“God, this place is a dump. It reeks,” stated Elizabeth, her face contorting at the cracked tiles and liquids oozing out between the walls.

Juro gave her the side eye, but she responded with an annoyed shrug. He faced Elizabeth and casually asked, "Your mom works here, right?"

"My step-mom works here," she replied, a snarky tone seeming to leech into her words.

"Right, sorry." He lightly tapped Morrigan on her shoulder, whispering, “Make sure you don’t draw too much attention. They can’t find out, okay?”

“Yup, I won’t go to anyone who’d report it anyways. Everyone here wants the best for the patients, and most are volunteers.” Morrigan approached the front desk and gave her warmest smile which was met with exhausted eyes.

“Hey, Morrigan. How can I help you?” The receptionist attempted to give her a welcoming greeting, but the fatigue that plagued her dark complexion won over like two wet fingers killing a candle flame.

“I was just here to pick up some of my dad’s medicine. These two are my friends, they’re just accompanying me.” Morrigan pitied the receptionist. It was clear that she wasn’t paid much and that she was overworked, but her passion for public service still shone through. If only she had the opportunity to exercise it better.

“Of course, you know the way to the pharmacy. I hope your dad is doing well, he was really a beloved patient among us,” she sighed, scratching the back of her head. “It’s so hard now with how bad the famine became. I’ll keep your family in my prayers.”

“Thank you so much, ma’am. He appreciates it very much, and I’ll make sure to relay the message." She gave a small bow of her head to show respect before continuing.

The three headed down the hall, led by Morrigan who made a discreet turn towards the critical care unit. Visits were heavily encouraged, and it was normalized even for non-family members due to the severe isolation that the patients had to endure. Most of the patients were going to die anyways, in excruciating pain with no one to comfort them through their shrieks other than the scurrying cockroaches that infested the hospital. The first room they entered was small and stuffy, an elderly patient with an incredibly high fever lying in a rotting bed suspended on rusting metal wheels. Morrigan recognized her from past hospital visits. She had been suffering from pneumonia for weeks and was unable to receive proper treatment. Morrigan entered the room but warned Juro and Elizabeth to wait outside. Even though this woman’s pneumonia wasn’t contagious, Morrigan didn’t want to take any chances with her friends. She sat beside her and removed her gloves, placing them into her jacket’s pockets.

“How are you feeling, ma’am?” Morrigan slowly placed her hand on the old woman’s soft yet sagging skin and swirled her thumb over the back of her hand the same way she had with her father.

The woman slowly opened her eyes and gestured towards her throat, barely able to lift her finger. Morrigan tried to lessen the pain in her throat with her powers, carefully observing the woman to make sure she made no mistakes. The woman slowly opened her mouth, her white tongue and cracked lips croaking out “water.”

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Morrigan quickly reached for the glass on the bedside table and put the straw in the woman’s mouth, watching her slowly drink it.

“Thank you, Morrigan,” she said, her voice shaky but better. Morrigan pulled out a normal mint from her pocket and quickly unwrapped it.

“I wanted to give you something. This is a new pill that recently came out. You need to swallow it if possible, but it should be able to cure most of your symptoms. One of my friends, a high-end doctor, gave me the pill, and it’s not very accessible elsewhere.”

The woman looked skeptically at Morrigan, but knowing her inevitable death was quickly approaching, she took the mint and quickly swallowed it. She seemed to struggle for a moment, her weak hands clutching her chest and gripping her gown, as if choking on the mint before she finally relaxed. At this point, Morrigan believed that she should be relieved of most of her symptoms other than a left over cough and buildup, but the majority of fluid should have left her lungs. Morrigan couldn't completely heal her and bring her back to shape, but she could alleviate and stop any of the critical symptoms.

“How are you feeling?” Morrigan peered deeply into her eyes, anxiousness coursing through her as she awaited a response.

The woman coughed a bit, trying to clear her throat. "That was very spicy," she said, letting out a small chuckle at the end before clearing her throat once more.

Feigning perplexion at what was clearly just the minty flavor, Morrigan replied, “Oh...I guess that's why you swallow it with the water?” She ended with a nervous laugh as she ran her fingers through her hair.

“I feel so much better already, Morrigan. Thank you.” Fatigue was still present on her face, most likely from the long-term hunger that had plagued her for so long, but her eyes finally shone with life instead of death's hazy cast.

Morrigan smiled and nodded, incredibly pleased and grateful at how her powers really could save the ordinary citizens. “These are the supplies Leiths have available. Not us, though. I'm going to be heading down some more units here to help the patients, although these pills only work for some symptoms.”

“That’s incredible, thank you so much, Morrigan! Oh, I am so glad to see you again. It has been so long since anyone's come to see me. My son, he was drafted into the war, and I'm too weak to return home and see if he sent me a letter. Although, I guess I should be glad I won't know if it's a flag and a letter from the government," she paused, staring ahead solemnly before looking down at her feeble hands. "How is your dad doing? He hasn’t been here for a while.”

“He’s doing really well. I think that with this new pill, he’ll be able to start making a recovery. The possibilities are endless with Leiths, but it’s just about us having the opportunity to use their technology and medicine.” She replied, trying to comfort the woman's anxiety.

“I am sure your mother and father would be so proud of you, Morrigan. You are truly a great person and have a good heart. Your father made sure everyone knew that. He's so proud of you.”

“Thank you, miss. I really do appreciate it, and I'm sure my father does as well. Do you need anything else before I head out?”

She let out a small laugh and gently shook her head. “I'm okay now, Morrigan. Go help the others.”

“Goodbye miss!” Morrigan stood up and left the room, trying to gently shut the door that violently creaked, barely hanging onto its hinges.

As Morrigan entered the hallway, she gave a big smile and thumbs up to Elizabeth and Juro. "It works, it really works! Ready to head on to the next room?" She couldn't stop herself from beaming at them. She really could save so many lives with her powers, and she'd be the first Leith to do so. Before they could continue on, a meek but audible voice seemed to resound in her head.

[Wait.]