User blog:Wuldnakest/Guiding Light - A Will-O-The-Wisp Tale

Lucette coughed heavily again. She had contracted the plague a week ago, and since hasn't gotten any better. She looked at the door from her bed again. The doctor was due to come today, and rumor had it they were able to cure the afflicted, as long as they got to them quick enough. She took her gaze from the door, and looked at her left arm. Boils dotted her arm from her wrist, where the first boil appeared, all the way up to her shoulder. The plague had already taken her father, and now it was after her it seemed, and she was terrified by it. She hoped to the gods that she could be cured of it, and that this doctor could be their catalyst.



There was a knock at the door, and Lucette jumped. "C-come in," she said weakly. Obviously it was the doctor at the door, as she had no fiancée, and no more living friends to come see her.



The door creaked open, and the sound of rain rushed in carrying with it a cold wind. An arm covered in a black sleeve pushed open the door, followed by a figure draped in a cloak as black as night, with a long beak on his face underneath a flat-brimmed hat. The beak moved from pointing into the home, to looking directly at Lucille. Her heart began racing and she suppressed the urge to scream at the creepy anthropomorphic bird.



She watched it close her door and approach her bed, its walk extremely fluid and smooth, like it was floating. It had a satchel crossing its torso and carried a cane with a crow on it, stretching its wings wide. When the bird looked down to her, she yelped. It extended its gloved hand down to her cleaner right hand, and held it to comfort her.



<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"I know," he said with a voice not terribly deep or frightening when Lucette calmed herself, "I look scary."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette gripped the hand holding her own tightly, as if holding onto her own life. "W-why?" she asked after a few moments.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"It's all to protect me," he replied, "My long beak has flowers stored in it so I don't breathe in the foul-smelling plague, and my wax-covered clothing keeps the scents off my clothe's fabrics. Plus the priests are certain demons caused this plague, so hopefully I look scary enough to chase them away."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Y-you're the doctor?" Lucette asked. Memories of her dad telling her about the doctors' odd costumes from the first days of the plague came flooding back.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The doctor nodded, his beak moving up and down over Lucette. "Truthfully, I only think this costume is only good for keeping the fleas off." He shrugged and pulled his hand away from Lucette's. The warm leather was replaced by the cold air, and Lucette desperately wanted his hand back. "Can you still roll over?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette looked up at the doctor's beak. "What?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Can you roll over onto your stomach or sides if you need?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"I-I guess."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Good," the doctor held up his cane, "This isn't exactly pleasant to be poked by."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Oh, right," Lucette said, and she smiled for the first time in a while. "Yes, I can roll over if I want. Should I now?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Yes, if you would. I need to check how the disease has spread through your body, and that involves looking at your back."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"My...bare back?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The doctor nodded. "I won't be too intrusive."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette placed her hands at her side and moved herself to roll over. After some maneuvering, and a lot of strain on her weak muscles, she had made it. The blankets were pulled off of her, and the cold air bit at her skin underneath her night gown. She then felt the rounded tip of a wooden cane against her lower back, and then her shirt was being lifted. Luckily it only made it about half way before it stopped, and then the doctor replaced her shirt. She turned her head and watched the doctor write something on his notepad. "How is it?" she asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The doctor looked at her for a second or two before answering, causing Lucette's heart to sink. "Curable," the doctor lied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Are you sure?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"There are few incurable cases," the doctor replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette didn't want to pry any farther, knowing the doctor wouldn't directly answer her questions. "Should I move to my back now?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"If it's more comfortable for you," the doctor replied.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"It is," she told him. "Very much so."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Alright. Do you need help?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Y-yes," Lucette said feeling awkward asking a stranger to touch her body, "if you could."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Of course," the doctor replied. His cane moved under Lucette's belly, causing her to flinch, and then it began lifting her up, acting as a lever. When she was on her side, Lucette was able to roll herself onto her back. She relaxed and noticed her intense heartbeat in her throat, and how quickly it was beating for her weak and deteriorating body.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">She looked up at the doctor standing above her. "What will you do to cure me?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">She could see the doctor's eyes moving and looking at her through his glass portholes in his mask. "Some magic. I need to write your symptoms down here, and then take this list back to an alchemist who will make you a potion. I'll bring it back tomorrow for you."