We Are The Cure : The Plague Doctor's Tale.

Chapter 13

They rushed into the Rectory where, to their surprise, they met Mary. She was standing in the room which could have been called a living room, with a long sofa and two armchairs. The whole room was dark but combined with Mary's black dress, it looked even darker. She was looking out of the window. When she heard their footsteps she turned around to face them.

"So you know that too." She said trying to hide her smile.

"What is the reason behind your presence here?" Doctor frowned and Rosalynn was still bewildered. She could only stand there and observe the two conversing.

"Well..." Mary started circling the room. "Let's say I have a dream to be the last person this old prick sees right before he dies." She smiled sadistically.

"Is Reverend in his bedroom?" She sat down on the sofa and lazily nodded. Doctor and Rosalynn hurried to the room with the dying man.

When they entered the bedroom they saw Jack sitting by the side of the priest. Doctor came closer and using his cane he threw the sheets aside and Reverend's bed clothing. Indeed, he had plague and gangrene symptoms which were visible due to the blackness of his hands. The old man looked devastated, all pale almost like he was already dead. 

"I must admit that I understand nothing of this nonsense." Doctor said confused. "We have seen him no longer than 5 days back and he wasn't infected. How is that possible?" He carefully raised Reverend's wrist and checked the pulse. It was hard to assess whether he was still alive or not. Additionally he checked his breathing as it remained the only reliable way of examining one's bodily functions. He took the silver spoon which was lying on the bed side table and placed it near Reverend's grey lips. His breathing was very week. 

He looked at Jack who suddenly stood up and approached the bureau. Just right now Doctor noticed that the gravedigger was wearing gloves. Jack opened one of the drawers and took a small brown sack. Both Rosalynn and Doctor were astonished when they saw Jack handing the sack into Doctor's hands. 

"I think Father Samuel would like to pay you before his death." He said quietly without even looking at Doctor. Jack was looking in Reverend's direction. 

"We cannot keep this payment." Doctor protested still confused and followed his gaze. He noticed the Reverend looking at him with his eyes wide open, or at least he thought he did until someone who was standing by the door spoke out.

"As promised. I'm your angel of death, old prick. So now, go to hell." Mary smiled approaching the body. "Doctor, is he dead?" She looked in Doctor's direction. Still holding the small sack in his hands he came closer and could confirm Reverend's death. There were no signs of life in priest's body. "He died of plague, didn't he?" 

"There is no doubt, however-" Doctor wanted to finish his sentence but he wasn't even given a chance.

"Then your job is done." She handed him the same plant they were delivering to her few days before. "You're free to go. Oh, and you can keep it as a souvenir."

"Excuse me but what is going on?" Rosalynn was finally able to utter a short sentence.

"My sweet Plague Nurse." Mary turned to her. "Don't you know what happened?" Her face remained an innocent look. Rosalynn shook her head still confused.

"They infected Reverend with plague." Doctor said quietly truly impressed with their doings. It was the first time he heard of anyone who with malice would make other person fall sick with pestilence. Mary smiled. "I knew that you were clever enough, Doctor. Your cleverness, however, was my main concern as you could spoil my plan. But fortunately, everything went so smooth."

"You were the one who was stealing villagers' possessions and spreading the rumors about us." Doctor was directly looking at Mary. 

"Well, I wouldn't take credit for all these things that have happened through these days." She looked at Jack and he sighed. "I can only admit to spreading the rumors." She giggled. 

"I was the one who was taking the things." To their surprise Jack spoke up unexpectedly. Doctor looked at hemlock in his hand and then he understood.

"Now I see." By the tone in Doctor's voice, he was impressed. "What an elaborate plan you had. This plant was a sign that Reverend fell sick." He looked at the two and then at Rosalynn. Assessing by the confused look on her face he decided to explain it to Rosalynn as she remained the only person in the room who still couldn't get the grasp of the whole idea. "Rosalynn, do you remember which Plague Doctors' rule is the most important?"

"The one about sterility?" Rosalynn guessed.

"Exactly. The view you see here is the consequence of ignoring this rule." He pointed to the mug, spoon and plate on the bedside table. "These things here belonged to the sick we were treating. Including the sheets here and the pyjamas Reverend is wearing." Then Rosalynn made a surprised look.

"Now I remember!" She looked at Jack. "One day you were carrying these sheets to the Rectory."

"The only thing that bothers me is the motif behind all that. As in Mary's case it is apparent that she hated Reverend Cryer, it makes me wonder, what must have happened that you helped her, Jack." Doctor was intensively looking at the gravedigger.

"There are certain things I would like to not mention." He made a little pause. "Let's say that Father Samuel did what he did and I felt obligated to help Mary." 

"I assume it was not only the mutual hostility towards Reverend."

"Ugh, fine. If you insist." Mary burst. "This old prick had an affair with my older sister but when he found out she is pregnant with his child he decided to choke her to death." Her look was as cold as steel. " I just couldn't forgive him..."

"I see but where is Jack in this madness?" Doctor asked and Mary smirked. 

"He was the one who was helping that priest to hide the evidence." She started circling the room. "I saw him hanging my sister's body on a tree to make it look as she committed suicide. Then I found out that he wants to get rid of Cryer as well."

"And what is the reason behind that?" Hearing this question Jack was avoiding the eye contact.

"It's none of your business. Just leave the village." The gravedigger said quietly.

"Oh I can tell you." Mary spoke out and Jack started shaking his head. "That priest knew his secret."

"What secret?" Asked Rosalynn and all eyes turned to Jack who remained silent.

"That his true name is Matthew Hopkins and he is a fucking witch hunter." Mary said that with malice and unexpectedly rushed  in Jack's direction with a dagger in her hand.