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27

27

I stood staring at my reflection for several minutes, attempting to figure out a plausible explanation on my shoulder. A passing thought flickered in my mind. Taking in a breath, I placed my hand over the small circle and shut my eyes. Just focus. I tightened my face as I pictured the wound, willing my mind to do something.

A wrinkled hand floated over my bare back. The same heat burned inside me. I gritted my teeth to endure its pain. Under the hand, there was a little flash of white light.

It was barely noticeable but if you were watching out for it, it was obvious. I opened my eyes and tried to get a grasp back on my breathing. Scavenging my mind for the meaning behind this vision, one stood out.

'It's talking about someone who has some power called 'energy healing'.'

Could it be? I shook my head. How could it? The file said it was someone else who died years ago. But with so many similarities, I wasn't convinced. I fought the urge to go on my search straight away and instead brought myself back to bed. Settling back into the soft sheets, a tiredness flew over me. My eyes started fluttering to a close that I couldn't keep off.

*****

It has always been interesting for me to observe how the other Sectors behave. Breakfast time was ideal for it. When I woke up in the infirmary, all the people I saw yesterday that were lying sick in bed were now looking fully revitalised and walking around. No more grey faces, instead there were rosy cheeks and smiles. The nurse from the previous day appeared back at the side of my cot.

With a large grin, he chirped, "Good morning! I see you're feeling much better today."

He carefully peeled away my bandages and touched off my shoulder. "Looks perfect!"

After thanking him, I let my curiosity expose itself. "How did you do it? It healed so quickly."

He laughed and tapped his own nose. "Charity's secret."

He placed a pile of clothes on to my lap. Patting them, he said, "Here's something for you to wear while we wash your clothes."

They'll wash my clothes for me here? Back in Science, your clothes were washed for you but it was done by machines. Something told me that said machines were not available here and that everything was done by hand. The nurse left my beside and slipped in with the people of the room.

Pulling myself out of bed, I hesitantly looked around. Seeing everyone was busy readying themselves and socialising, I seized my chance to rapidly pull on the clothes. I was left with two options; trousers or a skirt. I did hold up the skirt momentarily but quickly switched to the trousers. They were very soft against my skin and were only slightly too big at the waist. Not so big that they were unwearable, but rather more of a small inconvenience.

Pulling the loose shirt over my head, I kept an eye out for that nurse. I spotted him about to leave and scurried over. A last attempt of finding out something from him. But his responses were just smiles, chuckles, and shaking his head.