The Plague Doctor [RATED R] ✓

(3) Doctor's Diagnosis

⚕︎

"AND THESE ARE THE rooms," Adeline says as we arrive at a corridor with iron doors. The atmosphere was gloomy, but at the same time, one could feel hopeful. Maybe I'm just thinking too much of it though.

     "For now, we're not allowed to enter five of these rooms, but those at the end are for SWLs so we're required to keep an eye on them as much as we can," Adeline continues to explain.

     I stare at the said rooms and don't dare come close to any of them. Adeline mentioned earlier that SWLs are patients that are suicidal. Knowing that somehow makes my stomach churn. It's like knowing that a person is sick, but they don't want to get cured and would rather just face euthanasia.

     "Adeline, how long have you been staying here?" I ask as the two of us finally walk away from the unnerving rooms.

     "A year and two months; when I was fifteen. During that time it was only me, Mr. M, and the master. Mr. M has been taking care of me and has been teaching me a lot of things during those times," she answers.

     I look at her again, and her eyes suddenly seemed distant. I was about to say something about it, but then she blinks and quickly adds, "And the master is kind too."

     Somehow, something about that last statement felt off, but I decide not to push her into explaining it to me further. Mr. M told me last night that Adeline has only spoken to him once, so it's safe to say that Adeline is very conscious of others, which is why I have to be cautious around her too.

     "Is he kind because he gave you your own art studio?" I ask her instead.

     Adeline doesn't say anything for a couple more seconds until we reach the stairs. As we walk down the steps, Adeline touches her chest and nods her head. "He said I have a talent. He saw me use mud to draw on the walls when I was at the greenhouse with Mr. M, so he made me start painting."

     "Do you enjoy it?" I ask next, but Adeline doesn't answer me anymore.

     We eventually reach the second floor, and I could tell that Adeline was starting to look uncomfortable, so I walk in front of her and show her a bright smile, making her look at me with furrowed brows.

     "You know what, I know someone who loves to paint. Her name is Alice. I thought she was good at it, but when I saw your paintings, I realize that she's not so good after all! I was blatantly fooled!" I jokingly say, and Adeline stares at me before finally covering her mouth to hide her laugh.

     I smile in relief and move closer to her. I was about to ask Adeline if she could teach me how to paint, but then a quick and high-pitched bell was suddenly heard throughout the manor, surprising me. Adeline flinches at the sound too, and before I can even ask what the bell is for, Mr. M suddenly appears in front of us, his hands and clothes covered in dirt like he was gardening just moments ago.

     "Bishop, fix yourself. The master is here. He arrived earlier than I expected. He's been gone for two weeks, so he's probably tired and not in a good mood," Mr. M suddenly tells me, making me widen my eyes from shock.

     "O-Oh no, Bishop isn't here," I tell him, and Mr. M angrily looks back at me, grabbing my arm and looking me straight in the eyes, probably checking if I was lying to him or not. But when I reacted to his strong hold, Mr. M immediately let go of me and takes a deep breath. "Call him back. The master has to meet Bishop, not you."

     "But—"

     "Head to the lobby as soon as Bishop arrives. Adeline, let's go," Mr. M says, and before I can even say anything else, the two rush downstairs, leaving me standing helpless.