《Rheostat》7.Mushroom Stew
Advertisement
After Stephen excused me, Ezra stopped me on the way to my room.
"Get ready. I'm taking you out." He informed.
"Where?" I inquired.
"I'm taking you to the hospital for a check-up."
"Oh."
Complying with his wish, I quickly got ready and went downstairs to find him in the living room.
He was playing a video game with Noah and Eveline. "You cheated, brat!"
Eveline came to Noah's rescue, "You just suck at it, Ezra."
"Whose side are you on?" Ezra asked, betrayed.
Eveline smirked raising her hand as if to take a pledge, "I'm on the side of truth."
I couldn't help but snicker hearing that, "That's rich coming from you."
The three of them turned their attention to me, seemingly shocked at my comment.
"What do you mean by that?" Eveline asked, angry I would accuse her of lying.
"Why are you getting so riled up? Could it be you have a guilty conscience?" I shot back spitefully.
"I don't know what you are talking about." The tears in her eyes said otherwise.
I felt almost guilty for making her cry in the first conversation we had in nine years.
Thankfully, Ezra decided to intervene, "Let's go, we are getting late."
I nodded and followed him outside. "Are you angry at me? For arguing with her."
Ezra looked at me for a moment, lost in thought, "No, I actually was glad."
I looked at him, confused. Its not my first fight with Eveline and in the past it would always make them angry. It was one of the reasons I was sent away.
"I saw a glimpse of my sister, who I believed I had already lost." He explained.
What did he mean by that? Does he want to say I was being fake now?
Whatever, I no longer cared about their opinion of me. All I wanted was to survive living here till I become an adult.
Ezra soon parked the car in front of a hospital. "Is it owned by Stephen?"
"Yes. How did you know?"
"I was just guessing." It was a lie. Stephen was quite famous and the Wikipedia had loads of information on him. I didn't want to accept the fact that I had been secretly keeping tabs on him. Though I would hardly call some google acquired information as keeping up with his life.
Before I could get out of the car, I saw Ezra already get down and rush to my side to open the door for me. Even though it was a small thing, I found the gesture extremely sweet.
Advertisement
"Do you work here?" I asked once I saw him take out an ID from his pocket and hang it around his neck.
"Yes. I'm a heart surgeon." He smiled at my curiosity about his professional life.
"Cool. I always wanted to be a doctor,too." I reminisced.
Using his staff ID, he took the private elevator. "You don't want to be anymore?"
I shrugged in response. I wasn't sure what I wanted to be anymore.
Ezra seemed sad at my response. "You used to follow me around everytime I brought my biology projects home."
"They were fun," I used to admire Ezra a lot. Even more than Stephen.
One time we went to the park together. Only the kids were playing in that area. A boy, a little older than me at that time, fell into the lake.
He didn't know how to swim. Ezra had dived in and brought him ashore. After that he performed CPR and saved his life. I saw the gratitude in the little boy's eyes. It was enticing. I wanted someone to look at me like that.
"How did you save him?" I had asked.
Ezra crouched down to my level. "I'll tell you a secret but you can't tell it to anyone."
I vigorously nodded and forwarded my hand. "I won't tell anyone. Pinky promise."
Joining his finger with me his voice went down by octaves as he whispered, "I'm a superhero."
I had believed him to be a superhero until that day.
"Do you remember that day when you saved a boy from drowning?" I couldn't help but ask.
He thought for a while and then smiled at me, "Mhm, I remember."
"You told me you were a superhero," I reminded him. "Then why didn't you come to save me?"
Ezra stayed quiet the whole elevator ride.
... ... ...
The elevator stopped in the thirteenth floor. I could see he was still thinking back to our elevator conversation. I didn't intend to make him feel bad by bringing that up. It was just a question I have been meaning to ask for years. When the situation arised I couldn't stop myself. I would have if I knew he would be this upset.
I genuinely liked Ezra. He has been kind to me ever since I arrived. Even back then, he never treated me bad. Maybe indifferent but he was a good person. It was my own fault to have so many expectations from him. I had no right to blame him for that.
Ezra lead me to an examination room, "I will be here the whole time so don't be afraid."
Advertisement
I followed the nurse to a machine of some sort. They instructed me to lie down on it.I did as they said.
After one hour of doing several X-rays, MRI and what-not, they let me go.
"Drink this," Ezra passed me a bottle of mango juice. He was indeed waiting for me the whole time.
"Let's get some lunch." I looked at my watch to see it was already noon. Time sure passed by.
"Will you mind if someone tags along?" Ezra asked once we got in the elevator again.
"No, I won't mind." At my response, I saw him fishing out his phone and send a text to someone. Maybe to confirm his lunch plans.
"What do you want to eat?" Ezra handed me the menu once we reached the cafeteria.
Going through it, I didn't recognize any of the dishes. "You can order for me."
"Mushroom stew sounds good?" He asked. I nodded and he left to place the order.
