The Song of the Keepers

Chapter 49 Uncomfortable Conversations

All my life I had been unimportant. When I demanded for things, no one listened, no one cared. I recalled a time when I was twelve years old and Esha was seven. She had fallen ill, a bad case of the stomach flu, and we had taken her into the hospital. She was dehydrated, unable to keep anything down, throwing up every half hour on the dot. It had been overcrowded and despite my mother's ordering, begging, and eventual tears, they would not make us any sort of a priority. Finally, after six hours of waiting, we took her back home and cared for her as best we could. People like me and my family weren't important enough to be made a priority. The doctors hadn't cared if Esha lived or died that night.

But when I barreled into Los Eres Central Hospital that December night, Aylee's life slipping away before my eyes, I wasn't the invisible, unimportant, girl from Bel Rea anymore. I was a Keeper and the hospital staff jumped to my aid as quickly as they might have for Ranen.

"She was caught in the middle of a fight between the rebels and the Guards. Stabbed in the stomach with a 10-inch dagger."

I searched frantically for the nearest clock.

"Twenty minutes ago."

"You got her here quickly, we may have a chance at saving her."
A female nurse told me.

"Lay her on the stretcher, we'll need to get her into surgery ASAP."
Another nurse insisted.

I did as instructed, Aylee moaning and whimpering, her eyes rolling back into her head. They rolled her away, shouting out orders to one another. I took several steps backward, letting out a nervous breath. On the wall to my left hung a mirror and I realized I had forgotten to strap on my mask. In the waiting room behind sat a handful of people, one with an arm hanging at an odd angle, another who was dangerously pale and dripping in sweat. There were some who looked perfectly healthy and were likely there with a family member. All watched me in silence, a million questions in their gazes. I was certain they had never seen a Keeper attempt to save a life before.

I debated staying but I didn't want to create more of a stir than I already had. So instead I left the front desk nurse with Aylee's name, address, and specific instructions to call the palace when she was out of surgery. I chose to walk back to the palace, to give myself time to collect my emotions, in case I ran into one of my family members, Esha in particular, upon my return. It was after midnight by the time I entered the palace grounds and the greater portion of the residence was asleep. When I came into my chamber I found it lit dimly by the lamp in the corner, placed by an armchair that was occupied by the Prince. He was slumped over, fast asleep with a little bit of drool dripping down his chin. I smirked and shook my head, moving to the bathroom to change out of my bloodied clothing. After which I settled myself on the couch and waited for the servant that would eventually come to tell me of Aylee's fate. Luckily for my worn nerves, I didn't have to wait very long. There came a knock at the door that startled Ranen awake.

"How long have you been back?"
He asked in a gravelly tone.

"Not so long."
I replied, moving to the door.

"There was a call for you from the hospital Keeper Hadassah."
The young servant informed me, keeping his gaze on the carpet.

"And?"
I questioned impatiently.

"They said the girl with the stab wound made it through surgery and should make a full recovery given time."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, that'll be all."

The servant dipped his head politely before retreating back up the hall.

"Stab wound?"
Ranen repeated from his place in the chair, looking a bit more awake now.

I sighed heavily, pushing the door shut, returning to my place on the couch, and recounting my harrowing adventure to him.