The Clinic

(The West Street. It is where the poorest of the people lives. The entrance is a dark and thin alleyway full of garbage and rats, sometimes even people that sit so still you can't tell if they are dead or not. Due to its extreme bad smells, no one ever comes close to the entrance, let alone going through it)

(Holding a pack of things bought for Jek tightly in her arms, Kora hesitates a third time at the entrance)

Kora thoughts: I think I know why Emili doesn't want me to come. I should've noticed when I see less and less people as I get closer to the destination. Now, there's literally no one around me. It's so silent that I'm having goosebumps... And also the smell, yuck... It's worst than the garbage piles back on the normal streets!

Kora thoughts: But I came all over not to just examine the entrance. The sun is almost setting, it'll take me so long to get back to the bakery that I'm certain I will get in trouble even if I run as fast as I can to get back now. If I'll get in trouble no matter what, I might as well take a look inside. That's what I came for, right?

(Seem to have finally persuaded herself, Kora takes another deep breath --then choked by the bad smells-- and finally takes her way into the alley)

Kora thoughts: (Covers mouth) This is so disgusting... Mother never told me there were places like this before. Can people actually live in those conditions? I do see some people laying down, but the floor... isn't it dirty? --Ack! I think I stepped on something. Was it a rat? No, Kora, don't think about it. Just move on!

Kora thoughts: There's a lot of tents built outside, even though there are buildings in the alley. Why do they not live inside the buildings? It's already so squishy in here... Oh, I see a child coming out of the tents. Woah, he's so small and skinny. Even smaller than me... I can even see his bones. (Looks away) ...Maybe they couldn't afford to live in the buildings, I shouldn't judge how people live their lives.

Kora thoughts: --I'm starting to see a light from afar. It's pretty unique in this dark alley. Is that the clinic?

(Kora arrives at a building that has a glowing sign on the top of the front doors, she can't recognize the words on the sign. There are many tents with people laying all over the buildings and inside the tents, all of them look sick and painful)

Kora thoughts: ...I'm guessing this is it.

Kora: (Slowly opens front door) *Quietly* E-excuse me...?

(No one answers. The building is full of people with the same kind of thin body that showed their bones, and they wore torn clothes. Well, some didn't even have clothes. They were some seats and beds but it was obviously not enough so many just sat on the floor or squeezed onto other's bed. Some were so ill that they would vomit onto the ground and no one would care. On the very end, there is a door opened and a line that is lined up in front of it)

Kora thoughts: Okay... case solved. This is definitely not the hospital I know...

Patient: (Stumbles over in Kora's direction) A...air... I can't... breathe...

Kora: (Shocked) Ah--! W-what?!

Patient: (Trips over and falls to the ground) --Ugh-- Agh... *coughs* ugh...

Kora: S-sorry! Are you alright?! Can you stand up? (Lends over her hand)

Patient: (Grabs onto Kora's hand) I can't... breathe... Ha...ha...

Kora: I, I'm sorry but I'm not a nurse. (Looks around anxiously) --I will try to find you one, okay? Or maybe a doctor... Who is it that usually takes care of you? --Here, just sit down... Uhhhh no wait there's no seats, hold on, maybe I can get you a cup of water? (Nervous) Where's the water where's the water--

???: (Hands over a cup of water) ...Here.

Kora: --Oh! Thank you so much! (Brings water to the patient) Here, can you drink? I'll help you...

???: There's a stack of water over there. (Points at the corner) It's all in big barrels so they won't get dirty easily. The cups are right beside it, just open the mouth and you can get the water.

Kora: (Helps the patient drink) Thank you! I was really panicking... You seem to know this place really well. Do you know where I can find a nurse or doctor?

???: You mean the Medic. (Points at the door at the end of the room) The Medics are in that room. You have to line up and wait for your turn to get treated though. The staffs are really scarce here.

???: Normally there would be volunteers, but due to the battle those people are probably busy with their own problems so no one is able to take care of the patients here. I'm sure more volunteers will come, though, when everything gets back to normal.

Kora: (Looks towards the line) It's a really long line, though... I wonder if he's able to endure the pain till his turn.

Kora thoughts: By the way... I don't know if I'm imagining things but this voice sounds really familiar... I feel like I heard this voice before somewhere...?

???: Give him the medicine first. It'll soothe his pain a little.

Kora thoughts: It's so familiar... I've definitely heard this voice before... Just who is he?

Kora: (Looks up) --Wait, you--?!

Kora thoughts: Prince Loki?!?!