Doctor's Story Pt. 3

That was a lot more than either of us bargained for… Fence was speechless and so was I. Neither of us knew what to say and considering that I only met her today, I knew it was certainly not my place to speak up. As for what she said, it’s horrible. I thought theme parks were the only good part of the old world. Everything else was a gross depiction of how humanity lived carefree. Then she told me about her love for Rocco. Maybe I misread the situation. Those times she’d beg Rocco to ride those roller coasters with her one last time weren’t because they made everything melt away, he did. Rocco was where Clarine went to forget about the rest of the world and how poorly it treated her for simply existing and doing what she wanted.

My father taught me everything I know about the old world and so did school. They made it out to be heaven. I don’t doubt the luxuries they had but perhaps they only focused on those aspects so people like Masir and I would aspire to participate in the surface-recovery program. I doubt Masir actually cares to be a scavenger but everything they taught us didn’t shy him away from it either.

To make matters worse, the one thing, the one person that Clarine found her escape in…. he betrayed her… My heart couldn’t help but feel heavy. Someone like me, I’m distraught, and I spent all my life blaming everyone and everything around me for my existence. If I was Clarine, I’d have ended up the most pathetic man in the world… But she’s still here. She’s still pushing forward and even helping others as a Scavenger Lord in the most prestigious city in the world. I can’t help but admire every speck of her being. There’s still so much I’ve yet to understand about the old world and this current one…

“When you look at me, do you feel sick? Do my flames remind you of those treacherous days?”

I could tell that she felt bad. “Yes, they do. They make me feel absolutely disgusted. I’m sorry. On the day, I was supposed to move to Milona from the surface, everyone was panicking as more and more people became susceptible to the inferno. My dad was supposed to come with me but he lived closer to Rocco so I hesitantly reached out and asked him to make sure my father stayed safe. It was the first time either of us reached out to the other since we got divorced. Rocco swore to me that he would protect him no matter what. I trusted his resolve as well. Just by hearing his voice, I could tell that something changed. My father would be in good hands… I still remember exactly what my father’s burnt corpse looked like… It didn’t take long for Milona to overpopulate and only a couple days after the conversion began, Ylvona was already taking in residents. Only those who could afford it would make it through. Obviously, this wasn’t an issue for me but when I thought about Rocco, my mind was scattered. I ended up offering to take him with me. I don’t know why. There was no chance that I would take him back but I felt that I had to be better than him and the world around me. Nothing would allow me to feel the joy I once had and maybe I just didn’t want him to feel the way I did. Regardless, he declined the offer. I didn’t bother asking why. I took his answer at face value and decided to move on my own… However, I didn’t sell my property in Milona. I believe it still stands only a few houses down from Rocco’s. The last day before I moved, I spent the entire day cleaning it. I dusted and mopped until it looked newly built. Before I left, knowing I was able to do that, made me proud. If I go back now, the house will be a hundred times as dusty and grimy as before. But that’s okay.”

…

By the time she finished, we made it to the elevator, where it appeared Rocco and Masir had been waiting for a while. A look of disgust couldn’t help but form on my face when my eyes met Rocco’s. Out of everyone, I’m the last person to judge anyone for anything. Another showcase of how vain I truly am…

“Everything alright, kiddo?”

Without the disguise of my flames inside the elevator, my emotions became visible. “Yeah, I’m fine… Um, you got everything with your uniform sorted?”

“... Yeah, couple of folks in here helped me recharge the heat conversion tubes. You ready to get your leg back, kid?”

I sighed, “More than anything… Where is the doctor by the way?”

It’d be hard to believe that Clarine was the one treating me. She mentioned an eccentric doctor on board. Looking around, I see about twelve other people in here all focused on doing some sort of work as they rustle across this insanely large elevator.

Clarine slapped the back of my shoulder. “This way, ‘kiddo.’”

We walked over to a guy on a computer. He was looking back and forth from his monitor and some papers on his desk. He wasn’t dressed like a doctor either. This scrawny dude had a button-up shirt, with a loose tie, rolled-up sleeves, khaki pants, and a belt that did its best to maintain his waist. Are we sure this isn’t the IT guy?

This office worker gave me the meanest glare as we approached. “... You know to reattach a leg, you’re gonna actually need your leg and not a stupid gun.”

Did this jackass think I didn’t bring my leg?

“Alright, no funny stuff, Lars. I got my eye on you so you even think of pulling anything, and you’ll be dead before you could say sun-walker. Got it?”

What the hell is a Sun-Walker? Also, what does she mean don’t pull anything?!

“... Is he really a doctor? He’s not going to kill me or anything, right?”

Clarine scoffed and gave a demeaning glance his way. “If he knows what’s good for him, he won’t.”

That did not inspire confidence…

Lars groaned like a manchild as he stood up from his desk. “Well, come on, bud, we don’t got all day.”

Everyone seemed to get comfortable as I prepped for surgery. Rocco delicately handed Lars my leg and Clarine and her crew traveled together across the elevator and started to discuss who knows what. Rocco was waiting at my bedside. I can’t tell how I feel about him…

“Hey, oldie, you’re gonna have to get out of here while I’m working. If I let every grandpa stand over my shoulder while performing surgery, they’d all be far less happy with the end result.”

Rocco seemed a bit embarrassed but he respected Lars’ wish.

“Kiddo, if you need anything just-”

“Yeah, he’s not, scram.”

Alright, dude, calm down. “Don’t worry, sir. Everything will be okay.”

Rocco headed off to another side of the elevator and I laid back on a bunk ready for the surgery to be performed. Pain wasn’t even something I bothered to think about. My mind has been firing on cylinders all day so getting some rest was crucial. Hopefully, by the time I wake up, my leg will be reattached…

“...”

“Hey, kid, don’t knock out on me yet.”

Come on, man, I can’t be snarky with him since he’s in charge of my life here, but dammit, he’s annoying.

“Is everything alright, doctor?”

He leaned back and slapped his hand on his forehead. “Haha! Doctor, that’s a funny one. Of course, I’ll reattach your leg just fine. There’s nothing to worry about. I don’t have an interest in older boys like you anyway. I just wanted to know how you feel about this all. You’re a kid from the slums of Milona, right?”

“Well, I wouldn’t call it a slum-”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever, but you know we’re taking you to Ylvona, right? The most prestigious city in the world. Do you even know how we breathe down there? Ah, whatever, my point is, I know a lot. Not just about the city but I know a lot about everything. All I ask is that when the time comes, you do me a favor…”

Shit, I really don’t want anything to do with this creep whatsoever but I also don’t want him to kill me right here and now. But more than that, he needs to perform surgery on my leg… Ahhh, what to do?

“Haha, I don’t know, I feel like everyone’s been asking favors of me lately. I’m really tired too, doc. I don’t know if-”

“Nonsense, nobody’s favor will be more important than mine. If you let me, I can become one of your greatest allies. I’m doing you a favor more than anything, especially with your leg here. Hear me out…”

It’s clear that I no longer had a choice. “Yeah, you’re right. You seem like a cool guy, what’s up?”

Lars looked around to make sure nobody would overhear. “What I’m about to tell you will change your perception of Ylvona, Milona, and this world forever. Remember, All I ask is that you do me a solid when need be. A single favor! Alright, alright, enough blabbering. I’ll get to work on your leg and you just listen. This is the truth of our world and all these dirty Scavenger Lords…”