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette's body stiffened in fear. "You're going to...leave?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Well of course."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"You can't make the alchemist make the potion tonight, and then you can bring it back when he finishes?" she asked, the fear of being alone tonight was evident in her voice.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"No, absolutely not," the doctor replied, "The alchemists have many potions to make, each one unique to the person it's for. It wouldn't be possible for them to get to yours until tomorrow."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Her worrying increased, and she tried reaching for the doctor's gloved hand. "What if you made them do mine tonight?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"No, there's no way that could happen. I'm sorry. But I am sure you will wake up tomorrow."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The doctor's words comforted her a little bit, but Lucette was still terrified to be alone tonight. She had finally gotten another person into her lonely life, and she wasn't ready to let him go. "You're sure I'll wake up?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The doctor nodded. "Absolutely. You may even be awake before I arrive with your medicine, and I'll be here first thing in the morning."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"You promise?" Lucette looked up at him with wide eyes to appeal to him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Yes," the doctor nodded, "first thing in the morning. I promise."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette, while still not ready to let the doctor go, relaxed her body in her bed. "Good."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"You'll be fine. Some of my past patients have been weaker than you and survived remarkably long. I have no doubt I'll see you tomorrow." He reached out and gently stroked her hair.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette smiled again. "You're a sweetheart."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"I like to be," the doctor replied. He put away his  notepad and picked up his cane. "I will see you tomorrow."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"First thing in the morning," Lucette said after him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"First thing. And don't be afraid; we'll both be here. Bye," the doctor waved as he opened the door to the chilled rain outside.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Bye," Lucette said as the door closed behind the doctor. When she was alone again, she looked at the fire burning in the fireplace and frowned. "You don't know what it's like," she thought with envy towards the healthy and strong doctor, "to be weak and dying from something you can't do anything about." She looked away from the fire and outside. A black hat walked away into the heavy rain outside. "I wish I was in your place..." she whispered to everyone still unafflicted by the disease. She closed her eyes and exhaled when the sleepiness took over her body.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">*                                                                             *                                                                        *

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">There was a loud knock at the door, tearing Lucette from her sleep. Her eyes shot open and her head raised from the pillow, and she looked at the door. She noticed it wasn't raining, but it was still dark under the thick blanket of clouds. The knocking came again, and Lucette relaxed herself. "Come in...please," she weakly called out.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The door creaked open, allowing a bird-like figure to walk in and shut the door behind him. In his right hand was his cane, his left arm cradled a book, and a vial of glowing liquid hung from his belt. Lucette looked at the mask's eyes and she knew it was the same doctor from yesterday. Her heart fluttered slightly at the realization, and a small smile made its way onto her face.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"First thing," the doctor's familiar voice comforted her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"First thing," Lucette repeated, "And you were right; I'm awake."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"I told you," the doctor replied as he pulled the vial from his belt. "And here is your potion. It's supposed to make you sleep, but I'll be here during all that time, as per the alchemist's instructions." Lucette smiled again knowing she wouldn't have to sleep alone again. She reached out for the potion but the doctor pulled it away. "No, I'm supposed to feed it to you. So none of it spills."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Oh, right," Lucette said. With weak arms, she lifted herself to lean against the headboard of her bed with her pillow between the wood and her back. She set herself into position and sighed. How she missed the days when simply sitting upright was an effortless task. She gave an envious glance to the healthy, strong doctor at her side who was removing the cork from her vial. He held it to her, and she opened her mouth. The vial's rim touched her lips and its medicine poured into her mouth. A sweet flavor like a raspberry's touched her tongue and moistened her dry mouth. She swallowed every last drop of the potion as her doctor ordered, and she lay back down.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Remember, it's supposed to make you sleep, so don't keep yourself awake when you feel tired," the doctor said. "You lie down. If you need me, I'll be in the other room reading."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"C-could you stay and read me part of your book?" Lucette asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The doctor laughed. "No. Given your condition, I really don't think you'd want to hear what I'm reading."