Abnormal

2

"Thank you so much, Dr. Jin. You're an angel!" My patient happily cries while shaking my hand.

"It was nothing. Just keep taking those morning walks of yours." I tell him as I walk him to the door.

"I will! Thank you so much!"

"Mr. Oong really admires you." My assistant, Carla, giggles.

I sigh. 

"Instead of admiring me, I wish he would follow my instructions and eat healthier. Meat and potatoes aren't good for him every day." I run a hand down my face.

She giggles. "You know you'll have stubborn patients, Dr. Jin."

"His stubbornness made him need two surgeries." I huff before going back to my office.

"Hello, Dr. Jin!" My cleaning crew greets me.

"How was Mr. Oong's checkup?"

"A bit better than the first time." I chuckle.

"We're going to miss you when you leave, you know?" One of them sighs.

"Oh come now, you'll find a better boss than me." I smile.

"Not one that pays as nicely!"

I laugh at the comment.

"Thank you!" I yell back.

"Dr. Jin," my assistant knocks on my door.

"I'm going on a lunch run, would you like me to grab you some meat and rice from that shop nearby?"

I shake my head.

"No need. Besides that meat doesn't sit well with my stomach."

"Alright then. I'll be back soon." She says.

"Hey, Carla, wait for us so we can join you!" My cleaning crew calls out to her.

I deeply sigh while leaning back in my chair.

"Finally some peace and quiet."

Resisting the urge to groan in irritation when I hear the door open again, I force another smile.

"Drop the smile!"

"Namjoon, old friend!" I chuckle while he takes his jacket off to hang.

"You were probably about to go into a rage, weren't you?"

"I was starting to relax, so I actually was." I sigh in defeat.

"Typical," He shakes his head before taking a seat.

"Have you finished packing for tomorrow?"

I nod. "I have. But remind me why we're moving to this town."

My eyes widen with interest as he tells me how prisoners in the town we will be migrating to have been dying due to an unknown disease.

"Since you're the best doctor in our town, they would like you to come with me."

"You're my bodyguard, then?" I joke.

Namjoon rolls his eyes.

"I'm going because I'm also the best commander in our town. I just hope the prison here will be able to find someone good enough to replace me."

"I doubt it." I wave it off.

"You're the best leading officer this town has ever had. Your reputation as your father's son preceded you, Namjoon."

He sadly smiles. "May he rest in peace for his hard work as a single father and former commander."

"It almost seems like fate that our fathers knew each other...and how we continue the deal between them."

He slowly nods.

"Was the...product I bought you to your liking?"

"It had a bit of a foul aftertaste." I give a little shrug.

"But it was doable."

"Forgive me, my friend." I sadly mutter.

"For what?" He frowns.

"I'm sure continuing our fathers' deal is quite bothersome for you."

He waves it off.

"Nonsense. You would do the same for me if our places were switched."

"Even so," I sigh.

"You're not the  one with such a sick disease."

"It's part of who you are Jin. I won't shame you for what you prefer...as long as we keep this inside of our deal."

I nod.

"Of course."

"I should get home. I told my mother I would stop by to see her before I go home to finish packing."

"I'll see you tomorrow before we depart."