chapter 3
841 Words
Then Mira spoke without turning around.
"Finish your food. You'll be coming with me later."
Rose looked at her, confused.
"Where?"
Mira put down her spoon.
"To the clinic."
Rose frowned.
"The clinic?"
Mira nodded.
"You got a job there."
"I never went for an interview."
"It's a favor from a friend," Mira replied.
"Okay..."
That morning, they left the house together.
The town looked the same as before.
This time, Rose noticed something.
People greeted Mira.
Not warmly.
Not openly.
Just small nods.
Like they were acknowledging someone important.
Rose frowned slightly as she walked beside her.
"You didn't tell me you were well known here."
Mira didn't look at her.
"It's not important," she said simply.
People still stepped aside as they passed.
They walked along the road again.
Rose's steps slowed without her realizing it.
The forest was visible from there.
Rose stared at it.
Mira noticed.
"Don't look at it for too long," she said quietly.
Rose turned her head.
"Why?"
Mira paused before answering carefully.
"Because it starts looking back."
Rose frowned.
"That doesn't make any sense."
Mira didn't correct her.
She simply kept walking.
They reached a building at the edge of town.
A sign hung above the entrance.
COMMUNITY CLINIC
Rose stopped.
"This is where I'll be working?"
Mira nodded.
"Yes."
She pushed the door open.
Warm air and a faint herbal scent drifted out.
Inside, people were already moving about.
Some were in pain.
Some were waiting.
Some were simply watching.
Rose hesitated at the doorway.
It didn't feel like a normal clinic.
Mira was already walking inside, so Rose followed.
The clinic was busy.
People moved quickly, but not carelessly.
A woman sitting at the front desk looked up as Mira entered.
She immediately stood.
"Miss Mira," she said respectfully.
Mira nodded.
"Any updates?"
"Two cases," the woman replied.
Mira gave a slight nod before continuing deeper inside.
Rose followed.
People stepped aside as Mira passed.
They entered a side corridor.
The scent of herbs grew stronger.
Rose slowed her pace.
Mira stopped in front of a door and turned slightly.
"You'll observe first."
Rose frowned.
"I already know how to observe."
Mira looked at her, then opened the door.
Inside, a man sat on the examination bed, clutching his bandaged arm.
He was sweating.
Restless.
Rose stepped in behind Mira.
She studied the injury.
It appeared to be a fracture, possibly caused by blunt-force trauma.
Not life-threatening.
But if left untreated, it could become much worse.
Mira walked past her and examined the man's arm.
"Still hurts?" she asked calmly.
The man nodded.
"It's getting worse."
Mira didn't react immediately.
Her fingers pressed gently around the bandage before she sighed.
"You didn't rest."
The man shifted uncomfortably.
"I tried... Work..."
Mira cut him off.
"Work can wait," she said firmly.
Rose watched quietly.
There was no panic.
No rush.
Only calm control.
As though this happened every day.
Mira stepped back.
"Rose."
Rose looked up.
"Yes?"
"Sterilize the tools on that tray."
Rose hesitated before moving.
She examined the tray.
Forceps.
Gauze.
Antiseptic solution.
Basic medical equipment.
She immediately began sterilizing the instruments.
The patient glanced toward her.
"She's new?"
"Yes," Mira answered.
Rose focused on her task.
The room felt strange.
Not physically.
It was the way everyone breathed.
The way they seemed careful not to disturb something unseen.
When she finished, she returned the sterilized tools to the tray.
Mira nodded once.
"Good."
Rose blinked at the brief approval.
It wasn't emotional.
It was simply acknowledgment.
Mira adjusted the man's arm.
"We'll set it properly now. Hold still."
The man tensed.
Rose stepped closer.
"Do you want me to assist?"
Mira paused before looking at her.
"Are you afraid of blood?"
Rose frowned.
"I studied medicine."
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then Mira said,
"Don't make mistakes."
The next few minutes passed quietly.
No unnecessary conversation.
Only instructions.
Rose assisted.
Slowly, her expression began to change.
This wasn't an ordinary town clinic.
The way Mira worked...
The way people never questioned her...
It wasn't just respect.
It was recognition.
When they finished, Mira secured the fresh bandage.
"Done."
The patient let out a long breath.
Relief flooded his face.
"Thank you," he muttered.
Mira nodded.
"Rest properly this time."
As they left the room, Rose followed Mira into the corridor.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Rose finally asked,
"Aunt Mira... why do they listen to you like that?"
Mira didn't stop walking.
"They don't listen to me."
Rose frowned.
"That doesn't look like 'not listening.'"
Mira glanced at her.
"It doesn't matter what it looks like," she said quietly.
"What matters is what happens when you don't listen."
Rose frowned again.
"That still isn't an answer."
Mira stopped walking.
Her eyes sharpened.
"Nightroot doesn't run on understanding."
"It runs on survival."
Rose held her gaze.
"I didn't come here to be confused."
There was a brief pause.
Then a loud crash echoed from deeper inside the clinic.
Metal slammed against the tiled floor.
A shout followed.
- Writer