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"What book are you reading, then?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The doctor reached into his satchel and pulled a book halfway out, just enough for Lucette to read the title: "INFERNO."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">She had heard of that book before and what it talked about. "No, you're right. I don't really want to hear what your book has to say."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"I know," the doctor chuckled. "Rest well. I'll be in the other room."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette nodded and watched him leave. He went through the open doorway and placed his bag at the kitchen table. She watched as he sat in the same spot as her dad used to, and he opened his book and started reading. She slowly closed her eyes and waited for the medicine to take effect.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette awoke calmly in her bed and gently opened her eyes. She looked to the kitchen to find the doctor was gone. His satchel, book, and everything of his was gone. She was worried, almost panicked now that she was alone again. She stirred a little bit, causing a rustling sound under her pillow. With effort, she reached her arm up and found a note.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Lucy, it's now 5 o'clock. I must get home, unfortunately. I checked your pulse and everything, so I know I'm not leaving you to die. I actually expected the potion to keep you asleep longer than I could stay. I'll see you again tomorrow to discuss how the potion will have helped. Until then, sleep well. Yours, Sinclair."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette set the note on her bed. "How could he?" she thought, "Why must he abandon me every night, especially when I'm so frail?" She sighed. "I shouldn't be so selfish," she lamented out loud. "Plus...more sleep so I'll be well rested for my doctor tomorrow." She smiled slightly as she thought of him. Hopefully she would be well enough to move around for him, instead of just lie in bed the whole time. She glanced over at her vial. "Please work," she said aloud. She closed her eyes again, her tired body already eager for more sleep.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">*                                                                             *                                                                        *

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette opened her eyes again. She paused and examined herself. Her belly didn't ache, her throat was calm, and her energy was entirely back to normal. "The potion worked? The doctor will be so happy!" she thought. "I'll be able to stand up for him," her eyes lit up, "and maybe he'll let me hug him?" She happily quivered and she looked around the room wondering when her good doctor would arrive.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The sun had risen, as was evident by the gray clouds outside her window, but her house seemed to be less vibrant than normal. "Perhaps it's just the thick clouds outside?" Lucette wondered to herself. She glanced around the room and everything was as it had been. The clock's ticking seemed much louder than before, however. It said half past seven, midway through dawn.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">A knocking came from the door. "That's gotta be my good doctor," she thought. "Come in," she called out, her voice loud and clear again. There was no response. "I said, 'come in!'" she called again. Another round of knocking was her response, this time louder. "Maybe his mask is blocking his ears today?" She tried to stand up, but found herself anchored to her bed for some reason. She looked behind her. There was nothing keeping her to her bed, and she began to become frightened again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The door unlocked from the outside, and Lucette stared at the door creaking open, being pushed by a black-cloaked doctor. She sighed with relief by the familiar sight. "Please, come in. I was just getting scared-" The sight of another doctor interrupted her. "Good Doctor, who is this?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Sshh," Sinclair shushed his companion, "I think she's still sleeping."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"What?" Lucette became confused and the terror was slowly growing again, "I'm clearly awake. If this is some kind of joke, you need to stop it now!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"I'm not sure, Claire," the other doctor replied, his voice at normal speaking volume, "She should have woken up from our knocking."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"You know I hate being called that," Sinclair replied. "I'll check her. Then we'll know for sure." He extended his cane towards her throat. Lucette could feel it gently press against her skin. The Good Doctor adjusted it several times before giving up and letting his cane stand vertically on the floor again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"I told you," the other said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"No! No!" Lucette screamed with tears in her eyes, "Please stop this! You've had your fun. Sinclair," she looked at the doctor's eye portholes, "Sinclair, please...I'm frightened."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Sinclair looked at his companion. "Well obviously your medicine didn't work! Maybe you mixed it wrong?" he accused him with anger in his loud voice.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"You think this is my fault?" the other asked, "Look at her, she's clearly been sick for a long time. That's what killed her. My medicine would have worked, but we didn't get to her fast enough, is all."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Sinclair grunted and dropped his cane. "Get the cart. Let's get her to the cemetery for the last rites and funeral." He looked at his friend and pointed at the door.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"I'll get the priest first," he said as he left the house.