Dream Beyond Life's Edge

Seeking Epidemic

Guarding Talia's body, Alexia poised her on the shelves before heeding Talia's advice. She grabbed the container's lid and opened them both. Full. And a gentle smile pained Alexia's mouth.

Even while sick, she still outdid me... Alexia thought.

Alexia grabbed Talia, secured her behind her back, took the two containers, and dashed out of the hospital. Then, Danberg. Arriving at Lipest, Alexia went to the hospital and graced the now unconscious Talia onto her bed, next to Joseph's.

Talia had done much, notwithstanding her state. All they had to do was do as she advised.

At a spot near the middle and running on the walls, the ill who had begun bleeding were clumped to ease the doctors' and healers' work. Alexia ran to the section and gave them the curtains of life.

As one doctor opened and examined the insides, another asked, "How many are there?"

"Twenty... Thirty... Thirty six."

As the doctors discussed, Alexia looked around the hospital. And one observation she made: they didn't have enough doctors. Compared to Danberg's fifty to sixty, Lipest held little more than twenty.

"There aren't enough."

"Huh." The doctor's words clutched Alexia's attention. "What'd you mean? Only fifteen people are bleeding."

"As of current. The number will grow, and we can't manage it. We're trying our best, but really, we're unprepared and unused to dealing with the sickness."

Disconcerted by the doctor's admission, figures of Talia and Julius formed in Alexia's mind.

"Rather than staying here, help the evacuation," Flaer interjected, pointing to an ill's bedside where a child, golden of hair, stood. "That kid is healthy. Escort her out."

With the mass evacuation nearly done, the people left in Lipest were mostly the essentials—doctors, high mana healers, and the sick—who were unable to freely do anything, while Alexia's job was mostly finished, leaving active and miscellaneous tasks. Though... why there was a kid in the hospital, Alexia didn't understand.

Agreeing, Alexia approached the bed. Maybe around four or five young, the girl was tall only to Alexia's belly. "Hey..." she crouched to the girl's height, "...don't worry, I'll guide you out."

"But my mom..."

Alexia gazed at the women sleeping on the bed. "The doctors and healers here are skilled. I'm sure your mother would be fine. Now, come on, let's leave before you get sick." She offered a hand to the girl

The girl nodded firmly, accepting Alexia's offer. By Alexia's side, she walked some distance before turning and looking at her mother.

"What's your name?" Alexia asked, wanting to distract her.

"I'm Claire." She looked at Alexia. Good. All Alexia needed to do was continue the conversation.

"Do you know where we're going?" Alexia asked.

"Um... the next village?"

"Close, but no." Alexia shook her head. "It isn't Sittso, just somewhere near."

"Ohh..." Claire cocked her head. "Then, next to the forest?"

"Yes! You're correct!" Alexia exclaimed. "You're so smart! How come you know so much?"

"My dad used to teach me."

Claire was probably five then... Four seemed too low of an age to have been taught these. "How old are you?"

"Five, but I'm having my birthday three weeks from now."

"Nice! You're getting bigger! And hopefully smarter too..." Nearing six, shouldn't Claire already understand the need to evacuate? "Who taught you those things?"