Chapter 15: Source of problem

Dr. Thomas occasionally enlarges his eyeball when Bradley describes the physical appearance of the creatures which attack him.

"Hey kid, I can't help you at all," he said quickly, then turned away. "You should find another doctor."

His hand picked up the fallen can and sipped at the rest of the drink. "But Madam Nigeria said you can help me heal this wound," said Bradley trying to convince the doctor.

"I believe you can help me." Bradley's face showed a sad expression.

"I don't know what supposed to do right now." His hands trembling followed by sobs. " I'm sorry kid. I can't help you." Dr. Thomas turns his face and stared at the television screen.

His hopes slowly shatter and he walks away, leaving the man without even looking back. Suddenly Bradley feels a very painful pain and he stops for a moment. It feels like several knives are stuck in his leg, making him immediately fall and groan. His legs feel numb, his body starts to shiver, and cold sweat flows non-stop.

"Hey, kid what's wrong?" Dr, Thomas sees him and ran to Bradley.

Bradley doesn't reply to Dr. Thomas and his head starts dizzy. The pain is unimaginable and makes him groan more. A few minutes later, his vision begins to blur. Dr. Thomas tries to regain Bradley's consciousness, however, he doesn't respond and not long after, he faints.

***

Bradley opens his eyes and the first thing he sees is the light brown ceiling of the room. A few minutes later, an unpleasant odor smelled. "Where am I?" Bradley looked around and see Dr. Thomas preparing something.

"Gosh, what's is that?" He immediately covers his nose. "Hey kid, it's a good thing you're awake now," said Dr. Thomas hearing Bradley's voice. "You are now in my house," he continued, grinding something with the mortar he is holding. "I'll make a potion, calm down."

"What is happening?" asked Bradley curiously while covering his nose. "I feel something strange since that strange creature attacked me," he said while holding his head. "Oh yeah, my name is Bradley, nice to meet you."

"Bradley, I have something to tell you." Dr. Thomas walks closer to is carrying a cup filled with some kind of green to purple liquid and the other hand a bottle of liquor.

Bradley furrows his brows and sees the color of the liquid. It is very strange and gives off an unpleasant odor.

"I'll put this medicine on your wound," said Dr. Thomas smearing the liquid on Bradley's scar. "But you must remember this thing cannot cure this disease. It only reduces and slows down the effect." He takes a sip of a drink which is the same color as his hair.

A few minutes later the pain slowly disappeared, and Bradley widens his eyes. He doesn't expect the liquid to be very helpful to reduce his pain and he is still curious about what kind of creature has attacked him.

"I believe you have been cursed by one of Mirland's creatures," said Dr. Thomas to him. "It must be Night catcher."

"Night catchers?" Dr. Thomas explained the night catcher is one of the creatures which often targets human life, especially young people like Bradley.

It's because night catcher lives by eating human feelings. Night catcher will attack their victims through the subconscious because humans will be weak when in a dream.

"Wait a minute, so I have these strange dreams all this time because of that creature?" "Yeah, we can say like that." Dr. Thomas nods quickly. "There are several phases that will happen if someone gets cursed and the worst the victim will lose self-control.

"Jeez, so you mean people will go crazy?" Bradley furrows his brows. "Damn! Why is this creature able to roam in this world? "

"It's still a mystery, until now. I also do not know why this creature can exist in this world."

Dr. Thomas explained this wound only cure if he finds a mysterious plant from one place called Mirror Land/ Mirland and only people from Mirland know how to get there.

"Dr. Thomas, you must be joking right?" Bradley thinks that Dr. Thomas is telling a joke. "There is no place like that in here." He rolls his eyes.

Dr. Thomas sighed. "That place simply cannot be found in this world. It's impossible to find."

He is speechless hearing Dr. Thomas's explanation. He feels all words from Dr. Thomas are beyond his logic and do not make sense. Dr. Thomas also said Bradley's phase is going through seemed to be the initial phase, so taking this medicine is still having an effect.

"Ok, I think it's best if you give Nigera the information about the night catcher as soon as possible," said Dr. Thomas sipping his drink.

"Wait, Madam Nigera knows about this?" Bradley is shocked to hear it.

Dr. Thomas nods slowly and explains Madam Nigera is indeed one of the Mirland's inhabitants. However, there are rules that every Mirland's people must obey. They must not show their true identity.

"Bradley, you should go back to your place now," said Dr. Thomas walking over and looking out the window. "The sky seems to be getting dark soon. That creature will move at night." He kept staring out the window.

"Yeah, I think so. Thank you, Dr. Thomas. I appreciate all of it." He moves his body from the sofa. "Bradley, if we meet later someday, just call Thomas," he said waving his hand. "Just be careful, next time." His eyes still staring out his window while continue to sip his liquor.

Bradley walks away from Dr, Thomas to the door. However, his body stops when he sees a photo on a small table not far from Dr. Thomas's position, so he decides to walk closer and see more clearly.

"I'm sure this must be his wife and child." Bradley took the photo and saw Dr. Thomas with a woman with long black hair holding a boy and they looked so happy. "I'm just curious if the news of the death of his son and wife is true?"

However, he stopped his move when looked at Dr. Thomas's gaze looks blank and he also lowered his sturdy shoulder.

"But, I don't think this is the right time." Bradley put back the photo and walks away.

The color sky looks darker than before and the cold air managed to penetrate Bradley's clothes. His body starts to feel cold, but he keeps walking then after a few minutes of walking, rain begins to fall from the sky. Bradley runs away and looking a place for shelter.

"At least I can stay here for a while." He rubbed his palms together and a warm sensation was felt for a moment. "Argh! This cold air is making me sick."

He looks around, but there is no one in this place except him, thus the gust of wind and the sound of rain can be heard clearly. A few minutes later there is a strange sound, but he attempts to ignore the sound and starts mumbling.

"Argh, why is the raining taking so long?" Bradley grumbled and scratched his head. "I hope Madam Theresa will not scold me."

All of a sudden the strange voice sounded again and this time much louder than before. Bradley slowly turns his head and his curiosity drives him to move from his position looking for the source of the sound.

"Wait, the sound is not far from here." Bradley re-plugged his ear to make sure the source of the sound. "Yeah, I'm sure it's coming from here."

***