Live With Your Blood || LingOrm

Chapter 12: A Past That Haunts

The clinic was clean and sterile, with the faint scent of antiseptic in the air. Bright fluorescent lights illuminated the white-tiled floors and medical equipment neatly organized along the walls. Orm sat on a cushioned chair near the treatment area, feeling the dull sting from the burn on her arm.

A doctor, dressed in scrubs, carefully examined her arm, gently applying a cooling ointment to the burn.

"You're lucky it wasn't worse," the doctor said in a calm, professional tone. "For burns like this, you'll need to keep the area moisturized and avoid exposing it to the sun for a while."

He continued giving instructions. "Change the dressing twice a day and apply the ointment to keep the skin hydrated. If the skin blisters, don't pop them. Let them heal naturally to avoid infection. You should also avoid tight clothing that might rub against the burn."

Orm nodded, taking in the doctor's advice. Once the bandage was secured, she stood, thanked him, and stepped out of the clinic just as her phone began to ring.

"Orm! Are you okay?" June's voice was frantic, filled with worry. "I heard what happened. I was finishing up the photoshoot, and then I found out. I'm coming to get you now."

"It's okay, June," Orm tried to calm her down. "I'm fine, really. The doctor treated me already, and I'm about to call for a ride."

"Don't! I'm almost there. Just wait for me at the clinic," June insisted. "I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Alright, I'll wait," she hung up and sat in the clinic's lobby after settle the payment at the counter.

Sitting along, she let her mind drift back to the strange encounter on the rooftop. Orm had followed Ling out of curiosity. The moment Ling chased after that mysterious man — Hen, she thought his name was — Orm had trailed behind them silently. She hid behind a water tank on the rooftop, listening to their heated conversation.

"Wow, look at you. No more harm to the sunlight," Hen's voice dripped with arrogance as he spoke. "Best friends with a human now, aren't you?" he sneered, his expression smug.

Ling's eyes narrowed. "Where have you been all this time, Hen?" she asked, dodging his insult with a question of her own.

"Pfttt, hahahaha!" Hen let out a harsh laugh. "You expect me to show my face after what you did to Prig?"

"You left me because of that?" Ling's face paled. "Hen, you know I did it for Prig! It was her request—I was trying to save us!"

"Save us?!" Hen's anger flared. "Cut the crap! Don't give me that! If you truly loved my sister, you never would've done it, no matter how 'noble' her request!"

"But... that's..." Ling's guilt was evident as her voice trembled. "It's in the past. I've lost Prig... I don't want to lose you too," she tried to reach for Hen's arm, but he pulled away.

"You lost me a long time ago," Hen's voice was icy.

He then leaned in close and whispered something to Ling. Orm strained to hear but couldn't make out the words. Whatever he said caused Ling's face to fall, her eyes wide with shock.

Without another word, Hen leapt to the next building, disappearing into the air. Ling stood frozen for a moment before chasing after him, moving too fast for Orm to follow, plus she could not even fly jump like them. But that didn't surprise Orm; after all, she already knew Ling wasn't human.

Orm's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing again. June had arrived. She stepped outside the clinic and saw June waving from the passenger seat of a white Mazda CX-5.