Just as he left, a girl came and sat where Ezra was previously sitting.
I looked around. The huge cafeteria was almost empty. Only a few tables were occupied so why was she sitting here.
"It's occupied already." I informed.
"You are Aylin?" The girl asked.
"How do you know my name?" I narrowed my eyes at her.
"Can I call you Lin-lin?"
"No." Why would you call me Lin-lin?That isn't even close to my name.
"Awww, you look so cute when you pout." The girl cooed, placing her cheek on one hand.
Maybe she was a mental patient here? What was taking Ezra so long?
"Excuse me, I don't know you. Can you please sit somewhere else?" I looked around to find Ezra standing before counter, looking at our direction with a smile. What is wrong with him?
"Oh, that's so rude of me!" She slapped her head in realization. Good, now she will leave. But instead she forwarded her hand for a handshake, "I'm Iris Ling."
Ezra joined us, now taking the empty seat beside me. Placing the food trays in the table he introduced, "She's my girlfriend."
I looked at him with wide eyes. I finally looked at the girl. Carefully. She was short. Her long black hair was tied in a tight ponytail. Her eyes were misty and her pink lips looked natural.
She was beautiful.
I could imagine them together, they made a great couple. Minus her overly chirpy personality.
"Really?"
"Yep," She nodded, pushing one of the food trays over. I just noticed Ezra had brought three trays. Was this the person Ezra was talking about?
"Sorry, I didn't recognize you. Ezra didn't tell me he had a girlfriend." I felt bad for asking her to move earlier.
"No one knows. We are keeping it a secret. So don't tell anyone, Kay?" Ezra said carefully cutting the meat and then placing it in my bowl.
"Okay," I agreed.
"Don't just eat meat. You need Vegetables, too." Iris placed a piece of carrot in my bowl.
"She needs protein." Ezra placed another meat in my bowl.
"What are you talking about? She needs vitamins." Iris placed a broccoli.
Were they competing on who could put more food on my bowl?
By the end of lunch, Iris had clearly won.
"Wait here, I'll go pay." Iris got up to pay the bill.
"Aha! Cafeteria food is free for staff." Ezra said brimming of pride.
"She doesn't work here, does she?" Iris retorted.
Out of argument, Iris yet again won another round.
"I'll drop you home," Iris took my hand in hers, dragging me to the exit.
"No, I'll drop her." Ezra protested.
"Aren't you busy with your work? I heard the director is looking for you."
"I'm never busy for my sister," Ezra said, brimming of happiness at finally beating her.
I didn't know Ezra could get so competitive with someone. How were they compatible if they fought all the time.
"I'll see you later, Lin-lin!" Iris waved her hand. I blushed at her nickname and quickly got in the car.
"So," Ezra drawled out, "Do you like her?"
I had come to know a lot about Iris during lunch. She was a doctor too, which I should have noticed by her obvious appearance.
They were dating for six months now. Iris was chirpy and friendly. Just by talking to her, your day would become brighter.
"Yeah, she's very sweet." Ezra let out a sigh of relief at my response. "Why are you keeping it a secret?"
Ezra shrugged, "Just because."
I shut my mouth after that, realizing asking too many questions might annoy him.
Well, they are a cute couple even if they bantered the whole time. "I think you two make a great pair."
"Really? You think so?" He perked up, excited.
"Yeah," I nodded. "Why did you tell me if no one else knows?"
"Because, I trust you. With all my secrets."
(Also I randomly name the chapters.They hold no special meaning.)
Advertisement
- In Serial25 Chapters
Hunting for jade beauties~ A trash novel
Long Dong is a young cultivator whom everyone underestimates! "That boy has no power!" his seniors say. Little do they know that his resolution will not break so easily! "I"ll show you all, and build a harem of jade beauties!" exclaimed the young man, pointing his fist at the moon. "Misha, calm down, do you want to fail another year?" "I don't care, as long as I have this demonic power!" Long Dong whips out a pack of over-the-counter codeine, leaving his friend in shock and awe. And thus a cultivation journey of eastern European delinquent begins! Wrtten for Fast Food Frontpage Competition, this novel is trash and don't take it as anything else.trigger warnings: all
8 187 - In Serial158 Chapters
The Misplaced Dungeon
The gods on four worlds were in trouble, or rather the clique that had taken over those worlds development and refused to listen to the established but less powerful gods already in power were in trouble. Their mismanagement was causing four previously lush and pleasant worlds to become harsh and inhospitable. So taking another leaf out of world building 301 they arbitrarily decided to seed the worlds in question with new dungeons they could control or at least influence. One fine day Azurea, self declared Goddess of dungeons on those four worlds discovered a fascinating world; it was teeming with life, literally overburdened with teeming billions of sophonts. Even better in her view many were atheists and due to the rapidly expanding population many of those were brand new souls. So without further ado she soulnapped one hundred of them for her cliques experiment. This is the story of one of the randomly selected beings, a sixteen year old girl with anger management issues, in fact Mary Silvestre has been diagnosed a borderline psychopath by a lazy school system. NB: This story uses UK English spelling.
