Back inside Andrew's modest home. He sat close to his uncle, carefully applying ointment to his wounds.
He stayed by his side, silently watching over him until his breathing grew steady and his eyes closed in sleep.
Once Andrew was sure his uncle had finally found some rest, he quietly left the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
Stepping outside, he noticed the change in the sky.
"A storm?" Andrew muttered to himself, his brow furrowed in concern.
He moved swiftly, securing loose items, and making necessary arrangements to protect the crops and the homestead.
He worked tirelessly, his thoughts never straying far from the house, where his uncle lay resting.
But then, just as he was halfway through his tasks, a sound came piercing the air, a sound that made Andrew's blood run cold.
It was a cry of pain, raw and gut-wrenching, coming from inside the house.
His heart sank in his chest as he realized it was his uncle. Panic gripped him, and without a second thought, he abandoned his work and sprinted back towards the house.
Andrew's mind raced, a whirlwind of fear as he burst through the door. The sight that met his eyes was more horrifying than anything he could have imagined.
His uncle lay on the floor, his body convulsing violently. His face was contorted in agony, his breathing ragged and uneven. And he was vomiting uncontrollably, his body trembled with pain that seemed to tear through him with each breath.
For a moment, Andrew stood there frozen in his tracks, his mind struggling to process the scene before him. It felt as if time had stopped, and all he could do was stare in horror.
Then, as if snapped out of a trance, Andrew sprang into action. Adrenaline surged through his veins, propelling him forward. He rushed to his uncle's side, his hands trembling as he tried to figure out what to do next!
Summoning all the strength he could master, Andrew lifted his uncle onto his shoulders. His weight pressed down on him, but his determination was stronger and unwavering.
Driven by a force that came from within him, he managed to carry his uncle out of the house and carefully placed him onto the old wooden wagon. He hurried covered his uncle with clothes and grain.
Once his uncle was secured on the wagon, Andrew took his place at the front, gripping the reins, tightly.
Despite having no shoes to protect his feet, he urged the horse forward, setting off, down the hill at a fast pace. The wagon jolted and bounced over the uneven path, but Andrew didn't waver. His only focus was on getting his uncle to safety, no matter the cost.
As the wagon sped down the hill, the storm clouds above continued to gather and soon the first drops of rain began to fall.
As they descended into the village, Andrew navigated through the narrow, winding streets with urgency.
The villagers, noticing the frantic pace and the distressed look on Andrew's face, stepped aside, watching them with concern.
"Uncle, it is going to be okay!! You are going to be alright!!" he reassured, his voice steady, despite the fear gnawing at him.
The clinic where the village doctor saw his patients was a modest, house-like building, located in the middle of the village.
A large white cross was prominently displayed on the porch, indicating the presence of help within.
In one corner of the porch, a simple bicycle stood leaning against the wall, its wheels slightly muddy from recent use.
Andrew's heart raced as he stopped the wagon abruptly in front of the clinic. The urgency of the situation was palpable as he leaped down from his seat, his feet landing heavily on the wet, muddy ground. The rain had begun to fall in earnest now, drenching him completely, but he paid no attention to the discomfort.
He dashed to the back of the wagon, and with practiced care, Andrew gently but swiftly helped his uncle down from the wagon and supported him as they hurried towards the shelter of the clinic.
"Help! We need help!" Andrew's voice rang out, cutting through the loud tension of the heavy rain.
Within moments, the door of the clinic swung open, revealing the doctor—a kind-looking man with a reassuring presence. His expression shifting from calm to concern as he took in the sight before him.
"Bring him inside!" the doctor instructed, his voice firm but gentle, as he stepped aside to make way for Andrew and his uncle.
The warmth and light from inside spilled out onto the dark, rain-soaked street.
Andrew hurried into the clinic, his footsteps echoing on the wooden floor as he carried his uncle across the threshold. The clinic smelled of antiseptic and herbs, a comforting scent that mingled with the tension in the air. He laid his uncle down on a sturdy examination table, careful to support his head and limbs.
The doctor immediately began his examination, his skilled hands moving with practiced efficiency, while Andrew stood by, his eyes never leaving his uncle's face, silently praying for a miracle.
The doctor, who was efficiently examining Roger, suddenly called out with a commanding tone. "Nurse!! Hurry here!!"
The nurse, a young woman with a calm demeanor and quick reflexes, appeared almost immediately, her eyes wide with concern as she took in the scene.
The doctor turned to Andrew and asked with urgency, "Did you notice anything else other than these symptoms?" His eyes bore into Andrew's, seeking any additional information that could aid in the diagnosis.
Andrew, his voice trembling with worry, shook his head slightly. "No, doctor... nothing else, this is the first time I am watching my uncle like this," he replied, his voice trembled with worry and concern.
His eyes darted to his uncle's pale face, then back to the doctor, his heart aching with desperation. "Is he going to be okay...??!" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The doctor paused for a moment, his gaze softening as he looked at Andrew. "We'll do everything, we can," he promised firmly.
He turned to the nurse and began issuing instructions. "We need to stabilize his breathing. Prepare the necessary medications."
"Andrew, you need to calm down and wait for me outside," the doctor instructed firmly, his hands gentle but resolute as he guided Andrew towards the door.
Despite Andrew's resistance, the doctor's calm authority prevailed. "I am doctor, Andrew. You have brought your uncle at the correct place," and with a final, reassuring glance, the doctor closed the door and locked, leaving Andrew standing in the corridor, his heart pounding with anxiety and helplessness.
Inside the room, the doctor turned to the nurse, "Nurse, go and tell my son to bring anesthesia and oxygen cylinders from Hinikow," he instructed, the urgency in his voice was unmistakable.
The nurse dashed to the telephone, which was placed on a table in the corner of the room. Her fingers efficiently dialed the number of the doctor's son. She held her breath, waiting for an answer, but there was nothing but silence from the other end.
Undeterred, she dialed again, her anxiety mounting. The result was the same—no answer. She gulped down her frustration and turned to look at the doctor, who was deeply focused on attending to Roger.
"Doctor, your son is not picking up the call..." she said, her voice wavering slightly.
The doctor did not reply immediately, but it was clear he had heard her. His brow furrowed in concentration as he continued to work on stabilizing Roger.
After a moment, he quickly scribbled something down on a piece of paper and while handing it to the nurse, he instructed, "Go and give this to Andrew Moons, his nephew."
The nurse was efficient as she took the piece of paper from the doctor and dashed to the door.
Opening it slightly and she stepped out, her expression grave. "Andrew, we need some necessary things urgently," she said, her voice tense with urgency.
She handed him the piece of paper, her eyes meeting his with a look of earnest concern, "You must hurry and bring these here, or I cannot say how long your uncle can hold on. His condition is getting worse..."
Andrew's hands trembled slightly as he took the paper from her. The nurse continued, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "I don't know how you are going to bring them, but you must hurry. The items we need are written on this. You must go to the next village. Hinikow is that village's doctor. The things you must bring are Anaesthesia and oxygen cylinders, keep in mind."
Andrew nodded, his mind racing. "I'll get them," he promised, his voice firm with determination. Without wasting another second, he turned and sprinted towards the clinic's entrance.
Inside the room, "Why do I think that this is not only today that Roger is having these kinds of reactions?" murmured the doctor under his breath.