Sinful

Ava died too. “It’s the seventeenth death of this month. Do you realize how many patients are dying due to sudden anemia?” I asked as a sigh escaped my lips. Being the only doctor, I feel terrible for the strange deaths happening in my small village, Glaze. It has begun to frustrate me now. Sighing, I lit up my cigarette, talking to my assistant Anna. Pushing my rough and messy brown hair behind, a frown came to my stern features.  “There is no pattern, no age group, we cannot find any internal injury either, what is happening? How is this possible?” She sighed, looking down, worried, scared for our small village. “Also, don’t smoke. Who knows it might affect you too? And we cannot lose you.” She frowned, not liking my nonchalance, but acting outrageous wouldn’t help either. “I am a thirty-four years old male with strong immunity, I’d be fine.” I muttered, making a random excuse to not pay heed to her talks. “But, Doc-” She tried to say but I moved my hand in the air to shut her off, not wanting to hear anything at the moment. “Don’t bother me.” Cutting her off dominantly, I began to walk away after indulging in my smoke. “It’s late already. We failed to save another fellow. I am going home now. I am exhausted. Keep an eye on Julia for now” I said, instructing Anna to look after our recent patient here. Dismissing this topic because no one, I repeat- No one is as distressed as I am by these deaths. I have a responsibility as the only surgeon here to provide people with a fearless and healthy life and I failed it. Terribly. I feel terrible and it is infuriating me now. Anna didn’t argue and with a long exhalation from my cigarette, I walked away. Lost in my unwanted thoughts, stirring my ability to think. I know I am the only family member left from the Solis family. The only doctor here, their only hope.  As I was walking, my eyes fell upon the cliff where a castle resides. We live in a small village, unrecognized by the world, named Glaze.  For centuries, there's been a castle on the cliff of our village which was sealed shut and after years, those people decided to make it their household.  Those damn people-Hemsworths. “Tsk, curse.” I muttered, resenting them because ever since they moved in, strange things have begun to occur in our land. People are dying, despair is spreading.  Those people are cursed. Our family has owned the hospital for generations, but even if I am a doctor, I am a man of faith too.  Upon the oath I have taken to shelter people, but I cannot discard my belief, telling me to not trust the cursed ones. They have invited demise to our land and I will prove it. But, I knew if I told this to anyone, they would laugh at me, so I remained silent. I went home and greeted with a pair of brown orbs frowning at me but seeing her health gave me serenity. There she was, displeased at me.  Aubrey Solis, my wife, the love of my life.  Being the wife of the only doctor is a heavy task. I cannot provide her with time as much as I should, but I try my best to give my beloved everything. “Ace, you’re late… again…” Her strict tone came, arms folded. “You know the condition nowadays, Aubrey. Things are harsh.” I replied, putting the things I bought on the table and began to unbutton my shirt. “That is why I told you to shift to the city. What’s the point of living here? Anna can take care of them. You’re educated, a professional, then why are we here?” She argued, coming after me but she knows I hate this topic.  Going to the city and making a fine living there is not a big deal for me but I don’t want to. We are one of the richest here. There are only five mansions in Glaze and I own one of them. We are living a privileged life here too. “I have taken an oath to serve these people. I am all they have.They need me.” I reasoned coldly, putting my bag down and taking off my shirt after running my fingers in my hair. “What’s the point of it, Ace!? Why do you want to waste your talent here? Look at this damn village, people are dying. Who knows I will become one of them? Are you waiting for that?” She growled, losing her patience, but I was utterly tired of talking about this topic. “Aubrey, I am tired. Can we have dinner in silence?” I sighed, rubbing my shoulder to ease the pain in them.  “Oh, now you are becoming tired of me too?” She scoffed, rolling her eyes off. “Aubrey, stop dragging the conversation.” I warned her, stopping my track, glancing over my shoulder at her to stop this demeanor. “Why not, Ace?! We have been married for two years. I came here for you but all I face is a vacuous village, a husband who rarely comes home. I am getting sick of it, Ace!”  Raising her voice, Aubrey yelled, testing my already non-existent patience by her behavior.  “I told you already life with me was going to be rough. It was  your choice.” I replied nonchalantly, going to the bathroom to freshen up. “Ace-” She tried calling but I was in no mood to argue. I am already facing the heaviness of failing to save seventeen lives in a month. I cannot bear hearing I failed as a husband too. I try my best, I do everything I can for her, but it never seems enough. After taking a shower, I walked out and saw Aubrey sitting with a frown, puffing. Looking at her brought a smile on my lips. Coming closer, I wrapped my arms around her, resting my chin over her head. “Is your lava soothed yet?” I asked, kissing the top of her head. “I… just wish you could be here for us and think about our future.” She sighed, holding my arms, finally calming down. “I am doing everything I could for you.” I sighed back, no knowing what to say which could convince her. “It’s not enough, you make half of what you should have. Thanks to your land or else we could barely make any money or live an up-to-mark lifestyle.” She continued, but it pinched me. “Enough, Aubrey. I don’t want to talk about it. You have everything you desire. There is not a single wish of yours which I don’t fulfill and for time, whatever I gain, I give it to you.” I explained, curling my lips downwards, reminding her that she is still living a better life than most people. “Huff, leave it. Tell me, How was your day?” She asked softly, looking up at me, thankfully trying not to extend this topic anymore or else I might have lost my forbearance. “Terrible. Ava died. I failed… again” I whispered, nuzzling her neck, tightening my grip around her, closing my eyes, bearing the weight of a death is the worst feeling. “It’s not your fault, you tried your best, Ace.” She whispered, kissing my arms, rubbing my arm to soothe me. “But, I have to carry the weight of it, Aubrey. I don’t know what is happening anymore. People are dying and I can’t do anything about it.” I whispered, gritting my teeth, feeling powerless. “This will also pass.” She replied, turning to me, curling her lips upward. Sighing, I sat in front of her, holding her hands, unable to lift my gaze. “Aubrey, I don’t think you should stay here for the time being… It’s dangerous.” I began to say but she pulled her hand away, frowning. “I am not leaving you, Ace. I cannot leave you at this time.” She reasoned. “But-” “No buts. I am going to stay, I vowed to stay and I will.” She enunciated, which brought a faint smile on my lips. “Okay…” Sighing, I know it’s useless arguing with her. “So, what did you get?” She asked, pointing at the bag to which I smiled, “Dinner, what else? I am starving.” I chuckled. “I will heat it up.” She smiled, getting up as she took the bag. “So, you’re not angry anymore, right?” I asked playfully, grabbing her wrist, but she giggled, pulling away. “Only if you are going to get me some chocolates.” She winked, laughing a little. “Right now?” I asked, arching a brow, but smirking she challenged, “Can’t you do this for me?” She asked, and how can I say no to her?" “Whatever you say, Ma’am.” I sighed, laughing a little, getting up to get some chocolates for her. Shaking my head to shrug these thoughts off, I went to the local grocery store and saw old woman Miya there. The owner.  “How are you doing, Miya? Everything okay at home?” I asked, waving at her a little. “Yes, Dear. Why?” She chuckled nervously but I hummed, not replying, and went to buy something to cool down my outraged wife at home. My eyes fell upon the last bar of chocolate. I was about to grab it but someone else also tried to reach out for it and our hands collided for a second. I literally gasped because it felt like I had touched ice, those hands were freezing and pale.  “What the-” Mid-sentence, I looked up but there was a lady in a scarf, hiding her face. I opened my mouth to speak- to argue, because I was not taking any chance to further enrage my Aubrey, but before I could say anything, she moved back instantly. She had a pair of irresistible light blue eyes, shimmering like the ocean. They had a charm which unwillingly attracted me, I don’t understand how, but they did. But before I could observe her further, she moved back instantly. “Sorry. I should go.” Mumbling, she moved back and ran. Arching a brow, I knew I hadn't seen her face around. She must be from the cursed castle. “Wait-” Calling, I went after her, grabbing her wrist, earning a gasp from her. What an inhuman skin. She used her other hand and covered her face, but I could tell she would be the definition of grace. “Leave me.” Whispering, she yanked her hand back with brute force. Her strength was even incredible. “Listen-” I tried calling her but she went into another aisle. I went after her but when I got there, she was no longer there. I don't understand what caused me to grab her wrist in the first place. Intrigue, maybe? But there was something wrong. I could feel it. She literally disappeared. Who was she? What happened? Why did I grab her? I thought, but shaking my head, I simply grabbed my things and went home, not trying to think about the small encounter I had with that woman. Strangely, how could she be this cold? It’s not okay for a human. She might not survive at this rate. But, it’s none of my concern, I already have a load on my head, my tribulations to deal with, yet I cannot shrug this thought off from my mind.  What just happened?