Ivory Chronicles

Act III - Resurgence Isle Part 5

Hearts Entwine in Calamity

Navigating carefully through the dimly lit back of the hospital, we approached a rear entrance, trying to avoid drawing attention. The desperate camp outside the front made the less guarded back route seem like a mercy in disguise.

"So, Leo mentioned a little window around here they don't use much," Fabian whispered, scanning the area. "It should be just around this corner."

True to Leo's word, we found the small window tucked away behind an overgrown bush. It looked like it hadn't been used in a while, but a new set of bolts suggested someone wanted to keep it secure. Fabian grinned and, with a swift, controlled motion, he used his super strength to snap the bolts cleanly. The window swung open with a creak that seemed too loud in the quiet of the night.

We slipped inside, the stale air of the unused room greeting us. We paused, listening for any signs of movement. The hospital was mostly quiet, save for distant voices that we steered clear of. Moving cautiously, we navigated through dimly lit corridors, searching for something that resembled a medicine room.

On a counter, a doctor was looking through some notes. Without hesitation, Fabian approached her, covering her mouth with one of his hands. She jumped from the surprise but remained calm. "We are not going to hurt you," Fabian said as I approached them. "We're just looking for medicine for someone named Mayra. She has two kids, is very sick, and can't get up from the bed. After that, we'll leave. Please don't scream." He started to remove his hand from her mouth slowly.

The doctor, whose name tag read Dr. Ramirez, didn't seem fazed by Fabian and calmly replied, "You're talking about Mayra Robayo? She has severe asthma complicated by chronic bronchitis. Without her medications, she'll die in a few days. Let me guide you to the room and give you the medicine she needs." Fabian looked at me, raising an eyebrow, silently asking if we could trust her. Dr. Ramirez quickly added, "You want me to blindly trust two strangers with powers, but you can't trust a doctor?"

I thought about it for a second, but she did sound genuine. "Let's follow her," I said to Fabian, who removed his hands from her and pointed to his eyes and then to hers, indicating that he was watching her closely.

Dr. Ramirez fixed her coat and started to walk down the right corridor, with us following closely. "So you're one of the 'good' doctors who actually care for their patients?" Fabian asked sarcastically.

"I do, actually. That's why I came to this small island to work—to personally know my patients and to help them with all their needs, both medically and emotionally. Mayra is a very sweet lady who's been dealt a bad hand, but she has the most caring boys in the world." She smiled, clearly thinking of Leo and Diego. "She just needs someone to help and guide her. I'm glad you guys are helping her. I bet it was all Leo's idea," she said, turning to Fabian with a grin.

Fabian seemed uneasy, clearly not expecting her to be so genuine. Looking away, he replied, "Well, it was my idea, but he did tell me how to sneak in. Now that you mention it, maybe this was his plan all along. What a clever kid." Fabian now had a grin of his own. "So, what are you doing working with that monster, Dr. Moreno?"

"Dr. Moreno was transferred here from the USC to help us with medicines and set up new equipment. They told us he used to run a medical lab before, and after the storm passed, the government left this hospital for USC officials only and put Dr. Moreno in charge. I can see how he's using us for the USC's benefit."

"He's a horrible doctor. A liar and manipulator. He's as sadistic as they come," Fabian said, his tone serious, as if Dr. Moreno had personally wronged him.

"You know him, Fabian?" I asked, curious about his intense reaction.

He was silent for a moment, clearly contemplating whether to tell me or not. "He's someone from my past. Someone who changed me," he said in a deadpan tone.