Love was not a word Moon would use for someone she had just met. Yet, somehow, Dr. Alex felt like the exception. There was something about the way he looked at her, as if she mattered, as if she were special. And after everything she had lost, after knowing she had only two days left before she would be handed over to the orphanage—where she would become someone else's daughter, where she would have to pretend none of this had ever happened—she found herself desperate to hold onto something. To hold onto the past, onto the love she once had, onto the family she had lost.
It was almost cruel, how life had played her. As if her nightmares had taken form, twisting her fate so that she would end up here, in the care of a doctor who kissed her forehead like it was the most natural thing to do. The warmth of his lips lingered on her skin, leaving behind a strange comfort she didn't know she needed.
"Fine," she muttered, her voice carrying the weight of reluctant acceptance. "I'll stop with the questions and just hope you keep your promise."
Dr. Alex nodded, a reassuring smile tugging at his lips. "No need to worry too much, love. You're going into good hands. It's better to be in an orphanage than on the streets, right?"
It sounded better, yes. But he didn't understand—couldn't understand—the longing in her heart. The ache to be with her real family, to be with her sister. To hold on to what little remained of the life she once knew.
"Enjoy these last days, alright?" he added, his voice softer this time, almost as if he pitied her.
She frowned. "How, exactly?"
Alex seemed to contemplate her question before rubbing the back of his neck, a shy blush creeping up his skin. "Well... let me take you out?" He cleared his throat awkwardly. "I have some errands to run, and my assistant isn't free. Since you're feeling well, I figured... why not ask you?" His emerald eyes darted away for a moment. "You know?"
How adorable he looked, stumbling over his words. It was so unfamiliar to her—this sort of behavior from a man, directed at her—that it left her uneasy. But what reason did she have to refuse? Being stuck inside all day with no one to talk to was far worse.
"Alright," she conceded, tilting her head. "See it as a way of thanking you, though it's not nearly enough." A pause. "Can we pass by my house as well?"
Alex nodded without hesitation. "Of course."
Her heart clenched. Maybe, just maybe, she was one step closer to seeing Grace.
Moon had never been allowed to go out alone with boys, and yet here she was, walking beside one. A handsome one, at that. His golden hair caught the sunlight just right, shimmering under the afternoon glow. His features were soft but sculpted with a quiet elegance, his green eyes deep and intelligent. He was close enough that, if she dared, she could reach out and take his hand. But, of course, that was just another foolish, romantic notion in her mind.
"The first stop is the post office," Alex announced.
Moon shook her head, trying to rid herself of her thoughts. As she did, she noticed something unsettling—the streets were emptier than she remembered. Fewer people. Fewer wagons. The air itself felt heavier, as if the town was holding its breath.
"Was the plague really that catastrophic?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
Alex's expression darkened. "If only you'd been awake to see it," he said solemnly. "It hasn't stopped. People are still getting infected. Every day, more bodies are taken away."
A chill ran through her, her arms wrapping around herself. "Do you know why it started? Or where it came from?"
Her questions were bold, but she had been asleep for over a month. She had missed too much.
"They say King Cedric Valreth infected his slaves with a deadly disease," Alex said grimly. "A disease that had never been seen before. They call it Veylthys. He sent those infected slaves into our neighboring territories, spreading it further. Eventually, it reached Varkosia."
Varkosia. Her home. The place where she had spent her childhood, in that old, leaky house she had always hated.
"But why would he do that?" she whispered, shaking her head in disbelief.
Alex simply shrugged. "I don't deal in politics, Moon. My job is to heal, not to question." Then, his lips quirked into a small smile, dimples appearing on his cheeks. "You're quite curious, though."
Moon found herself staring at his dimples longer than she should. "Why are we going to the post office, anyway?" she asked, trying to distract herself.
"I need to deliver a message to my Superior Teacher," he explained as they reached their destination.
The post office stood near the bakery Moon had once worked at—though now, it was shut down. The windows were boarded up, and a faded sign hung limply from its post. The plague, no doubt. Alex swung the door open, and the familiar scent of old parchment and ink filled the air. An elderly woman sat behind the counter, sorting through an overwhelming pile of letters, her frail hands moving slowly.
"Welcome," she greeted, adjusting her glasses. "I'm a bit busy today, as you can see."
"No worries," Alex assured her. "I just need to leave an envelope. I'm in no rush."
The woman shuffled past them, placing the letter in a large basket. "Got more!" she shouted to another worker in the back.
Moon's gaze drifted over the countless letters. Her heart ached at the sight.
"Are there any letters for—" She stopped herself. It was unlikely Grace had written to her. It was foolish to even ask. "Never mind."
The woman gave her a kind smile. "Alright then, dear. Let me know if you need anything."
Moon bit her lip. She would have to find another way to reach her sister. For now, her best chance was visiting home.
"I'm done," Alex said, standing up. "Shall we head to your house? Maybe grab something to eat afterward?"
Both sounded perfect.
Moon's house was far from the village, but Alex had paid for a wagon to take them there. As they traveled, she found herself stealing glances at him. Every time he spotted herbs along the road, his eyes lit up with excitement. His passion for medicine made her wonder—would she ever find something that gave her the same joy?
"Your house is a long way from here," Alex teased, nudging her playfully.
She smirked. "I warned you. And don't expect anything fancy—it's nothing like the house you probably live in."
Alex chuckled. "I don't mind. Not one bit."
When they finally arrived, Moon's stomach twisted. Something wasn't right.
Her house stood exactly as it always had, yet it felt... wrong. There was no movement inside. No sign of life. The windows were dark, the air eerily still.
Everything looked... abandoned.