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Sinclair watched the other doctor leave, and then turned to Lucette. He looked at her body: lifeless and covered in buboes. Sitting down at her right side he began talking to her corpse, "I wish I had gotten to you sooner. I know you don't really develop feelings for someone in two days, but...I kinda felt like something was stirring," he sighed sadly and looked at her hand. He moved his hand under hers and gripped her fingers between his and firmly held her hand.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette was calmed by his words, and could almost feel his hand holding her own. Ethereal tears welled in her eyes and rolled down her face. "I would have welcomed you...you would have been perfect to break the loneliness in my life, and I would've done all I could to perfect yours."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"I don't know if your soul is still with your body or not...the priests tell me these things, but I think it might just be to make me feel better when I tell my patients my final words after they're gone. But just in case they're right, and your soul stays until your last rites, I just want you to know out of all my patients, something drew me to you in some special way." He let go of her hand and reached up, stroking her hair.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette closed her eyes and enjoyed Sinclair's touch as much as she could. Even though she was just a soul now, his presence still calmed her. "Don't worry," she opened her eyes and smiled with tears still in her eyes, "I heard every word. And I love you too."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The door opened again, this time by the other doctor who pulled a cart in with him. "Are you ready?" he asked Sinclair. "Check your gloves and everything. I'm not too keen on watching you become like her."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Sinclair winced at his insensitivity, but he checked to make sure his gloves were free of holes, and that his sleeves snugly enclosed on his wrists, overlapping his gloves. "I'm ready. You get on that side," he pointed to Lucette's left, "and I'll lift from here."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Then we'll put her in the cart. The priest will meet us in the graveyard and we'll hold her funeral there. Is there anyone we should tell?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"No, I think she's the last in her line. Poor girl's got no one."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"You know, if I had known how depressing you were going to be today, I might not have gotten out of bed. Anyway there are three others that are going to be buried as well."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Alright," Sinclair said as he grabbed Lucette's right hand and leg. His companion grabbed her left hand and leg. "One, two, three, lift." The two doctors lifted the corpse out of the bed and into the cart beside it. Sinclair's companion placed his hands on the cart's rim and pushed it out of Lucette's house.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">She couldn't move, but Lucette found a little comfort in knowing what was going to happen to her. The road was bumpy being made of cobblestone and the ride was uncomfortable. The three arrived at a grave yard with three open graves, dozens of headstones, and a dozen doctors, all dressed as birds and every one of them looked the same.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette gazed at the flock of doctors before her. Almost in unison, they all turned to her and the two other doctors wheeling her to the graveyard. She looked at her open grave and back to the beaked creatures standing like gatekeepers to the world of the dead. She stopped before her grave where a priest of the Chief Goddess stood with his holy book.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"O merciful goddess," he began reading from his book, "we appeal to thee, that thy mercy..." his voice trailed off as she noticed Sinclair dressing her in a burial gown. While it was nothing fancy, it was better than her night gown. Over her night gown, she wore a white dress that extended to her knees with puffy sleeves and short white gloves. She was lifted into a coffin, where she noticed her soul was detaching from her body when she moved her ethereal arms. She looked up at Sinclair who was closing the coffin over her legs.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Please," she begged him, "I'm not ready...don't bury me in this box." The lid covered her upper half and she screamed, "No! Doctor! Sinclair! Please open the coffin! I'm not ready! My last rites aren't finished! I'll be stuck in my body for eternity! ...Please." She felt her coffin being lowered down into her grave, and then heard the dirt being piled on her coffin. All she could do was cry from the horror of such a fate.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Suddenly, a strange barking sounded above her, and then the sound of something being hit by a shovel rang out. Lucette stopped crying to listen to the odd noises above. Someone screamed and someone else was hit with a shovel again. Footsteps of people running reverberated through her coffin, but Lucette's vision faded and her ethereal soul went comatose.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">*                                                                             *                                                                        *

