The Plague Doctor ©

K r y s t a l • K a l h a s

You awaken; groggy, tired, no recollection of the night prior. Every part of your body feels like you have been run over by a train.

"Ugh..." You only can manage that small sound before you try and reach for the tall, ice-cold glass of water that sits next to your bed. You hear chains raddle and clank before you feel your arm jerk back to the bed, like a spring. You try a few more times before you lean your head back onto the bed and somehow work out a soft, groaning, "Gre-at."

"Easy, Miss Kalhas," A husky voice carrying an accent you don't recognize gets close to your bed, pushing you down softly, "You must take it easy." Your vision is blurry, but you can make out a large male.

"Wh-at hap-pen-ed?" You stutter out as the blurry human-shaped object gets closer and sits you up for some water. You blink a few times, trying to adjust your eyes to the blinding light of a place that reeks of sickness and death.

"I think it best if we do not talk about that, at this moment." He uses the gentlest touch you lay you back on the hospital bed.

"Ba-by..." You stamper, "Wh-at a-bout m-y ba-by..." Your eyes grow horrified at the thought that you didn't lose it.

"Miss Kalhas," His voice is stern yet calming, "We mustn't get your blood pressure too high, you are still in critical."

Your vision starts to put defining shapes and colors to the blob-ish form. The RN has heavenly dark chocolate skin with stunning milk chocolate eyes. His left eye, however, seems to be a bit lighter in shade and you notice he seems to primarily use his right eye. You notice that there is a long, old scar down the center of his left eye, which explains his primary use of his right.

"Wh-at i-s yo-ur na-me?" You finally manage to stamper out as the RN moves to leave your confounding room.

"Nakota Mosanta."

You nod, putting your head back onto the pillow and falling into a deep slumber.

A few hours later you are abruptly awakened by loud talking. You can't make if you know the voices or not, but you play as if asleep to see what they are talking a

"You knew damn well that it wouldn't work! Why did you risk the Unborn!?"

"Relax, child, 'tis all apart of the plan." Your bones begging to ache as you recognize the second voice.

"Are you sure, Castor?" The first voice chimes in.

"Child," There is a short pause, "If the Mother of Death thought it was time to take our beloved Krystal away, she would have done it."

Your breaths become labored and quick, your fight-or-flight survival mode kicked in as soon as you heard the second persons' voice.

You decide it's best to stay put and quiet.
What seemed like twenty minutes - probably just two - The second voice speaks again, "It just proved that Krystal is meant to bare the Electus. Relax, Child Esther, it will work out."

Your eyes widen, Esther?! Your own sister tried to kill you!? And now she's more worried about a goddamn prophecy than your safety!? Your older sister who raised you!?

You somehow manage to calm your breathing and set it back to a normal, sleeping rhythm.

Esther speaks again, "But if the Electus isn't born to bring eternal peace to the Family, we might never get this chance again!"

When those words leave your sisters mouth, your blood begins to boil, your mind goes straight to assaulting your former guardian.

"Child Esther," The Castors voice is chilling calm, sending shivers down your spine. You squeeze your eyes shut, hoping he doesn't notice, "The Mother of Creation did not allow her sister, the Mother of Death, to take our beloved sister away. Our Mother has plans."

You hear the footsteps walk out of the room before a second pair walks close to your bedside, "You scared me, Child." The Castor whispers in your ear, his hot breath sends shivers down your spine, "I wouldn't want my Electus to not be born."

You feel pressure on the bed as someone moves on top of you, their hands on either side of your body, his hips rest on yours, the feeling of your gown moving up your legs sends you into a panic. Yet, you are too afraid to move. And so, you sit there, waiting for it to be over. 

The sound of the door opening grabs your attention as you feel the Castors' hands moving his clothing away from your lower region. 

"Mistor," The heavily accented voice from earlier rings out in a protective tone. You feel the Castor get pulled off by someone much stronger, "May I ask what you doing with Miss Kalhas?" 

"My Child needs her Castors seed, it will help her--" 

Nokota cuts the Castor off, "Sir, this is a hospital, you not allowed to do that here." His voice is stern, "Try again, and I throw you out." 

"Do you know--" 

Nokota cuts the Castor off again, "Leave Miss Kalhas' room, now. I not ask again."

Nokota walks to the door and holds it open, "Out. Or I make you." 

The Castor holds his head high as he walks out, "I'll be back, Child." 

The Castor turns around once outside the room to say something, but Nokota shuts the door in his face.

"I know you awake." Nokota's voice is softer and full of sympathy. 

You are unable to talk. Instead, tears run down your face as you just cry.

"Fear not, Miss Kalhas," Nokota speaks, "He not allowed back. No one allowed in unless you say." 

You breathe a sigh of relief before Nokota sits by your bedside, "Rest, Miss Kalhas. I shall wait here until you wake." 

You slowly nod, turn over, and fall asleep, trusting the stranger.