Short Story Compilation

The Best Medicine Chapter 1

In the middle of the distant woods, far away from the quaint towns and bustling cities, laid a large mansion. A mansion far too large for it's only inhabitant, a woman named Ange.

A frail looking woman with long blonde hair rested in a elegantly crafted canopy bed, gazing longingly out the window at the rising sun that shone so brilliantly outside.

Ah, how beautiful... It would be nice to be able to go to the town again, and see everyone and everything up close, she thought, reminiscing on the past times that now seemed too far gone to ever get back again.

Ange's thoughts were interrupted by a set of footsteps approaching her chamber door, the same sound she had heard a hundred times before. She smiled softly upon hearing it.

Lloyd must be here to visit me again. Even now, he's such a good child. After waiting for a moment, the large door creaked open, a handsome young man with slicked back blonde hair standing in the doorway with a small basket in his hands.

"Good morning, Mother. I do hope you've been feeling alright." he said with a gentle and concerned look on his face.

"I'm afraid it's been getting worse, Lloyd... But, it's okay. I have you here, don't I? Even death doesn't seem too bad when my beautiful son is with me." Her reply had a hint of sadness, almost untraceable to anyone but Lloyd.

Lloyd walked closer to her bedside, standing in front of the window, now seeming to be surrounded by its light. He set the basket on a small table next to her bed, the only other things on it being books Ange had already read too many times to count.  

"I brought you some medicine and food, Mother. The doctors weren't sure on what to give you, but I do hope it will help, even just a little bit..." Ange looked over at the basket Lloyd had set down, gazing at the beautiful fruit and small containers of medicine nestled inside of it.

"Thank you very much, my dear... But..." Ange seemed hesitant to continue her sentence. "But, you don't have to bring me things like this anymore, my dear. I've been told that there is nothing we can do a hundred times before, and I've finally accepted it. All I need is you by my side when this body finally gives up on me." She forced a motherly smile, tears welling up in her eyes.

"But, Mother, you can't give up!" Lloyd protested. "I can bring you everything you need! Food, medicine...whatever will make you finally be okay..." His words tinged with anger and despair slowly trailed off into silence, as the young man began to sob.

Bursting into tears, he hugged Ange as she gasped in surprise. She wrapped her arms around him, stroking his hair softly as she would when he was a little boy.

I haven't seen Lloyd cry in so many years... It makes me want to cry, too... Without even realizing it, Ange began to cry as well. Mother and son embraced each other for the first time in too long.

Lloyd eventually let go, and stepped back. Looking up at him, Ange wiped her tears away. Lloyd's expression seemed different than usual. After an eternity of silence, Lloyd spoke.

"Mother... Recently, I've heard of a special medicine that can cure anything. And I'm going to get it for you." His tone sounded determined, and Ange seemed surprised at his sudden change.

"...I don't think any medicine can cure everything, my dear. I've never even heard of such a thing." "Well, I have. And I'm going to find it, Mother, for your sake." Without saying another word, Lloyd strode towards the door, exiting and leaving Ange all alone again.

Ange whispered, now knowing no one else was there to hear her. 

"Lloyd...Please be back soon."