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette's soul awoke again in her coffin. She listened closely to the world above, but heard nothing. She moved her ghostly arm out of her physical arm and brushed it against the coffin's lid. "They didn't throw much dirt on before they were interrupted...maybe I can push my way out?" She gave a little effort before her hand slipped through the wood. She could feel the dirt above, but her hand slipped through it. Quickly she pulled her hand back and examined it. Her hand was covered in a dark gray evening glove, but her skin was exposed between her elbow and shoulder. It had turned blue, and her dress was now dark gray.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">She lifted her head and looked at her new dress. She couldn't help but notice her breasts were larger, and her dress was cut low on her chest. Below that, her belly was fuller than when she was sick, but it was still flat, and her dress over her belly was semi see-through letting her see her bellybutton, and around her waist was a skirt with iron bars that acted like fabric. She gasped at her new body and beautiful dress. She raised both hands and pushed upwards through the coffin. She sat up, her head and torso leaving her body behind. She looked back at it, its hair thin and wiry, and the skin gray and covered in dark purple boils, and as gaunt as could be. She turned around in disgust and moved into the coffin's wood, then into the short layer of dirt, and finally into the clear air where it was raining heavily.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette looked around as she arose out of the dirt, and she realized her own body was giving off light, and that it was almost made of fire. Around her feet swirled a small vortex of blue flames that melded into her legs, but her body itself seemed just as solid as her old one. She outstretched her arm, and an umbrella appeared in her hands with an iron handle and iron skeleton. Blue fire weaved through the iron spokes like fabric, and she held it above her head, allowing it to shield her from the rain. She stood in her half-filled grave and turned to her headstone. Her name and her birth and death years were all that was on it, causing her loneliness to spike. She collapsed to her hands and knees, but the sound of voices caught her attention.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Did that hurt?" one asked, obviously female.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"What do you think?" the other, also female, asked, "Maybe I should hit you in the face with a shovel?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"You wouldn't dare. And maybe next time you'll not lunge directly for an armed human...especially a crazy one dressed as a bird."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Shut up. At least I tried to go after one."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"I know better than to jump at armed humans. They may be weak, but they're not above using weapons. Plus those bird costumes are the creepiest things I've ever seen. Kind of a turn-off if you ask me."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette stood up and slowly moved her eyes over the ground. On the opposite end of the graveyard were two creatures covered in black fur with the shapes similar to human women, and they each wept fire from their eyes. One was holding her head with some blood on her paw, but she didn't seem to be in much pain. One of them turned and looked at Lucette and grinned.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Well, well," the dog-woman said, "What've we got here?" She walked over to Lucette's grave with the other close behind. "A lonely spirit awaiting guidance to the world of the dead? How cute. It just so happens we know the way."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Leave me alone," Lucette told them, "I don't have any qualms with either of you."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"But we have business with you, sweet wisp," one of them said with a menacing grin. She lunged at Lucette'a grave, but she managed to dodge the attacker and climb out of her grave. She ran out of the graveyard as quickly as she could and didn't look back.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Eventually Lucette hid herself behind a thick tree in the forest that helped shield her from the rain, and she noticed how alone she was again. She tossed her umbrella down and the flames extinguished when it left her grip, burning into a mundane iron fence on an iron pole. She looked around at how alone she was again, and buried her face in her hands, ready to cry again. She looked at her black dress and was reminded of the black cloak the doctors wore.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette's tears stopped and she pulled her face out of her hands as a wide grin appeared below her lidded eyes. She gently placed her right hand on her face as she thought of the one who fixed the loneliness in her life: Sinclair. Though she didn't know where he lived, she knew where the medical guild was, and she could easily pull him out of this rain from there. She reached down and grabbed her umbrella, its blue flames weaving through the iron again. Turning to the south, and towards town, Lucette began walking with her grin as wide as ever, and her eyes two pools of solid blue with no black iris. Her flames increased in brightness as her anticipation for her love grew.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">*                                                                             *                                                                        *

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Sinclair calmed his breathing as he sat against a small stone wall. The creatures didn't appear to be pursuing him or the others anymore, partly because someone hit that one with a shovel twice. It was pouring again, but his waxed clothing kept him dry. He peered up from behind the stone wall, but saw no sign of them. "I should get back to the guild...or home before one of those dog-things finds me again," he thought. He slowly stood up and looked around. The heavy rain brought the visibility down to nothing, and there were so many stone walls that he couldn't use it to navigate. In short, he got himself lost while he ran away from those creatures in the graveyard.