The Fire Burns Bright

Bloodletting

I changed the previous chapters ending a bit. I'd recommend you check that out to understand this chapter. 

Kate's P.O.V

There's a flicker of silver in the dark folds of the creatures cloak. A knife. It has a knife.

"Fleam," Michael's murmur of information corrects me. "Th-that's a fleam." 

Clearly nervous as she was, Emma rolled her eyes at Michael. Then, she gave me a serious look, her eyes darting toward the door behind the plague doctor. I instantly understood. She thought that door may be unlocked. I shook my head, trying to tell her it wouldn't work. Too late. She'd already taken off running toward the door. 

Next, everything happened so quickly. One second, Emma was sprinting toward the door. The next, my little sister was in the grasp on the shadowy creature. My feet begin to move towards the monster that holds my sister. Emma throws kicks and punches, but it just stares apathetically at her, unfazed. I think the sick thing may even be smiling behind it's bird mask. 

"Don't you dare hurt her!" I shout, reaching for her. I glare at this sorry excuse for a doctor. 

"It must be done. Surely you understand, darling," it purrs grimly. 

"Wha- what must be done?" Michael asks, trembling. Something in his voice tells me he knows exactly what the plague doctor has planned. He's asking because he's praying he's wrong. 

"The bloodletting, of course. Tis the only way to get the illness out," the plague doctor explained curtly. 

"You're wrong!" Matt is screaming behind the door. I can hear his fists slamming against the wood. "It kills people! So many people died because of your unsound theories! You didn't help them! You killed them! You killed them, and now your going to kill my friends too! I  won't let that happen!" 

The 'doctor' blatantly ignores Matt's angry outbursts. He holds Emma by the back of her shirt. "So then. I thought this one might go first since she's so set on being brave."

"N-never! None of us!"Emma yells, choked by her shirt. When he presses the knife against her good arm, she freezes, wide eyed. 

"No!" I charge forward. "Let her go!"

The creature tilts its head to the side slightly, observing me. "Ah, so you'd like to go first then," it concludes. 

"That's not what I-" The motion of the fleam slowly toward Emma's arm. A vivid image in my head; Emma bleeding, dying.  "Stop! Stop. I'll do it. Just put her down!" 

"Very well," the plague doctor nods. He lets go of Emma's shirt, and she crumples to her knees, coughing.  

I run forward, taking her in my arms. "Emma! Emma, are you okay?" 

She nods slightly. Then she grabs my hand and says simply, "Don't."

"I have to. There's no other way," I tell her. I can hear the plague doctor tapping his foot as I give Emma quick hug. "I'll be fine," I reassure even  as my voice shakes. Then, I go to sit on the table. 

"Kate, no!" Michael calls helplessly. 

 "There, there," the 'doctor' assured apathetically. "I'm perfectly qualified." 

Startled, I realize that I'm already lying on the table. I don't remember lying down. I need to stay calm. For Emma and Michael. If I'm scared, they'll be even more scared. Stay calm. Stay calm. Still, my breathing speeds up, and I can feel sweat beading on my forehead. 

Then, the pain. I feel the blade inside my elbow. I gasp in a sharp breath, hissing through my teeth, "Shit." I suddenly feel dizzy. The idea of fainting scares me more than anything. I can't leave Michael and Emma to this alone. It shouldn't hurt this much. It's a strange thought but I know there's truth to it. This throbbing yet clear, slicing pain. The vein is cut. Somehow, I know this with grave certainty.