Case 04:
The Vampire with Vertigo
IT WAS THE DAY AFTER Glenn had treated Illy.
A strong wind was beating against the window. The sky was dark, even though it was the middle of the day. Stacks of thick clouds hung in the air, buffeted by the wind. The fairies were busily closing all the shutters. It wasn’t raining yet, but it could start at any moment. There was no question now. A storm was coming.
“Doctor, all the shutters are closed.”
“Thanks, Sapphee.”
There weren’t many patients in the clinic, perhaps because everyone was preparing for the storm. Thanks to the advance warning, however, no one was panicking. Even though it was only just past noon, the neighborhood shops were already starting to close. The clinic was open, but with no patients, there seemed little point.
“I really wanted to finish Plum’s exam before the storm arrived.” Glenn sighed.
“There’s nothing you can do if she doesn’t come.”
“Yeah…”
He’d planned to go out and look for Plum himself, but with the imminent downpour, he’d decided to stay in.
“I’m glad Illy’s planning to settle things with Plum,” Sapphee remarked.
“Thanks to the seed you planted.”
“I know. But that young woman has a history of fighting and then fleeing,” Sapphee said. “If she keeps it up, she won’t stay in this for town long.”
She almost seemed to be scolding herself, but this was typical of Sapphee. She might blurt out advice without thinking, but she was good at looking after people.
“Our ballots arrived,” she said, changing the subject. “Who are we going to vote for?”
“Oh, right. We have to vote, too.”
“Right. One vote each.”
Glenn wasn’t sure what to do. The final candidates for ambassador were Illy and Plum. Even though Plum hadn’t completed her physical exam, Glenn still had to make a choice.
“No matter who wins, there’s going to be trouble.”
“I want to vote for Plum, because if Illy wins, I think it will be worse.”
“Hmmm…”
Glenn wondered if that were true. Would it be any better if Plum won? He didn’t think so. They weren’t fighting about who would be elected. This whole election had just been a trigger. The best case scenario would be if they used this as an opportunity to speak honestly to each other. Sapphee clearly wanted the same thing, but ultimately, they had to want it for themselves. There was a limit to how much others could help.
“Well…it won’t do us much good to dwell on it,” Sapphee said. “I’m going to close the front door.”
“Oh, you don’t need to.”
“Huh? What about the storm, Doctor?”
“That’s exactly why we should leave the door open and unlocked. Someone might be hit by flying debris. I believe both the plantation and the factory are staying open up until the last minute. I want it to be clear that we’re open, in case of an emergency.”
“As you wish, Doctor.” Sapphee sighed. “But I don’t think anyone will come. Will you at least take one night off to rest?”
“Yeah, I will,” he responded.
Sapphee smiled as she left the exam room.
Storms were rare in Lindworm. Old roof tiles, tree branches, and other objects would likely be hurled into the air. Then there were the Waterways. There should be enough drainage, but there was always the possibility of flooding if more rain fell than anticipated.
Although, there aren’t any records of floods.
Glenn shook his head. Just like illness, there was no telling how and when a natural disaster might strike. Illness could at least be countered by a doctor, but there wasn’t much that could be done for weather.
Hopefully no one will come tonight.
Glenn chuckled to himself. Of course it would be better if fewer patients showed up. But his hope wasn’t limited to that night alone. He never wanted many patients to come.