Chapter 5: The Physician and The Midwife

The next day, Crystal woke and ate her breakfast like usual. Although she is perplexed that she was having the craving for cooked food more than animal blood, and is actually tasting the food, she still eats in relish.

After that, She went on a walk towards the downtown where the building of the Physician was located. Today is sunny and the temperature is warm. Crystal was very happy with this temperature and she is not one-bit hurt at all. She was dressed in her white simple dress and black sandals. Her golden hair is styled in a loose braid with a black ribbon. Anyone who sees her will not suspect that she is a vampire.

She familiarizes herself on the routes downtown and greets a few elders who were outside of their buildings and talking to each other. She only maintained a polite smile as soon as she turns left the place.

'It's a gossip corner! A gossip corner!' Crystal now knew that she needs to look for another route to not meet those chatty grannies.

The group of five grannies she passed by immediately huddled together and started to gossip. "Did you saw that child there?"

"Yes yes! such a beautiful childbearing offspring, too bad that she is now just a single mother."

"Look at her luscious golden hair, that fair skin, and bright expression! If only that she wasn't pregnant, this town's young men will crowd and ask for her hand!"

"Is it taboo for us to marry twice?"

"Do we have that kind of rule here? or did my old brain just forgotten about it?"

"You're just old that you have forgotten about it."

"Still, who could be her potential husband that could take care of her and her children in the future?"

"Aiya! Why are we worrying about that child?! She's not our relative anyways!"

"That is the truth, but do we find anyone else as curious as to her? Those people are not as brilliant as that child, we'll just be wasting our breaths."

"Well... did you heard from the marketplace, those..."

"Goodness! They had such kind of relationship?!"

The gossiping grannies were finally distracted by someone else's love story that made Crystal at ease. She then walked towards her destination and went to the Physician's building and went to the receptionist. The inside of the building is painted in white with brown furniture and green plants that made the place lively. Paintings of the forest, flowers, and cute animals were there that lessen the boring look of the reception room. She waited with the other three patients who were first in line. She kept herself entertained with the thoughts of the recipes that she will be using for the bakery she will open after giving birth to the twins.

'Hmm, let's start with cookies and bagels, as well as Ciabbatte bread for sandwiches and sourdough. They's be easier to eat and good enough to feel full on the stomach.'- Crystal thought and also added a few spreading that could go hand in hand with the bread types she will be making.

'Aren't I so capable, Twins? Your mom is a great businesswoman! We will have money in no time.' Crystal conversed with the twins while waiting for her turn.

'Mommy is very remarkable!'

'Yes! Yes! Mommy is the best!'

"Next patient please." The receptionist called for Crystal and they both went to the second floor of the building to meet the Physician. It was an old man in his late 40's and he is wearing a long white coat for doctors. A stethoscope hanging on his shoulder and he's wearing thick, circular rimmed glasses.

"Doctor here is the patient." Crystal was lead to the single bed and was examined by the doctor. Of course, before she left the inn, she fed herself with animal blood, that is why she has a pulse and her body warm.

"You seem healthy and there are no complications or ailments you had been experiencing. Do you feel back pains or muscle pain in your body? feeling sore or tender on some parts of your body?"- The Doctor asked Crystal.

"Not yet, at the least, Doctor. I was hoping that I could check how many weeks or months that I am pregnant? because of a tragedy, some parts of my memories are murky." Crystal said looking shy and sheepish. The Doctor nodded his head and then called for the midwife to help him examine how many months was her pregnancy already.

The Midwife is an old lady in her 30's, Her hair is color brown with white roots showing, tied into a high bun, she was a bit chubby and she is wearing casual clothes of white collared shirt and long brown skirt.

"She's five months pregnant. By the way, miss, do not stress over little things and get worked up easily. You need to stay healthy and fit. You're not born in this town are you?"- The Midwife asked while she was checking her pulse.

"Yes, but I plan to stay and settle down here. M-My husband died a few days ago and I have nowhere else to go. However, thankfully we saved up money so I can buy a house for myself and my babies."- Crystal said with a small smile on her face.

'Let's not look too happy nor too sad. It'll be a hindrance to get a lot of people's attention.' Crystal thought as she withdrew her wrist from the Midwife's hold.

"I see, my condolence to your loss. Our son has already passed also for more than two weeks. It's okay for you to mourn silently, but please take care of yourself. No one in this world is safe from evil and its spawns."- The Midwife said mysteriously that made crystal's heart skip a beat.

'Did she just said evil and its spawns? What? Do you mean the creatures on the South are charging to the Human land?!'

"M-Midwife, what do you mean by that? I-I just arrived a few days ago here in town so I do not understand your words. Please explain it to me."- Crystal said while waiting with baited breathe, eyes focused only on the midwife. However, the Doctor cut their conversation short with a sigh.

"Dear, do not make the pregnant miss scared. You know pregnant women are at if they have negative emotions, right? And this miss is alone, how can she handle such stories from you?" The Doctor said to the Midwife before he turns back to look at Crystal with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry for that Miss, do not worry too much, My wife here just wants to share the tales of the other land's mysteries and mischief. Please ease your heart and mind, We are far away from those creatures therefore, we are safe." The Doctor coaxed and explained to Crystal as if she is just a small child.

"Ahaha... I see. T-Then I'll leave it like that. Thank you for your service." Crystal gave a silver coin to the Doctor's hand before leaving the building. Crystal left the downtown, she was still worried about the Midwife's words.

Back inside the physician's building, The Midwife was confused why her husband was checking her vitals.

"What's wrong? Why are you so anxious?" The Midwife asked while trying to soothe her husband.

"You- do you really not know what happened? when that pregnant woman was here, you..."- The Doctor was anxious and doesn't know how he will explain it to his wife.

"Well, it's already done, right? and I am fine and kicking. Do not worry anymore." The wife said to her husband and they settled the scene behind them.

'The evil and its spawn. If what I think is right, there are other "evil spawns" besides the Vampires that I saw from the original's memory. The question is... what else is outside the Human land that is "evil"? Is it a creature... or is it the nasty side of humans as well?' Crystal can't help but think deeply as she walks towards the book store to look for more answers.

'It doesn't matter if what I know are just the basics or just the surface of what the Helios country is hiding. This is better than being clueless. Crystal thought as she walked around the bookstore to look for appropriate books to find.

The female shopkeeper of the bookstore watched her look for the books she wants to read while paying close attention to her body. She didn't suspect anything nor felt anything malicious as well the intense gaze of the shopkeeper.

'Mommy is being watched.'

'Those watching are very yucky!'

The twins were talking to each other while feeling the intense gaze on their mother's body.

'This town is weird, Twin.'

'Very weird! Twin! What can we do?'

The two were helpless and wants their mother to leave the store, however, she was too preoccupied to look for the books she needs.

'How do we protect Mommy, Twin?'

'I don't know how to protect Mommy, Twin!'

Crystal looked at the two books she only found that she needs and looks legitimate, she went to the shopkeeper to pay and found her staring at her. She was crept out and doesn't know why but she felt goosebumps rising from her skin. She didn't say anything except pay with copper coins and left in haste. The Shopkeeper locked her gaze on her until she was out of sight.