8 196 - In Serial10 Chapters
I will not be eaten
Litchi is your ordinary Royal Road addict. She can’t resist the call of a new chapter even when she needs to work. Because of too many new responsibilities she promises one week without reading. Sadly, she cracks in three days, because of an Azarinth Healer notification. Taking out her phone she starts avidly reading. It’s just a small promise, she will try it another time. Nothing should happen. Say that to the goblin that tries to eat your face, Litchi! You should keep your promise! She was used to food jokes on her name but it seems that this time her destiny is to be eaten. ---- Hello future reader! I didn’t find a new good isekai so why not create my own? I am an RR addict and amateur writer (in French) and today I decided to publish a story. You will have my eternal gratitude for any advice or constructive comments on the story! One of my objectives is to have developed characters, duo or trio make a fantastic way to character growth. So, I will try to create a deep relationship between a few of them. The first few chapters have a lot of combat, but other characters will soon arrive. Those first few chapters are made to build tension and create Litchi's first motivations. This story has the plot written to the end and important characters already shaped. This story is short in comparison to the majority of RR fantasy stories. Update every two days until I have no more chapters in my pocket. Average chapter length: 2200 words Warning: The grammar can be bad, IMPORTANT CHARACTERS CAN (Will) DIE, contain philosophical conversation as the characters stumble upon morals dilemmas. I hope I will see you soon in the comments and thank you in advance for reading Litchi’s journey. Have a nice day! :)
8 141 - In Serial67 Chapters
Song of the Unborn
Let me tell you a story A story about a beautiful song And those who sing it Alright, time for the real synopsis: Song of the Unborn takes place in a bleak and dark universe. The world is broken and unbalanced. Dark creatures roam the lands and the order that once existed as a beacon of hope has crumbled. Kalosýni is one of people who live in this cursed world, but thanks to the efforts of his father, he led a sheltered life. However, an unexpected cry on a seemingly normal night leads to a journey that will lead Kalos, his father and a pregnant woman on a journey across the kingdom of Faacri. UPDATE FOR BOOK 2 (Warning!!! Spoilers ahead.) Book 2, or Throne of the Lords kicks off right where we left off. A dark figure is claiming to be the dark lord, one prophesied to be the bringer of the apocalypse has appeared. But is there truth to the prophecy and how will Kalos, Raymond and company react to all this? FINAL UPDATE: The book is over... the part about Kalosýni. I just have a few side chapters to dump on you and boom, done. Hehe, it's been one helluva ride. ANNOUNCEMENT FOR POTENTIAL PATRONS: I think I'm ready to take the next step with this story of mine. Anyone interested in supporting my ambitious endeavours should follow the Patreon link. What will I be doing exactly? I really want Song of the Unborn to exist in as many mediums as possible and so, after publishing the novel on Amazon, I'm planning on creating a graphic novel version and we'll finally be able to see Kalosýni in all his glory. Well, that's my goal anyway.
8 98 - In Serial11 Chapters
ALmond
When Max O'Brien receives an almond with a skull painted on it, he initially plays it off as a prank. But, after his wife leaves town, he begins discovering more of the nuts hidden around the house. More disturbing than that is that some unseen intruder is keeping an accurate running count. The more almonds Max finds, the stranger things get. Mysterious noises. Moving objects. Damaged valuables. It's a haunting that grows in power with each success in the involuntary scavenger hunt. As the almonds pile up so do the threats until Max realizes he may just not survive. ____________________________________________________________________________ Author note - This is a short work originally written for Wattpad's Novella Contest (finished second overall). It's a total of 11 chapters and just about 23k words. I'll post a chapter every 2-3 days so it'll wrap up fairly quickly. Anyone in the mood for a quick goofy/creepy read should give it a try. Thanks.
8 106 - In Serial74 Chapters
I Can Make You Smile (David x Reader)// CAMP CAMP
David approached the new counselor, (Y/N) with a welcoming smile. "Welcome to camp campbell!" He smiled. (Y/N) smiled nervously, giving a small wave to the man. "Yeah, welcome to this shithole." A boy with a blue hoodie mumbled. (Y/N) smirked slightly, "So I guess you'll be a hard one." "Yep, bitch." "Brat."David's smile faltered slightly. "Oh, boy." He chuckled.//Hi, Welcome to my David x reader! You're name is (Y/N) correct? Sorry to inform you, but you're a spy! A spy who lives in a family of spies where everyone expects you to do your job! Especially your father! You're job is to hunt down Cameron Campbell! Working as a camp counselor at a camp in order to get information on this mysterious gambling man, You meet a man named David, one that you fall for and refuse to admit for the reasoning of investigation distractions. So?What will it be? Betray your crush, David by turning in his father figure to the police to gain respect from your father? OrBetray your father and quit your family lined job in order to keep your relationship with who you call your true love?
8 198

