Ember's Eve

Outlandish Visit

She had barely caught a glimpse of the scorching sun when Rose shaded her with the umbrella.

"Sorry about that" apologised Rose.

"It's just the sun Rose," Felicia said "There's nothing to be sorry about."

"Scorching December suns are not my favourite"

"It's the beauty of Daunthill" Felicia replied

Rose watched the sixty-five-year-old hit the lock button on the remote before letting it sink into her purse. She admired Felicia's purple gown with transparent sleeves, the pearls on her neck, and of course the, royal crested, golden ring around her finger which gave off its radiance like a miniature sun. 

But Rose would be lying if she said she'd only admired Felicia's outfit. Ever since Felicia chose her to oversee the patient, Rose had developed an obsession for the woman's royalty. Rose once considered changing her skin colour to that of Felicia's but repudiated the idea because she felt no artificial process could replace such perfect tawny skin. Besides, it would be way above her pay grade.

"You seem to be of high spirit today," Felicia noted as they walked "Anything I should know?"

"Uh, how could I forget," Rose shook her head "There's been so much improvement with Lua since your last visit"

"Really?!"

"Yeah, she's been interacting with her new roommates, signing up for classes..." explained Rose "It's a breakthrough"

"That's amazing!" Felicia exclaimed

"I know" agreed rose "She can't wait to meet you"

"I..." Felicia was interrupted by the sound of the man in a straitjacket who just barged through the glazed front doors of the rehab center. He dashed into the parking lot before the three men in white who'd emerged after him, caught and tackled him to the ground. Felicia watched the man struggle to break free as he bit deep into the arm of one of the men in white.

"Who's that?" asked Felicia.

"That is Alex, he came in yesterday" Rose answered, "the report said he just started screaming and hitting people at his workplace. He hasn't settled since he got here and he barely responds to sedatives."

"Oh God," Felicia rubbed her arm.

"Some rumors say he was on some type of new drug, while others say he was close to the Wilson before... last night happened."

"Last night?" Felicia paused in front of the door.

"You didn't hear?" Rose closed the umbrella as they had a shade above them "the Wilson's were hit last night, no survivors. Well, it's not on the news yet but word from the Lady No Good has gone round. "

Felicia felt a lump form in her throat. She couldn't tell which was worse, watching the foamy substance stream from Alex's mouth as they injected him or the news she'd just received. Daunthill was falling apart, and she would have to bear the pain of watching it. Such events would leave mental scars. Rose watched Felicia stare at Alex for a couple of seconds before alerting her.

"Miss Dilli?" she asked, "Are you okay?"

"Perfect" Felicia lied "Let's go"

Rose opened the door and ushered Felicia inside. The abrupt drop in temperature worsened Felicia's condition. Goosebumps surfaced on Felicia's epidermis. On one hand, she rubbed her thumb over the crest on her ring while clenching tightly to the purse on the other as she walked into the reception. 

The sound that came from her hills meeting the ground after every step ravished everyone's attention. These days, it was rare to see anyone affiliated with the royal family outside Royal Avenue. But here was Felicia Dilli, a woman born of royal blood, devoid of security and loitering around a rehabilitation center.