Themes or mentions of physical violence, gore, or abuse can be found in this story.
TW: Contains descriptions of violence and blood Philip smiled as I shuffled toward his counter. Dear Frank, how may I assist you?’
Good. This would be much simpler if Philip were cheerful. I reciprocated with a smile. Please, just one course of antibiotics.
He looked at me suspiciously. Are you sick?’
I replied, “No.” She is. She has yellow fever.’
Philip’s eyes grew wider. I’ll get you your medication right away.’ The harsh white light of the pharmacy glowed on his bald head as he put on his glasses and turned to look at the bottles and packets on the shelves behind him. He then produced a small bottle containing red pills after some time. That will be two point units. Do you want to pay with a blood bag or directly from the vein?’
“Please, the vein. I stated, “My last blood bag was used up a few weeks ago.”
He gave me a frowning up-and-down look. Even though these were not the best times, I am now a small man at my best. With my pale skin and deep bags under my eyes, I probably looked like a walking corpse because I had been pushing myself a little too hard.
Frank, how many units do you still have? He grumbled.
I responded, perhaps a little too quickly, “Nine.”
For a while, Philip looked at me with a lip purse.
He said with a reluctant nod, “Alright.” A payment syringe was pulled out from under the desk by him. Please, show me your arm.’
I immediately swore at myself as I rolled up my right arm’s sleeve. I should have taken the left route. However, it was late. Philip froze when he noticed the distinctive pinpricks on my arms. No way. When your arm looks like this, I can’t take it from you. Not without a level examination.’
One of the Overlord’s greatest creations was a level test. Their tool to prevent their prized livestock from accidentally dying of thirst. It was my worst nightmare at that very moment. My own private lie detector.
Philip stared straight into my eyes as I grabbed his arm. If you won’t let me take a level test, Frank, I won’t be able to serve you. I require information regarding the remaining units.’
After checking to see if anyone else could hear, I leaned in close to whisper into his ear. Let me take the bottle then. I have been informed by you that stock is frequently misplaced.’
He stumbled. things like beef jerky and candy, not medicine! I’ll be fired! No, why not try a different pharmacy? Perhaps they won’t request a test.’
He was aware that it was a weak argument. I gave a head shake. I’ve tried everything else already. I regret putting you in this predicament, but I am forced to do so. Kindly, you are my only hope. You are Katy’s only chance. Do this for me and her!’
He shook his head and didn’t even look at me. Frank, I’m sorry. I simply cannot do it. I’m a dead man walking if I take you below the red line and anyone finds out. You understand the law.’
The limit. Eight pieces. The minimum amount of blood we need to keep in reserve. the strict regulation that the Overlords enacted to safeguard their blood supply. Their supply of food.
In the end, all they care about is that. Only because of it can any of us continue to breathe. That may sound harsh, but the world hasn’t really changed much from before. These days, the Overlords don’t just randomly open people’s veins. They quickly realized that it was much more effective to maintain normal society. How then do they acquire their blood? the same way that the powerful always obtain money. They swiftly and publicly executed anyone who attempted to purchase even a loaf of bread with anything else, making blood the only acceptable form of payment. It worked flawlessly. The Overlords soon had more blood than they could drink in a thousand years, as money always gathers at the top.
But right now, none of that mattered to me.
I didn’t care if anyone heard me raise my voice. Is it true that you won’t? I invited you to my wedding, Jesus Philip. You attended the christening of Katy. Why would you do this for her? My fist slammed into the counter. Dammit, look at me!
He continued to ignore my gaze. He whispered, “I’m sorry, Frank, I can’t.”
“Fine,” I replied. I’m sorry.’
Philip called out to me as I whirled toward the exit. Wait.’
I turned around and saw him with a small bottle of whiskey he had hidden under the counter. I received it from him.
Drink at least once. It would certainly be useful to you.
Philip is typical. He wouldn’t break the rules to save the life of a child, but drinking while working? That worked well. Nonetheless, I snatched the bottle from his hand and dashed out the door into the smog-saturated street. I took a sip after removing the cap, stomped a few steps down the road, screamed, and then threw the bottle into the ground. It shattered, scattering glass and whiskey everywhere.
However, not all of the glass broke down into dust. A particularly unpleasant shard was about the length of my finger, and I found it. I turned it over in my hand after picking it up. It was extremely sharp and had a pleasant weight to it. sharper than a knife. It seemed like a gift from the universe at that moment. A sign.
While holding the shard in my hand, I looked at the pharmacy. Now I could accept whatever I wanted. I needed it. Philip had no courage. I wouldn’t be stopped by him. I could hide, even though the police would be after me. They would eventually catch up to us, but not before the medicine had a chance to work.
