Humaroo Tales #1

*Spoilers for the Enigma Series* 

Why was she like this? I didn’t understand her at all. I thought I did. I grew up with her, and yet she was trying to hide how bad the infection was spreading from me. I’m a doctor for caelum’s propter! Even Brenda was at her wits end. Britney was stubborn and ornery, but I never thought she’d refuse medical help for something so life threatening.

She seemed convinced there was nothing that could be done, but she didn’t even give Brenda and I the chance. It also didn’t help when she had such a “party til you die” mentality. The war forced her to take charge and slow down a bit, but otherwise she was being careless. I couldn’t stand seeing her blackened leg. It should’ve been completely dead. Maggots had found their way into it, and yet she was still running around on it like it was nothing. I don’t know how long Britney knew the infection had spread to the rest of her body, but I’ll never forget that day. The day she finally came out to everyone. Though, hearing it outloud like that hit me the hardest. I didn’t want to believe it was actually happening. That Britney was going to die. But, it was real. My motherly instincts and doctor knowledge clashed trying to think of something; anything to try to save her, but it was already too late. If Brenda wasn’t able to do anything, then neither could I.

If only Britney had let us help her sooner. Amputation could’ve been the answer if we couldn’t get all of the infection out. But, knowing her, she’d rather die than give up a leg. She was so infuriating. How could I just let her die? Before she finished her announcement with her apologies and such, I left the back of the crowd to get back to my patients. I wasn’t going to hear it. I got back to the ones I could still help to keep myself busy. Once I was done patching up everyone, organizing my new medical materials, and checking on everyone else, Britney came up behind me waiting for me to notice. My little jump got a smile out of her as she tried to hold back a laugh. Still upset, I walked past her and went into the cabin.

Having a cup of tea helped me gather my thoughts. And, I realized this was my way of coping. I had lost my mother in a traumatic way when I was young, and Britney and Brenda had helped fill that role. Pushing Britney away was my way of mentally preparing to lose her, but I couldn’t just ignore her forever. I had to face it head on. Finishing my tea, I took a deep breath to prepare for a chat with Britney. I could only hope she was going to take matters more seriously and not shrug it off like it was nothing. I found her waiting in the same spot for me, but this time she had taken a seat on the bench. At least she was off of her leg. She gestured to me by patting the seat next to her. I took another deep breath as I sat down ready for some remark on how it’s not going to be that bad without her, or how she’ll haunt me as a ghost. But, she wrapped her arm around my shoulders, and I couldn’t help but lay my head on her shoulder as I felt the tears start rolling down my cheeks. Her other arm came around the front for an embrace, and I settled on hugging her back. We sat like that for a good few minutes or so before I let go. She handed me a tissue, and we sat in silence as I wiped away my tears. Even Jeremy, my six year old, came to sit on my lap. Feeling more relaxed than I had in days, spending time alone together again made me appreciate what little time we had left with each other.