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">He looked to his left and saw a dim light piercing through the rain. "Good, someone's house I can stop at until the rain stops. Hopefully they won't be too put off by my attire." He began walking towards the blue light, coincidentally it kept him walking with the wind so he was more comfortable and he didn't have to work so hard with the stiff wind pushing against him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">For a long time Sinclair chased the blue light, but it never seemed to get closer, that was until a forest emerged from the thick fog. He could make out the outlines of trees with the blue light at their bases. With the wind still at his back, he began running towards the forest's edge, eager to get to the protection and safety the light offered. He jogged over the drenching pasture towards the forest, gaining speed until he broke out into a full run.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">When he made it under the canopy, he noticed the rain had stopped as the almost dry ground was shielded by the thick trees. He fixed his gaze onto the blue light again. In his proximity he could see it was a big bonfire about ten feet across but the flames were only half a foot tall. In the center sat a figure the same color as the fire, but also wearing an immodest black dress with black evening gloves. Atop the figure's head was white hair floating in some nonexistent wind accompanied by a black tiara. Cautiously he approached the figure thinking her some kind of magic anomaly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">He stepped up to the short flames and reached down trying to feel their warmth in the cold wind. He quickly realized there was little warmth there, or at least not like a real fire's. He stepped into the flames when something ethereal pulled him towards the center. Though they licked at his boots, the flames didn't melt or burn the leather. Stride after stride he slowly stepped towards the white-haired figure until he stopped one pace in front of her. She was kneeling down with her eyes closed like she was concentrating on something, and a familiar voice whispered some spell he didn't understand. Slowly he reached out towards her, his nerves sharpening with every inch he moved closer.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Suddenly the figure stopped her whispering and her eyes shot open, revealing two blue pupils with no black irises. There was a loud, low-pitched noise and the bright blue light vanished, leaving behind a mild blue light from the small flames. The next thing Sinclair knew he was on the ground with a moderate pain in his shoulders and back from where the creature had collided with him, and where he landed on the ground. The womanly figure was sitting on top of him and a giant metal cage fell on top of them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Without thinking Sinclair pushed the ghostly woman off of him and crawled backwards to the cage's edge. He tried desperately to pull it out of the ground, but it was stuck. He looked back to find the ghost getting back up, and he looked outside the cage. His cane lied on the ground within arm's reach. Quickly he threw his hand out and grabbed his cane, pulling it back quickly. It got stuck by the bars of the cage, and Sinclair pulled his gaze away from the wisp beginning her crawl towards him. He rotated the cane to point into the cage and it easily fit through the bars. He hastily and clumsily pulled the cane apart, revealing a hidden blade.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The wisp didn't seem to even notice the blade as she crawled toward him. Her lidded eyes were locked on his and her grin was steady. The blade was pointed at her, but she didn't stop. It pierced her heart and came out the other side, but the wisp's ethereal body took no damage. She stopped when she was over his thighs and gently sat herself down, straddling him. The blade dropped to the ground with a clang when Sinclair realized it was useless.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"Good Doctor," the wisp spoke while she reached out and stroked Sinclair's face, "I'm healthy again. Don't you like my new body? Isn't it so much better than my old sickly one?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">"L-Lucette?" Sinclair asked as he squinted through his mask. Now that he looked at her, her face was the same, but her hair was thicker and a different color. Nevertheless, he could still recognize his former patient.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The wisp's grin grew and she cradled her face in one hand while reaching down to grab Sinclair's hand with her spare. "The very same." She rubbed her fingers over Sinclair's leather glove and carried his hand to her face where she made him hold her head in a gentle manner. "I heard what you said when your friend left. My soul was with my body until my last rites, and then I became what you see in front of you. Now we can be together." She reached around Sinclair's head and pulled him to her chest. "I don't blame anyone for my death, so don't feel like it's your fault," she squeezed him tighter, "It was a blessing almost. Now I can be with you forever...and then your soul will stay after you pass. Nothing can keep us apart!" She grabbed Sinclair's hat and pulled it off before he could protest. "But I'd like to see the face of my husband, naturally."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Sinclair allowed the wisp to remove his hat, and helped her with his mask. While he was scared of the ghost before her, he did mean the things he said to her corpse, and he was getting more comfortable with the idea by the minute.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">His mask came off and Lucette gazed at his green eyes. His hair was a dark brown and he wore a short beard over his face. "I'll admit this whole thing will take me time," he said as he looked her starkly in the eyes as he held both of her hands, "But I'm willing to give you a chance at being my guiding light."

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Lucette looked at him with a sweet smile. A man's acceptance was a wisp's greatest wish, and her eyes flooded happily. She pulled her hands from his grip and squeezed him against her again. "You're still such a sweetheart," she laughed. She pulled partly away from him to look at his eyes again. "My husband," she whispered before pulling him into a tender kiss.