I moved in the direction of the door. Even without me, Katy will be fine. She will be taken care of. A further step The Overlords don’t harm people. For that, our blood is too valuable. A further step Despite this, I paused. I had heard about some of those homes for children without parents. False stories Stories of suffering and abuse. I backed off a bit. Next, another. And yet another
I fell to the ground as the first tear started to run down my face.
I have no idea how long I sat there for. It might have been a matter of seconds, minutes, or even hours. The only thing I do know is that, for however long it lasted, I lived in my own personal hell.
I stood up when I realized what had happened. I had one last choice. I had been told about a man he knew who owned a warehouse at the edge of town by another cashier. a man who was less concerned about adhering to the rules set by the Overlord. It posed a risk. The punishments for black market traders reflected the fact that the unregistered economy posed a threat to the Overlords’ entire system. Not only the perpetrator but also their immediate family perished as a result. Katy might die if I went to this warehouse. She would undoubtedly die, however, if I did not. I had no other option.
The warehouse was hidden from view in a rat race of alleyways, which is where I found it. It seemed like a haven for small-time criminals, with shelter and numerous escape routes.
I yelled as I approached an open garage door. Hello. Is anyone present?’
From behind a crates tower, a man’s ruddy face with a smile emerged.
“May I assist you?” He pressed.
I sincerely hope so. Benny mailed me. He suggested that you sell me some things.’
I was led inside by the man, whose wide grin extended to show a row of flawless teeth. Therefore, enter, enter. Benny’s friends are also my friends.’
He opened the door wide and looked at me in anticipation. I entered after taking a deep breath. The man led me through a maze-like passage made of boxes and crates until we reached two plush floral armchairs and a small wooden coffee table.
He sank into one chair and made a gesture for the other. Don’t be timid. Seat yourself!’
I took the opportunity to observe my host from the edge of the chair with a sly smile. His smile had remained constant throughout. He was also quite svelte, which is not a common trait these days. His business was clearly doing well.
He stated, “My name is Charles, but everyone calls me Charlie.” Who are you by name?’
I replied, “Frank.”
Who is Frank?
“Frank Wilson”
He got closer to me. Frank Wilson, then. Describe yourself to me. What sort of occupation do you have?
“I work in a warehouse for Nilecorp.”
He grinned at me. Oh, that’s a hard job. I hear that those guys won’t even let you go to the bathroom.
They “do not.”
“I’m sure you’ll need a strong support system to deal with that.” Have you got a family?’
I made a nod. a sister. Katy.’
He instantly became more cheerful. A daughter, huh? What a delight. What is her age?’
‘Six.’
“What about her mom?”
My jaw clenched. I’d always assumed that criminals valued privacy and secrecy. I wasn’t expecting an interview. Why so many inquiries? I exploded.
To give in, he extended his hands. Woah. Tiger, easy. That’s all I care about: getting to know my potential clients. People who knock on my door are desperate. I just want to figure out how desperate you are.’
I exhaled. Fine. She lost her mom. Happy now?
Charlie groaned. I apologize for that. Truly. It is a horrible thing to lose a loved one. Since then, no one else has existed?
I gave a head shake. No. Only us are there.
“Alright, so.” He gave a nod. I believe I have the concept. What can I do for you now?’
“Some antibiotics are needed for Katy.” She has a fever of red.’
Charlie sucked in his breath. ‘ Nasty. However, why are you here? You could get that elsewhere for a lot less money than I’ll charge you.’
“They wouldn’t sell to me at the pharmacies.”
‘Why?’
Lies were pointless to me. Like everyone else, he would soon learn the truth. I responded, “Because I’m on the redline.”
He sneered. Typical. That won’t be a problem for you here. Four points and they are yours.’
I said immediately, “Deal.”
Charlie smiled and rubbed his hands together. Wonderful. I’ll give you a little bonus because I like you, you know.’
He grabbed a small tin from the nearest crate as he moved over there. He walked up to me, removed the lid, and placed it under my nose. There were a lot of chocolate chip cookies in the tin. “Here,” he declared. Pick up one of these. It will aid.’
I grinned. Help? How?’
He laughed. They are coated with iron powder. It will slightly strengthen your blood. Check to see that it has everything it was designed to have.’
I must admit that it was delicious when I took one.
Right,’ he replied. I’ll go get the medicine and my syringe for payment.’
He hurried off and disappeared once more into his stock’s maze. I took the opportunity to examine the room more closely while I waited. Everything appeared to be sold by Charlie. I saw gun cases, cigarettes in cartons, alcohol in crates, and yes, even medicine bottles.
I didn’t realize it for as long as I would like to admit, but I finally did. Antibiotics of various kinds were contained in the numerous bottles that were kept in this very annex. If that’s the case, why was Charlie taking so long? He couldn’t be looking for his payment syringe any longer, could he? I tried to get up with the intention of looking for him, but my legs wouldn’t move. I tried once more. Nothing. I tried to get up by pressing down on the chair’s arms while frowning. I was successful, but my legs gave way underneath me and I fell.
