The dull chatter of mechanical servos creaked inside the sterile doctor’s office, metal arms adjusting themselves and every so often sparked as they assemble a glass tube. Helibor’s steps moved behind me, just out of sight. I dangled my feet off the foot rest, watching the chair adjusts itself as if to perfect its comfort. A needle was inserted into my forearm, pumping a stable line of red. The beep of a heart monitor canvased the background to a steady beat.

“I already have had blood taken twice this month.” I complained, laying my head onto the rest. Helibor’s steps stopped their course. “The rules are twice a month, it is for my own good. Right, well, why again so soon?” After the beach insodent I began giving blood monthly. It was hard to accept at first. The sting of the needles in my arm went away. I was all too used to the sensation. Though Hellibor was good to me. He never missed the vein. He certainly was well practiced.

A titter escaped Helibor before he recomposed himself. “My, you do know the rules rather well, don’t you.” Stepping into view, he bore a warm smile on his face. With that look, he made me uncomfortable. He is never one to smile, especially when questioned. The thing is like an article of the wrong style and color. It just appeared utterly out of place on him. My fingers grip the armrests tightly. “Well, you always are such a smart girl. There has been a complication in your treatment. Our window of opportunity has closed some. We are not getting the results we need out of you. What I mean to say is we have less time. I want to make sure you are healthy, but we need to take a little extra blood from you. Just to make sure everything works out.”

I stayed quiet as I contemplate my response. The rules, iron clad laws that constantly twist into new ornaments to suit the needs of some unknown agenda. It appeared as though the rules only applied to me, and rather the rules themselves were nothing more than a means of control. I didn’t appreciate the constant shifting. “I never agreed to this.”

Patting my leg, Helibor let out a hearty laugh standing to his full height. “I don‘t believe you did in the first place. In fact, if I remember correctly, you used to fight tooth and nail against it. I remember you hiding in those vents.” he chided, turning away. “Always hiding and trying to miss your appointment, but I always knew you had to eat so I would wait until you got hungry. Primina, I cherish you. You are a treasure among treasures, a real fountain of miracles.”

I smalled back into Helibor’s chair, suddenly reminded of that fact. “I noticed a guy I used to see by the river has not been there in a while. Also that lady who runs the commissary, she’s also missing. Where is everyone going?”

Placing his hand on the thick glass bottle, Helibor inspect the crimson fluid. I had not even been aware he had removed the sample. “More.” He cleared his throat, his graying blue eyes locking onto mine. “Well, I don’t know where they went. I tell you what? How about after you rest we go look for them?”

~

The grass against my legs felt nice. The familiar springy sensation is just enough not to irritate the skin. The smell of roasted onions and steak smothered in a creamy red pepper cheese sauce wafted from the plate resting on my lap. Raw dark leafy greens were to the side with a small pile of cherries for dessert. I dipped my fork into the steak, releasing a hidden spring of juice. Then I feel an unusual sensation on my back. “Vanity? How come you never have dinner with me?” Tender hands forced themselves onto me. The contact is not entirely unwelcome. If I must be honest, I longed for her touch. Being at arm’s distance every day becomes rather tiring and lonely. All the same, I knew it was wrong.

“Silly, you already know that.” Vanity chuckled. “I don’t eat until later after my shift.”

“Yeah, but I am eating now. So why don‘t you just eat with me sometime. Or maybe I could eat later.” I lifted a fork full of greens, looking back to Vanity. Her nurse’s uniform is proper, as always. A suit similar to mine, only mostly white except for the hem lines of blue.

She wore a soft smile today. Different from her usual one. “You have a special eating schedule to insure you have the energy you need. After all, you are having a lot of blood draws, and it seems like Hellibor wants to increase that schedule. It is important you get the right nutrition or else you may get sick.”

“If it can make me sick, then why are you doing it?” A tingling yet comforting sensation crawled through my hair. I could feel the tips of Vanity’s fingers walking their way across my scalp as they untangle the loose ends of my hair. This is too much. Too dangerous. If she pulled out my hair, who knows what could happen. “You’re touching me.“ I bursted out. “Vanity, that is not allowed.” Vanity hummed as she continued running her fingers through. “Vanity?” I called again.

“O’ Prina, stop. Don’t worry about things so much.” I tried to accept the unusual behavior, my eyes gazing over the open park. The mossy ground, the stone floors and wooden path. The sky a glassy reflection of the ground, almost as though looking out of water.

Alas, my fears got the better of me and I could not withstand it any longer. “But we could hurt each other.” I groaned with discomfort.

“Prina, does it hurt?” Admittedly it did not, I shook my head in subtle response. “So, it can’t be bad, can it?” I could’t help but have visions of Vanity latching onto my locks from behind and ripping them all out with one full swoop. Removing the uppermost layer of skin from my skull as well. Exposing my brain to the open air, leaving me screaming in agony. Such vile thoughts…

I took another fork full of greens, chewing deliberately longer than usual, giving myself some time to think. It was true; it did not hurt. I never understood what was so bad about touching. These new fears of morbid crippling sort of developed like cautionary tales. I swallowed. “But, we could get into trouble.”

A curtain of black hairs fell onto my face, tickling my nose. I pushed against the strands, trying to brush the nighty screen away. “Stop it, Vanity.” I chirped as the sensation draws me to laughter. Vanity’s fingers tittled and wriggled, jumping my ribs. The tickling sensation ran down my spine as I toppled onto the ground releasing a loud giggle. “Stop Vanity! I am going to pee!” Vanity laid next to me on her back, letting out a little huff of her own.

“That was fun.”

A pair of legs fast approached, turning my head to see Hellibor’s face crinkled into a demonic mask of rage. “Vanity!” he boomed. “What in the world are you doing!” With wide eyes, Vanity raised to her feet. I had never seen anyone move that swiftly before. He pointed his sharp finger towards the entrance gates to the small garden enclosure. “Out!” Vanity lowered her head and does not say a word as she quickly left. His venomous gaze latched onto me as I still remained on my knees.

“What did I tell you Primina! You could have damaged her! You are never to touch others, ever.” Hellibor wagged his shaking finger. “In the old days!” he roared as I cowered beneath his wrathful thunder. “I would have strangled you dead for this! Watched the life crawl from your bloody tears.” Warm tears streamed down my cheeks; for all the joy I had fled the room, replaced with a tense sense of foreboding. “From now on, the both of you will be separated!”

“No.” my heart screamed. That, I could not have survived that. She was my only real friend. I needed Vanity! “Hellibor it was my fault.” I cried. “I should not have touched her. I am so sorry!” The words flew with little thought. “Please, I won’t do it again.” I cracked.

His head only shook with that emotionless, frigid expression. “Fine, but for right now you eat your food. I will decide what to do later. After you are to report back to your quarters until I tell you to leave. Do I make myself clear?” It petrified me. All I could do was nod as the rest of me fell under his curse. Turning from me, Helibore marched out of the room leaving me alone in the garden with my plate of mandatory food.