Claimed By Zodiacs

Chapter 18

#Blaire Bravesky#

Flamecaster Fortress, city of Abril

Two days. I was out cold for two friggin days. It was shown by a blinking signboard next to the clock. Woken by a nauseating smell, I blinked. I was in a state-of-the-art infirmary. Rows and rows of bottles filled the shelves. There were machineries and tools from the human realm too. One of them I recognized. A stethoscope? The medic was concocting something. It was suspiciously green...and gooey.

"Please... Spare me..from the horror..of that."

She yelped, her spoon on the ready. The dripping spoon found its mark on my left cheek. The smile was wiped off my face. Instead, it was I who was subjected to a startling welcome.

I made a sound that sounded like 'Gaaaah!' She ignored me, her threatening spoon still raised, ready to strike again.

"Goodness woman! First meetings shouldn't be this aggressive."

She grumbled incomprehensibly but it sounded like 'cheeky champions'. I shuffled, trying to move my arms, but it wouldn't move. I ended up twitching instead.

"What the-"

"Paralysis. We do that here."

"That is illegal!"

She proceeded as if she didn't hear me. "Patients sometimes become foolhardy despite health risks. It happens a lot, especially in a kingdom of warriors. A healer's got to do her job."

My lips twitched. I just noticed how numb my face was. I was just able to talk because of the horror of the gooey stuff on the table. Realizing I was under her mercy, I kept my cool.

"I'm awake now. Can I get my mobility back?"

She stepped closer, the spoon dipping back on the horrid contents of the cup. Stirring it casually, she said.
"You're cleared of all illness. No fracture. No heart ailments." The back of her palm touched my forehead. It was surprisingly warm. "No fever either. You don't happen to have asthma, do you? We could do a quick diagnosis."

I eyed the ghastly equipments, shining under the fluorescent lights.

"No. No asthma."

"No?" She sounded disappointed. "Okay, let's unparalize you." The cup was introduced to my nostrils.

Gaaaaah!

She pushed the cup closer.
"The antidote."

"You can't be serious? What do you even put in this thing?! Skunk dung?"

"Oh no! Not skunk dung."

I held my breath, tipped the cup with my lips, and gulped it in one go.

"Just golden scarab piss. Frog slime. Snake skin..."

My insides churned.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!"

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At last, I was able to escape the room of doom. I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the colors bombarding me. If the infirmary was painted in a friendly shade of green, the outside was in all shades of red and yellow. Dark brown walls. Red carpets. Maroon settees. Magenta couches. Blood red love seats. Red bricked fireplaces. Bright, yellow curtains. Tangerine lampshades.

Who is the decorator? I'd like to suffocate him to death.

A hand slapped me on the back, halting my hatred for the awful colors.

"Good timing as always."

It was the Scout leader again. He was dressed in casual shirt and jeans, the muscles straining under the cloth. His hair shone a bright red as sunlight flooded through the glass panes.