The mixed smell of blood, vomit, and garbage fills the air. Kora reaches close to the entrance of West Street and looks around.
The entrance is a dark and thin alleyway full of garbage bags and dead rats. The mood feels heavy and people are sitting on the ground looking dead with dirty, ripped clothes and messy dry hair in the thin alleyway.
Because of the horrible smell and dirty yet creepy vibes, rarely anyone comes by West Street.
Kora holds tightly the bag full of things she bought for Jek in her arms. She looks horrified and disgusted and doesn't dare to get close.
"I know why Emili didn't want me to come here now...I should've realized something was off when there were fewer people around me while I continued walking closer to the destination. I'm having goosebumps...and this smell is seriously really bad..."
"The sun is about to set. It'll take me a long time to get back to the bakery and I'm certain I'll get in trouble even if I try to run back now since it's late. Since I'm going to get in trouble anyway...I may as well take a look inside since I came all the way here."
Kora takes a deep breath in and out. She covers her mouth and nose with her hand and slowly walks in through the alley.
While walking, she thinks about how disgusting this place is.
How can people live in these conditions? Ah! I think I stepped on something...was it a r-rat? No...don't think about it just keep walking!!
Kora tries to distract herself and eventually walks further into the alleyway.
There are a lot of tents built outside as well as buildings. There is barely any space to move around yet people sleep in their tents rather than in the buildings.
A small thin child comes out of one of the tents.
Kora looks at the thin child who is wearing ripped dirty clothing and then looks away.
"Maybe they couldn't afford to live in the buildings..."
Kora sees a light from afar. She eventually sees a building with a bright neon sign that says "Medic." Around the building, there are more tents with people inside.
Kora nervously takes a deep breath and slowly opens the front door.
She quietly says, "E-excuse me."
No one says anything.
Inside the building is a large group of people who are very thin and look like they haven't eaten in ages. There are some seats and beds but it is not enough for everyone to rest so many of them are sitting on the floor while some squeeze themselves into a bed that was already taken. Those who are very ill would vomit onto the ground. However, no one seemed to care about it as if it was a normal thing to see.
A patient in the clinic is walking somewhat towards where Kora is at. The patient stumbles over in Kora's direction and the patient says desperately yet weakly, "A-air...I can't breathe..."
The patient trips and falls to the ground.
Seeing the patient struggle so much, Kora decides to give him a helping hand.
"Are you alright!? Can you stand up?"
The patient grabs onto Kora's hand slowly unable to get back up and says "I can't...breathe...ha..."
"I-I'm sorry...I'm not a nurse or doctor. I will try to find you one, okay?"
Kora looks around anxiously.
"I don't know where they are...Um, let me get you a cup of water first maybe? Where's the water--?"
Just then, a cup of water appears in front of her face. She looks up to see who is offering her the cup of water and sees a tall person wearing a brown cloak.
"Oh! Thank you so much!"
Kora offers the water to the patient and the patient slowly drinks.
"You can get water over there."
The man points to the corner where the water is.
"It's all in big barrels so they won't get dirty easily. The cups are right beside it."
"Thank you! I was really panicking over here...You seem to know this place really well. Are there no doctors or nurses here?"
"Do you mean a Medic?"
He points at the furthest door from where they were at.
"The Medics are in that room. You have to line up and wait for your turn to get treated though. The staffs are really scarce here. Due to the battle from before, everyone is most likely too busy with their own problems so there are no volunteers currently taking care of the patients here."
"Ohh... I see."
Kora looks towards the line.
"It's a really long line, though. I wonder if this patient will be able to endure the pain until it's his turn..."
Kora looks at the patient worried then looks at the man who helped her out.
I don't know if I'm overthinking things but this guy in the brown cloak sounds really familiar...
"Give him the medicine first. It'll soothe his pain a little."
"O-okay. Thanks."
Kora takes the medicine from the man's hand and opens the bottle. Just then, Kora's eyes widen, and then she looks up at the man again.
"--Wait, you're-!