Previously it might have given a confusing idea to what Lucy wanted to prescribe but frankly it was the said assistant who was blind, not her. Thankfully.
"Since I didn't get a response, you must be feeling sore around your throat. I'll make you salty water for gargling."
How did Lucy know instantly about that lady's blindness? No, the lady wasn't holding a cane usually kept with the disabled, nor did she introduce herself as one.
It was the stare she gave just a little above Lucy's head. Which didn't falter for a long time. That was how she knew this woman couldn't see.
The woman in the very same dress as the others, floored the room all to the other side without hesitation. If she had been in her place, she was sure to have stumbled and fallen down at least twice.
"My name is Genevieve. You may call me Gene. It works when someone wants to call me for help." She was mixing something in a dish while Lucy was contemplating why the lady was here.
Genevieve's state was such where she needed most help. In the most unfortunate events as Lucy had read in newspapers, people losing their organs was common. Not that they donated them but it would so happen that one night they would be asleep with their family and the following morning one of the members could be missing.
The terror was struck all along such that people did not know who to ask for help. When the same member of the family was found back by luck or fate, he or she would be in lack of something that belonged to them.
Sometimes a kidney, an eye, other times, the dead person greeted back.
The source of such crime was obscure or suppressed. Only the ones capable of securing their home were safe. Others had to look out on each opportunity to not have a dead son or daughter in lying wake.
Lucy suddenly felt guilty for leaving the opera. All the bad things happening in the world were very well known to her yet there was an incessant craving to look for food among all that was bad. After all this world was a big, huge place. There surely could be something lurking underneath.
"Here." Gene smartly pulled the common tray in front of Lucy, then immediately turned to put the objects she gathered in their place. That way it did not give away her blindness to onlookers. Smart, yes.
But why was she doing it?
Lucy took the reins herself for gargling the mix and wiping her mouth. As her throat moistened, she went ahead to speak with the woman.
"How do you know my name?" Actually, it should be, how do you 'all' know my name. But Lucy waited to see what she had to say.
Expecting uneasiness from the angel like woman was next to impossible, Genevieve replied in flow, "Horan told me."
Lucy was unsure how to ask further as how did the Doctor come to know of her without her introducing self.
Or, did she introduce herself and had no recollection of it? Strange. Terrific even. What else could she have told them?
"Are we not supposed to?" Gene's questioner broke her thoughts.
"Uh. No, I just don't remember saying my name to anyone."
"I'm sure you'll come to remember soon. Do you remember how you ended up here?"
"Not completely. The last thing I remember is driving a car and hitting my head somewhere. And... that man was following me too, I think." Now that she asked, Lucy had not pondered on the important matter of how she was here. She had kept aside the cruel reality then, but she can't run away from it forever.
"What you went through was bad. I can only wish no other girl has to face that."
Lucy chuckled in her mind saying, "There are worse things happening to girls like me."
"But you survived." The way Genevieve said, seemed like she didn't want the goodwill for Lucy. The likeliness of being deceived again caused Lucy to be alert to what she will speak with this woman.
"Come on. It's time for medicines."
Ha! Was this a joke? How the hell will she know if a patient ate the medicines or not! Dr Horan surely did not take her seriously, that's why he put a blind, emotionless servant as assistant.
As planned, Lucy took the tablets in her palm when Genevieve handed them out; slightly touching the woman's hand to indicate it an accidental touch.
Genevieve didn't drop any tablet while dropping them right where they should be.
Lucy would be called a fool if she trusted this woman or the ordeal for caring her. Horan would have worked just fine, but she knew there were people in name of doctors who deliberately turned patients unconscious just to make sure they never woke up to see the profit made from their invaluable body.
Such things were so high in demand that only a handful legitimised operations were left who dealt with human and animal organs.
There were additions of fake institutions as well, the knowledge of which was not easy to distinguish.
"Thank you." Lucy brought her palm full of medicines near her mouth only to act as if she swallowed them, while hiding them inside the blanket.
Without much mess, she did it outrightly in front of the woman.
Genevieve left her after ensuring the medicines did their job.
"Did she eat them?" Horan's question popped as soon as she closed their room's door shut.
"No."
The answer surprised him, he whirled around to look over at his wife.
"She figured out?"
"Yes," came her calm reply. "The girl is exactly what was described about."
Though Horan appeared calm in the front for all his patients because he knew most of them expected never to wake up again after falling asleep. He wasn't a very patient man earlier. A contrast compared to his wife Genevieve.
"Did you say something to her?" Horan instantly became suspicious as to how the girl Lucy found of Gene's blindness. And to top that, she didn't even eat the medicines prescribed for genuine improvement of health.
Genevieve was undressing the work gown worn by every female living in this community, despite her blindness she could feel the air talk to her. When one of her damaged senses was compensated by others doubly, she considered herself as the luckiest woman alive.
"Your sense of trust in me is something to ponder upon. Don't you think?" Putting across the last robe of night gown, she faced to her husband's direction.
"Gene-"
"You don't have to apologise." She once again said the obvious before continuing, "She is a smart girl Horan. Tricking her in believing us won't work in getting her on our side."
Horan sighed loudly as he added woods to the fire place. The night was colder today.
"If he hears we haven't taken proper care of her.... you remember the last time he lost control."
Genevieve hummed while the couple thought of the same man. " Get me a glass please darling."
She took her usual seat in the couch, resting her forehead within the tips of her fingers. She felt her husband kiss her forehead before handing her favourite wine.
"Only few more glasses are left of this." Horan placed himself beside her.
"I have to make more then." Gene replied sipping it. He pulled his wife gently who placed her head on his chest and his fingers began caressing her silky, straight hair.
"It's a pity you can't see how beautiful you become each passing day." Horan watched his wife lovingly as the simplest woman was enveloped in his arms.
"You see it. That is enough for me."
He watched the disabled, strong woman who agreed to be his, accepting the traits which came after their union.
She could not see yet he always felt she was the only one to know him. There were women who tried to get involved with him, considering the status of his family background.
All that ceases when he decided to join his wife two years ago. Since then he had been a part of All Souls. Genevieve was here since she was born and left at the doorstep of this community. Either way, her parents were merciful to not let her be the toy in this unsafe world. For Horan, thanking this institution was never enough.
But that didn't mean he would let the current owner of this place rule on his own will.
"I'll speak with him. You don't have to worry."
Genevieve clutched his hand back to stop him from leaving. Placing the glass on the floor beside the couch, she faced his direction.
"This time, I'll go."
As expected, her husband turned furious.
"I can't let you around him Gene, you know how that. Not even for a second!"
"He won't harm me." She insisted.
"You think he won't harm you until he has already had his way and you are unable to do anything!" They turned silent as Horan repeated the sad reminder. The last time Genevieve went to visit him, she returned back with blind eyes. That was two years ago. Soon after their marriage. Since then, Horan made sure to keep his wife out of that maniac's clutches who saw every walking obstacle as his target to some unknown goal.
His knuckles were touched by her, pleading him to cool down but he tightened his hold firmly around her hands.
"No Gene. I won't allow you that."
"You said earlier, for the girl to come on our side, we have to ensure to be trustworthy. This could be the start. Please darling, listen to me this once. I need to do this." She said it over his lips, kissing him in approval.
"It's not fair."
"Nothing is fair nowadays."
"Don't change the topic." Genevieve snickered at her husband. " I will be waiting outside his gate. Ten minutes or I'll break into his room to get you. I am not joking of this at all Genee."
He knew she couldn't see him, yet he held her in shoulder's level directly to make sure she understood what he meant.
"Okay."