Plague Doctor: Lost Isles

Act I - Black Swan.

"Father, have you seen a bird before?" Amicia asked. "I did, when I wasn't still blind. Why did you asked?" I said, scratching my neck. It was another day at the clinic. I couldn't help but wonder how the town looked like from now.

"Well, Father, I saw a swan at Uncle France's pond! It was too graceful, that I couldn't resist myself not looking at it, because I was picking lavender from our garden!" She said in a cheerful tone. "Hm? Tell me what a swan looks like, Amicia. Haven't seen one."

"Wait, you haven't seen one?!"
"I'm afraid not. So that's why I'm asking you."
"Oh! Well, Father, it's a bird in a pond! It has a long neck arched like half a heart! It looks like a duck, but its prettier. Did I mention it's black?" She said again in a cheerful voice.
"...Black swan...Did you know the term for that means 'impossible became possible?' " I said humbly to the child. "Really? So black swans are rare? What's the color of real swans then?" She replied with curiosity.
"I don't know, child."

Amicia was an adopted child I saw right over my doorstep when I was younger and not like "this." Ever since she went in my life, I was fulfilled. I treated her like my own, until now. She's a reason why I haven't gave up on life before. I remember those tough times where I was still new to being like "this," and almost ate a Lily Of The Valley, a flower, aside from being known for its symbolism in May's festivals, is very poisonous when eaten.

Then there was a knock at our door. "Amicia, will you please pick up my cane before we go?" I asked to the small girl. I could hear footsteps, probably Amicia obeying my request. As soon as I got the cane, I decided to go and open the door. It was a little tricky, but I'm used to it.

"Aunt Wigfrid! You're back!"

I was stunned for the moment I heard the name. Wigfrid's...back? The governess stated that she would be staying at Oasis' beloved desert valley, since Chaplin, our stupid chairman, has been stealing women for a while.

"Uh...heya, Alex." She spoke her first sentence. "How's life going?"

"Still here, breathing. Also, I missed ya, Frid. I haven't heard of you that much anymore. What made you go back to Valles?" I asked her. "Well, there's less supplies for teaching, as well as that thing with Chaplin is also there. Just much more worse." She replied, probably handling an imported cigarette from Spain, from what I could tell with the smoke.

"You...haven't stopped smoking, have you?"
"Ya guessed."
"Very obvious of you, Frid. I advice you to stop for a while."

She was murmuring something loud enough for normal ears, but not mine. Too ambiguous. "Uhm, what are you saying, Wigfrid? Can't hear you." I said in my usual tone of confusion. "Nothing, also let's go inside. I want to give something to Amicia. I'm sure she would love it." she said in a calming tone. "Really? Aunt Wigfrid has something to give me?" Amicia said, probably excited because of her tone.

"Oh, and come in. How a shame of me to not let you." I said, chinning.

Wigfrid walked in the clinic. "Well...it really looks more of an indoor garden than a clinic." She said, probably wandering around. I chuckled.

"Does it?" I said, confusingly. "I made the arrangements of the clinic! Did you like it?" Amicia said. "Mhm. Unlike those other ones that smell like weeds."

"You're the one who smells like weeds." I jokingly said. "Hey! How dare you!" Wigfrid angrily replied to me. "Don't take it serious, I was just kidding!" I sput my words back to her.

A moment of silence, then Wigfrid ambiguously whispered to Amicia. And then...

"Wow! A swan necklace! Thanks, autie." I heard Amicia in suprise. "Let me wear it for you then." Wigfrid replied.

"But I want Father to wear it for me!"
"But Father can't see, right?"
"Oh...ok."

Then a rumble in our door was heard.