When Lloyd went out, the sun was shining bright. He squinted, his hair shimmering under the sunlight. A gust of wind flew by and tousled his shiny hair.
He walked further into town, near the wooden houses. In the center, as if the village revolved around it, was a building made out of pristine white, cut stone. Two arched windows sat on either side of the entrance and reflected the blinding light. Stepping back a feet, Lloyd read out the sign plastered on the building "Doctor's Clinic".
He pushed open the door and tried to find a seat, but despite coming over so early, the waiting room was packed. He choose a discrete corner to lower his presence.
Placing a hand on his chest, Lloyd steadied his heart.
Just breathe
There were so many people in the room, what if somebody recognized him? He felt the invisible stares of dozens.
I'm just imagining things. Calm down.
Finally, he stood up straight and nonchalant and headed towards the reception desk.
"Can I make an appointment?"
"Sure thing, just fill this out." The man handling the counter slid a clipboard over to him.
Lloyd filled it out and retreated back to his corner. Half an hour later, his name was called.
That was quick.
With heavy steps, he made his way to the Doctor's office.
…
Sitting on a chair was a man with dark brown hair, some strands turned silver at the temple. His brows were tightly knit with fine lines on his forehead. He pressed a finger to his lips, biting the nails and the skin around it off. His sharp ears perked up at the sound of a pushed door. He placed his hand down, smiled, and turned around.
"Welcome! How can I help you?" His voice was light and high-pitched for a man.
"Uh, I came to pick up my pills." Lloyd scratched the back of his head.
"Really? Only took you a few years." The doctor chuckled as he searched through a cabinet installed into the wall.
The cabinet was neatly organized with bottle under every townsfolk's name. Looking down, Lloyd saw his own name written in black marker.
With a plop, the doctor took out his antibiotics.
"Here you go. I'm surprised you made it through all this time without them." He reached out a gloved hand.
The doctor was a miracle descending onto the village. Diseases were quite common after all, his area was known for deadly winters and vicious summers. The most nearby hospital was miles away and cars weren't used here. However, when the doctor set up his shop, he prescribed the village with his own specially made pills that kept everybody healthy.
Or at least that's what Lloyd's parents told him.
The doctor was around long before Lloyd was born.
"Thanks"
"Now, is there anything you would like to discuss?" The doctor added.
Lloyd audibly gulped.
"D-Did my mom come over frequently?"
"Emilia? Lloyd, a doctor can't disclose their patients private information. The brown-haired man's voice deepened.
"But she's…gone. I found anti-depressants belonging to her. I just wanted to know if she told you anything important regarding her mental state."
The older man sighed. He placed a hand on Lloyd's shoulder, gripping tightly.
"I still can't disclose such information. We may be in a rural area, but I still have my principles. Don't hold it against me, please."
"As you already said, Emilia's unfortunately gone."
The doctor gave Lloyd a lighthearted smile before continuing.
"What's done is done, just cut your losses and move on. Lloyd, you've been struggling enough. Why bother feeling upset over someone who's been long gone? Just take a breather and you should be alright. I can even prescribe you the same antidepressants, you clearly seem like you need it" The doctor spoke confidently with a tinge of pity.
"...What the hell do you know?!" Lloyd gritted his teeth.
"Cut my losses?! That's my mom you're talking about!" Lloyd shook of the doctor's hand and grabbed his white coat by the collar.
The corner up the older man's lips twitched. The man didn't try to put up a fight.
"Calm down kid. I'm just looking out for you." He stared at Lloyd directly, calm brown eyes peering into agitated blue ones.
"..." Lloyd let go.
"Shit" He digged his fingers into his palm subconsciously.
"I'm sorry. Thanks for the medicine" With that, he stormed off.
…
As the door slammed, the older man stared at his palm. Faint traces of blue particles were stuck onto it. Surrounding the room were also mana particles, jittering and moving around.
A kid is still a kid.
With a wave of the doctor's hand, the particles split into two and completely disintegrated.
But 3 years is all it took to reduce the effects.
"I'll have to up the dosage" The man muttered.
…
Fuck! What is wrong with me?!
Lloyd smacked his own head. He shouldn't have blown up like that on an innocent man. Sure, the comments were a bit careless, but it didn't mean he had to resort to violence.
It was clear that he let his emotions get the best of him. Again. Always these stupid fucking emotions making his blood pump and his heart spike.
He walked back home, heart heavy. He sat down on the table, got some water, and downed a pill.
His head thumped. Lloyd massaged his aching forehead. Chalking it up as exhaustion, he went to bed for a quick nap. Silvia was still sleeping. Her pink lips curved and her face serene.
"Having a sweet dream?" Lloyd poked her cheek.
Of course, the sleeping beauty didn't respond.
Lloyd kissed the spot he poked and cuddled up next to her. He pulled his personal heater into his arms and fell asleep rather quickly.