The night wind was gently playing with my hair and the sound of the sea quietly rose and fell with the lapping of the waves.
"Miss Del Rey." Mercurio's voice broke my quiet sensation. I didn't look up. "Hi Mercurio."
I was sitting on the sand, hugging my knees and looking at the waves, out over the calm sea.
"Took me some time to find you. What are you doing out here?"
I ignored the question. "What are the results?"
Mercurio sighed and sat down next to me, producing an envelope. "They're in here. LaCroix told his people to analyze your blood for diseases and compare it to the Bishop's, and to give you the results in a closed envelope."
I kept staring straight ahead. "Open it, please."
"Well, I can't... I'm not supposed to..." he stammered.
"It's alright. Open it."
He doubted for a moment and tore open the envelope.
"Read it to me please."
Are you sure, I mean - "
"Mercurio. Don't worry. It's okay. Read it please." I kept staring at the ocean.
Mercurio cleared his throat uncomfortably and unfolded the paper, scanning its contents. "It's all a bunch of technical mumbo-jumbo," he muttered and then said, "Ah! Here it is." He hesitated, as if afraid to look. "Bishop: positive (unknown disease)." He turned over the page. "Del Rey… negative."
We both breathed a heave simultaneous sigh of relief. No diseases. I had already come to terms with the worst, with being infected and forced to end my own existence, for I refused to be responsible for the spreading of this vile disease.
"Man, what a relief," Mercurio sighed redundantly. I cocked an eyebrow at him.
"What?" he said defensively. "I've come to like you over the weeks."
I grinned, shook my head and got up. "Let's go."
"So, what were you doing out here?" Mercurio asked, getting up as well.
I brushed the sand off the seat of my pants and smiled sadly. "I was waiting for the sunrise."