As Charlie emerged from behind one of the crates, I heard a chuckle while lying on my back flat on my face. His face was still parted by a large smile, but now it was more leering than anything else.
‘Good. He stated, “I was beginning to believe you would never even attempt to get up.”
I glared at him with fury in my eyes. Is that what you’ve done to me? I insisted.
He chuckled once more. paralysis of the lower body enables you to be a little more adaptable. However, to be honest, it may not have been required. Still, you look half-dead.’
“The biscuit.”
He gave a nod. Boy is clever. Yes. The biscuit.’
“What’s the point of this?”
Charlie coughed. Why? You really think I make a living selling to people like you who are miserable?
He cracked a joke as he observed my blank expression. Dummy, you were never my client. You have always been the item. My actual customers belong to a different class. powerful men who have their own tastes.
“What in the world are you implying?”
“I’m implying that you will soon be lunch,”
My expression didn’t change. He explained with a theatrical sigh, but I still didn’t understand. All of the Overlords are not in agreement with this respecting mortal life arrangement. Some of them would rather eat something… organic. His smile somehow grew wider. I’m about to get a lot of money from you.’
I said, “You won’t get away with this,” even though I knew deep down that was not true.
He chuckled. Naturally, I will. Little Katy, who is going to come and save you? I don’t believe so. Your body will be dumped in a miserable slum, Mr. Henry will drink you dry, and the authorities will attribute your death to a ferocious rebel. They’ll call it a tragedy and say nice things about you, and then nobody will remember you ever existed.’
I turned my head to face Charlie as he re-seated me in the armchair, my eyes wide. Please refrain from this. I need Katy. All she has is me.’
He gave me a straight face and smiled. Don’t stress. I’m confident that you’ll be reunited soon enough without those antibiotics.’
I tried to punch him while roaring, but he quickly batted my arm away. My hand brushed against my leg’s side. In my pocket, I felt something hard and sharp. The shard of glass. My universe’s present.
I wrapped my hand around the icy glass by slipping it into my pocket. All I wanted was for him to get closer.
I said, staring into his eyes. He concurred, “You certainly did.” “I misjudged you.”
“I thought you were a global man. a man who runs his own business. You turned out to be nothing more than a glorified burger flipper.
His red face got even redder as his grin turned into a snarl. You rude little scum.’
I saw his opening and took it as he leaned in to smack me across the face. I slammed the glass fragment into his throat as I lashed out. It left behind a thin red line. The only thing that came out of Charlie’s mouth when he opened it was a strange, gurgling sound, probably in an attempt to slam me or express his outrage. That and a blood stream that was growing.
He fell to the ground and died at my feet a few seconds later. While I was relieved, I wasn’t done yet. I still had to get away, which was difficult without legs. I tried to devise a strategy, but all I could come up with was to drag myself out on my own.
As it turned out, I never had time to even try that.
Oh my, my. What are we looking at?’ spoke in a dignified voice.
A tall, lean man in a neatly tailored suit stood in front of me. He exuded a Regency gentlemanly manner and appearance. He probably once belonged to a gentleman of the Regency era. His pale, paper-like skin and the crimson pinpricks in his eyes indicated that he was not a human being. An Overlord was this. Mr. Henry was on his way.
My veins froze with what little blood I had left.
Mr. Henry cocked his head and looked around. I see that Charles has been killed by you.’
I replied, “He didn’t give me much choice.”
He had a chuckle. He didn’t, I’m pretty sure of that. He was always a devoted hound. Still, it appears that I owe you gratitude.’
I grinned. Your gratitude?
‘Indeed. For my liking, Charles was becoming a little too sure of himself. I would probably have been required to fire him immediately. However, I still have a problem to solve given this circumstance. I don’t know what to do with you. He gave his chin a thoughtful rub. Please inform me of your name.
I told the truth because I was too terrified to even think about lying. Frank. ‘Frank Wilson’
He grinned. I think I’ve made up my mind, Mr. Wilson. Since you were the one who took away my last servant, don’t you think it’s only right that you help me take over? Would you like a job, please?
Frank Wilson returned to the pharmacy two weeks later and walked straight up to the counter. A brown paper bag was in his arms. Philip smiled tentatively when he saw his friend approaching.
He said, “It’s good to see you, Frank.” You appear better. How is Katy?
Frank reciprocated with a grin. She is well. I was helped by a friend.’
Philip gave a low whistle and raised his eyebrows. He must be a friend who is kind.’
“Believe me. “He can afford it,” Frank jokingly stated. Listen. About earlier. You’re put in a difficult situation by me. I apologize.
Philip gave a head shake. It won’t affect you. I understand that you were protecting your daughter.’
I brought you a gift because I do worry about it. Frank deconstructed the bag. Do you want a cookie?
