The doctor didn't bring the plague Chapter 4: Dark is the night

Read chapter 4 of The doctor didn't bring the plague by Samael on NovelPedia.

The rest of the day passed without anything remarkable. With few customers to attend to, Fenric went about his usual routine, unaware of how time slipped by,, hardly noticing when the sun finally sank beyond the horizon. By the time night arrived, the village’s lively atmosphere was long gone. Hardly any passersby walked the streets anymore. Looking out the window, Fenric let out a silent sigh as he stole one last glance at the empty café. 'Time to close up' For the final time, he swept the floor and cleaned everything carefully. 'Health protocols are sacred' he chuckled inwardly. Stepping outside, he pulled the door shut behind him. The familiar smile he wore throughout the day slowly faded as he stood in silence before the building, the quiet of the night settling heavily around him. He walked down the lonely streets bathed in moonlight, the echo of his footsteps his only companion along the road. Suddenly, a black crow descended from the sky, gently landing on his shoulder. 'Maria must’ve made it safely to the city' The thought warmed his heart ,a soft smile curved his lips as he petted the bird. “Good boy,” he murmured. The crow let out a cheerful caw, and then like spilled ink it melted into the shadows, leaving no trace behind behind. The street fell silent once more. Fenric paused for a moment, then adjusted the strap of his bag and turned away from the village lights. With each step, the stone road beneath his feet gave way to dirt and fallen leaves, the faint glow of lanterns fading behind him. Ahead, the familiar forest awaited. He followed the narrow path without hesitation. He had long grew accustomed to this route , yet tonight the silence pressed heavier against his chest. The further he walked, the more quieter grew the sound of the village, replaced by the whisper of wind through the trees and the soft crunch of leaves beneath his boots. It didn’t take long before he reached his destination. A small, humble shack rested at the forest’s edge, It was where he spent his days and nights ever since opening the café in the village. As he stepped inside, Fenric glanced around the neatly tidied space and paused in thought. 'When did I clean this last time?' For a moment, he wondered if Maria had done it only to quickly dismiss the idea. She was hopeless when it came to chores. A soft giggle escaped him as he recalled her attempt to help at the café, which had ended with more broken cups and plates than actual cleaning. He let himself fall onto the sofa, pulling a simple blanket over his body. His thoughts drifted as he reflected on the past three years in this world and how unfamiliar everything had once felt, and how easily he had grown used to it. Still, a faint sense of unease lingered, refusing to fade. 'Welp… tomorrow’s supply day. I’ll cheer up once I’m in the city' losing his eyes, he slowly drifted to the land of dreams, unable to shake the feeling that the night was colder than usual. As the chill crept deeper into the room, the blanket slipped from his shoulders and pooled at the floor. Fenric stirred faintly but did not wake. From the corner of the room, the shadows stretched. They gathered slowly, flowing across the wooden floor like spilled ink, shaping themselves into gentle hands. Carefully they lifted the fallen blanket and draped it back over his body, tucking it snugly around him as if afraid to disturb his rest. One shadow lingered longer than the others, its fingers tracing the side of his face with an almost reverent touch. Fenric shifted slightly, his expression softening as the unease in his chest finally loosening. A soft whisper brushed the air as the shadows withdrew, melting back as if they had never moved, leaving only the steady rhythm of his breathing behind. As the sun rose into the sky, dawn cast a gentle light across his face. 'Is it already morning?' He woke slowly, stretching his limbs as a loud yawn escaped his lips. 'Last night’s sleep was the best he slept so peacefully that he alm