Capítulo 4: The kind doctor
Liam's footsteps echoed in the dim light from the stairs. Every move felt difficult as the staircase appeared to be never-ending.
Doors branched off from the staircase, leading to apartments. Although they were shabby and bleak, they were still apartments. A luxury which not many can afford in the lower city.
But finally, Liam reached the top floor. Only a single opening could be found here, blocked by a heavy curtain.
Liam pushed his body through.
It was as if entering a different world. The walls were white, and a warm light shone from the ceiling. Chairs, which didn't look like they might fall as soon as one sat down, were lined up against a wall.
A comfortable warmth animated Liam's tired spirit. He carried Serena and sat down next to a tall man hiding his bleeding hand below his rugged clothes.
The young girl also felt the comfortable environment, letting out a low sigh.
But Liam suddenly had a bad premonition. He nudged Serena, who was slowly closing her eyes.
"Hey, sister! Don't sleep now. Come, talk to brother Liam."
"But I'm so tired…"
"No, no. Now it's not the time to sleep."
At this moment a young woman sitting on a receptionist desk not far away looked over.
She furrowed her brows as she studied Serena. Her body tensed up. She pressed a button on her desk before standing up and approaching Liam with a cup in her hand.
"Serena. Look who's coming. It's Kathrin."
"Hey, Serena."
With those words some spirit returned to Serena's eyes. She looked at the young woman in white clothes arriving.
"Sister Kathrin."
Liam felt relieved inwardly as he noticed Serena's smile.
"Yes. It's me, Serena.
Don't worry. Doctor Hearley will be here any second.
Come, drink something."
Kathrin smiled warmly as she brought her cup to Serena's lips. The young girl wasn't shy slurping the hot tea.
"Ahhh…"
Liam and Kathrin chuckled as Serena let out a strange sound.
Feeling a stone falling from his heart, the young man subconsciously caressed his sister's shoulder.
Serena showed a warm smile, feeling blessed as she was surrounded by good people.
At this moment a door opened, a middle-aged woman with brown hair styled as a bun entering the room.
"Good to see you, Doctor Hearley."
"Doctor!"
Greetings rang out in the room. The man seated next to Liam looked at Serena and held himself back as Hearley approached the brother-sister duo.
"Liam, Serena. Can you walk?"
"Of course."
"Ok. Come with me!"
Liam gratefully followed the doctor into another room.
Multiple beds could be seen here, surrounded by some machines. The smell of medicine wafted around one's nose, waking some memories in Liam's mind.
Although Doctor Healey's office was not in the lower city, she furnished this room to treat the less fortunate citizens.
The quality of the appliances here wasn't great, but it was already more than the lower city's inhabitants could have asked for.
A few moans could be heard. Liam scanned the other beds but soon averted his eyes. The patients resting here didn't look great.
"Place your sister here!"
Liam's attention was back on the doctor as he hastily complied. He carefully placed Serena down on a bed.
"You lie there!"
"Me? But I…"
"Don't refuse! You look terrible!"
Liam didn't know how to refute. He shook his head and laid down on another bed.
This was the first time he could relax since coming to this world. As the tension left his body, Liam immediately felt sleepy, unable to keep his eyes open.
A few hours later Liam noticed some movement around him. He slowly opened his eyes, looking at the doctor inspecting his hands.
"You woke up."
"Yes. Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
Liam smiled weakly as his eyes wandered to his sister. He watched as the little girl slept peacefully, some special blankets surrounding her body.
"No. I do have to mention it…"
"Whatever. Your body isn't in a good condition either. You two should rest here for a while."
"Oh right. Doctor, do you have anything good for my sister? Maybe something to strengthen her? I can pay!"
Doctor Hearley raised her brow, looking at Liam in surprise.
"You want better treatment? Well, I do have some better medicine…"
"Great! Don't worry. As long as it's good for Serena, we will take it."
"Did you make a windfall recently? Never mind, don't answer! Let me see what I can do for your sister."
