“Hmm? Why do you look like you’re about to cry?”
“I-I’m not!” Lily wiped her face and smiled. “Next time, I’ll make you something warm, okay?”
Watching from behind the wall, Liz bit down on her thumbnail sharply. “Why? My plan was perfect...”
***
A translucent woman further observed the developments from the second floor.
“I see,” she remarked. “First she breaks the girl’s spirit by showcasing how overwhelmingly superior her domestic skills are. Not stopping there, she goes on to reminisce about shared childhood memories that the girl cannot intrude upon, keeping her opponent out while emphasizing her bond with her target. A classic assertion-of-dominance strategy, masterfully executed.”
Carmilla was, admittedly, impressed.
“However, despite how short her time with Zenos has been, Lily’s bond with him is by no means weaker. After all, she has shared in both the hardships and joys of his life since the clinic’s inception. Securing the position of number one will not be quite so simple, dear childhood friend. Hee hee hee...”
The wraith’s lips curled up into a smile for a moment, and then her eyes narrowed.
“Nevertheless, this childhood friend’s tactics are crossing a line. I avoid interfering with the matters of the living on principle, but it might be appropriate to curse her to, say, have nightmares about a headless woman during her stay here.” After mumbling what sounded like a spell, Carmilla rubbed her shapely chin. “Still, I sense a certain desperation in her. Perhaps she is in some sort of pressing situation? Regardless, she does not seem to be the type to give up easily. What shall her trump card be, I wonder?”
And when that time came, what choice would the healer at the center of this circle of women make?
“Stay tuned...” echoed her creepy voice throughout the second floor.
***
It had been overcast since morning, the gloomy sky extending overhead.
Lily, with her hands on her cheeks at the reception desk, looked out the window at the gray clouds and said, “Hey, Zenos. I wonder what’s up with Zophia and the others.”
Zenos looked up from an old medical journal he’d gotten from the black market. “What do you mean?”
“It’s been a week since they last came to the clinic. This never happens...”
“That explains why things have been so quiet and peaceful.”
“Really, Zenos? You’re not worried?” the young elf asked anxiously.
“Hmm...” Zenos closed his medical journal. “They’re a tough bunch. I don’t think they need our concern.”
“I suppose not...” Lily heaved a deep sigh. “Liz’s memories aren’t coming back either. Though she remembers a lot about the orphanage days.”
Liz was out shopping currently.
Zenos absentmindedly gazed down at the journal on his consultation desk. “It’s true. I wonder if Liz is...” He trailed off.
“Is what?” Lily asked.
“Oh, nothing. Don’t mind me.” Zenos stood up and gazed out the window next to Lily. “Might rain today.”
***
The heavy gray clouds extended over the slums too.
In the werewolves’ hideout, Lynga was sitting with her knees clutched to her chest, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Her men, concerned, spoke up. “Hey boss, you’ve been down lately. What’s wrong?”
Still hugging her knees, Lynga replied blankly, “I just don’t feel like doing anything.”
“Did something happen?”
“I didn’t put any needles in.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Nothing...” Lynga sighed heavily and rolled around on the floor.
“Hey, any of you know what’s up with the boss?”
“No clue...”
“What’s gonna happen to the werewolves of the slums?”
As the men exchanged worried remarks, a werewolf came into the hideout, hurried to Lynga, and whispered something to her. Her ears, which had been flat up until that point, immediately perked up.
“Hmph. I see. So that’s what’s happening.”