For the next day Liam and Serena stayed at the doctor's office. Liam got some food while Serena received all kinds of nourishing medicines.
But the young girl got anxious after feeling the effects on her body, refusing to drink if Liam didn't share it with her.
Liam found no way to convince his sister, reluctantly taking small sips as well. Soon, his body recovered some strength although it couldn't be considered healthy yet.
As Liam drank a green liquid named Grade 1 Nourishing Fluid, he dug out a few more memories.
He was shocked as he recalled that martial artists existed in this universe. They trained their bodies, top masters even able to survive in space.
The Nourishing Fluid he drank was meant to aid them in their training.
Even Liam's parents were martial artists with some accomplishments. However, they weren't interested in fighting against others but used their power to explore the ruins of an ancient civilization.
Liam involuntarily let out a sigh. Doubts threatened to creep into his mind again, but he hastily suppressed them.
After a while the young man stood up together with his sister. He smiled warmly as he noticed how much better Serena was walking. Doctor Hearley even allowed the siblings to use a small bath, letting them temporarily feel more human.
"Thank you for everything doctor. Here, take the money."
Laim looked at the doctor, genuinely grateful, handing out his black card.
The doctor's face remained stoic as she took out a small device, placing Liam's card in it. However, she showed some surprise as she noticed the balance on the card.
Still, Nourishing Fluid was pricey, and two thousand credits were gone in an instant.
Liam felt a hint of pain in his heart.
Half of my wealth gone immediately. I never expected that I would ever have to worry about money.
However, Liam didn't complain, knowing that the doctor took good care of them.
"Thank you, doctor. And you too, Kathrin. I don't know if we could've made it without you!"
"Thank you, thank you! Thank you for everything!"
Serena smiled happily as the siblings said their goodbye. Kathrin showed a complicated expression, wishing them all the best.
Laim and Serena braced themselves as they were about to return to the cold.
But suddenly Doctor Hearley let out a sigh. Looking at the siblings' backs she spoke up:
"Wait!"
"Hmm? Did you forget something, doctor?"
"Liam. What do you plan to do now?"
"I… don't know yet."
"I have an empty room. Do you want it?"
"What? Really?"
Noticing Serena's eyes light up brightly, Liam already knew that he wouldn't be able to refuse.
"300 per month. Food included."
"Thank you doctor. You're too kind."
Liam felt incredibly touched. Doctor Hearly didn't live in the lower city. If she spoke of an empty room, it was most likely in the upper city. Liam was sure she could've rented it out for double the price.
"I just can't bear to see you die. Come with me.
Kathrin, let's end the day."
"Yes, doctor."
Even Kathrin smiled brightly knowing that the cute Serena wouldn't be forced to sleep in the cold.
While the young assistant began tidying up the office, Liam and Serena followed behind the doctor, the young girl having expectant eyes.
They walked past the treatment room, entering a corridor which led to the rooms reserved for upper class citizens.
But the trio turned the other way, walking up some stairs.
Soon they stopped before a metallic door, a numpad next to it.
Liam hastily blocked his sister's eyes, averting his own head.
"Brother? Hey, what are you doing?"
The little girl swayed her head left and right, trying to peek between Liam's fingers.
Doctor Hearley was taken aback, letting out a chuckle.
"You can look. In fact, you should. Or do you expect me to open the door for you each time?"
"Oh. Sorry. I just thought…"
"It's alright. If I wasn't assured, I wouldn't let you in anyways."
"You're right. Sorry."
"Hehe."
Liam watched his sister with a smile.
"And what are you laughing for?"
"Hehe, you suddenly turned so obedient, Liam!"
"That's called being polite."
Serena continued to snicker as the door slid to the side.
"4493."
"Got it."
Liam answered calmly before the trio entered the doctor's flat. They arrived in a spacious living room with a large TV. Obviously, the doctor wasn't short on money.
Liam scanned the room, noticing how everything looked smooth and modern, but rather colorful. It reminded him of the place he used to live in with his parents.
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