Esme was lying in her bed. Her tiny body felt heavy. It felt so hot, so humid. As if her blood was boiling in hot water internally. Yet it felt so cold, as if her bare flesh were being repeatedly rubbed down with ice. She curled herself into a ball and somehow fell into an uneasy half sleep. In the distance she could hear her father calling her.
Clementine was already fully dressed twenty minutes later, and very much wide awake. She had spent the next fifteen minutes rousing the servants from their sleep. But as usual, Mr. Eugene was always the first to be awaken at this hour.
Clementine found him in the private parlour, already straightening furniture, and arranging flowers.
"Good morning, madam." Eugene greeted, bowing his head lightly. "Mistress Esme's breakfast is still being prepared by the cook. It should be ready momentarily."
"No, Eugene. That's not of great importance at the moment, I'm afraid to tell you that we have a grave situation upon our hands." Said Clementine, unconsciously pacing back and forth across the room. Her heels clattering away like her state of mind. "I've already awoken the others," She said stopping her pacing to face him, her pale gown trailing behind her. "I need you to find me a Physician. As quick as you can my good man."
"Certainly. Who for madam?"
"Esme, Eugene. I'm afraid she has the scarlet fever." Clementine's brows tightened with tension.
"Lord have mercy. How can you be certain madam?" Said Eugene, setting down the feather duster.
"I'm not. That's why we need a Physician."
"But madam, if I may, It is Sunday today. There will be no clinic for the day, lest alone should there be a Physician open on this day, or this hour."
Clementine gave him a look, a look of hers that was so piercing, so characteristically acidic, it almost reminded him of venom.
She pressed her hands firmly together, and inhaled quietly. "I could care less if they were having tea with the Queen herself! I especially don't care if they are still asleep! Awaken them then, rouse those tired dogs from their slumbers. Or so help me God I will remove their heads, and turn this street into the new Tower of London, should they be stubborn with me. But bring them here, now! I will not forsake the life of my grandchild!" Her voice was beginning to rise with each word she had spoken.
She watched Eugene flee the room with her orders. Another female servant came up to her, carrying a basin of water. "Where would you like this, madam?"
"To Esme's bedroom."
"Very good, ma'am."
"And the sponge?"
"Its here too, madam"
"Very well. We should begin, follow me."
They exited the private parlour, and proceeded past the foyer, then climbed up the steps. They turned a corner, then to her room. Clementine opened Esme's bedroom door, and entered together with the servant.
She sat by her Grandchild's bedside; the servant had set down the basin of water next to her nightstand.
Esme was perspiring greatly.
"Esme? Esme, love. We've got to clean you up a bit alright darling?" Clementine said gently.
She propped up the lethargic little girl, and lifted her nightgear. Her body was still so reddish, so raw.
Clementine took the sodden sponge from the basin, and softly started to dab it on Esme's skin.
"No, daddy. Its cold..." Esme murmured, unconsciously.
"My Dear Lord...She's delirious..." Clementine said under her breath.
She continued the sponge bath, then dried her up and changed her with fresh clothing.
She turned to the female servant next to her.
"See if the cook has finished preparing Esme's breakfast. I want some food in her stomach." Said Clementine, covering Esme with a blanket.
"Yes, Madam."
The female servant returned far more earlier than she expected.
"What is it Judith?" She asked, "Did I not send you back to the kitchen?"
"You did ma'am. But I'm afraid Mr. O' Hara has returned ma'am. He said all clinics are closed-"
"Where is he?"
"In the foyer Madam."
She dismissed the servant with a vague flutter of her hand.
She made sure Esme was well covered with the large blanket, and left the child's side.
She quietly closed the door, and stormed through the hallway, and back down the stairs.
Eugene was at the foot of the stairs when he saw her come down. He held his breath.
"Mr. O' Hara, I sent you on an emergency errand. Not on a leisurely walk!"
"Madam-"
"Are you positive that there are no clinics open today? Or at least a Physician within a hundred kilometer radius here? What can I possibly do to receive medical help for my grandchild. Does this mere pathogen need to metamorphosis into the black bloody plague before they get here?!"
"Madam I assure you, I've looked everywhere. They're either out of town, or closed. I've tried my b-"
"You're best is not enough! You might as well go up the stairs, and smother my granddaughter in her sleep. You're killing her Eugene." Clementine exasperated. She was reaching a boiling point.
"Madam?" A small voice squeaked.
"What!"
Judith shook as she held the silver tray filled with food, and a large bowl of soup.
"If I may madam, why don't you try Dr. Cullen next door?"
"Who is Dr. Cullen?" Clementine asks, a single aristocratic eyebrow raised.
"The one who purchased Mr. Burckleworth's house last week, madam."
"You mean the one next door?"
The maid nodded.
"I didn't even know anyone was living there now. He is a Doctor you say?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Very well. Take that food upstairs to Esme, Judith."
The maid excused herself, and climbed the stairs.
Clementine turned back to face Eugene O' Hara.
She studied him for a moment. Her fierce expression suddenly softened, considerably.
"I've always trusted you, haven't I Eugene?"
"Yes, madam."
"Good. Now, redeem yourself. Bring Dr. Cullen here, now."
Without any further delay, Eugene bowed lightly and exited.
Back inside her room, Esme was hearing her father's voice. Her name was being called repeatedly. He would not stop calling for her; his repetitive chant digging deeper, and further into her mind. His haunting wails, driving her hysterical, and anxiety ridden.
"Daddy? Daddy!? Take me with you! Please, don't leave me!"
In the darkness, she reached out her hands in the empty air. Grasping for a ghost that death has long collected.
Judith, who entered the room a few minutes ago with her breakfast, was desperately trying to calm her down.
"What in the name of all that is holy?" Uttered Clementine, as she entered the room.
"Madam, I-"
Downstairs the doorbell chimes could be heard.
"Answer the door, Judith. I'll take care of her."
"Yes, Madam."
Clementine sat by the child's bedside. She look petrified. Her cheeks were all ruddy despite her transparent skin. She looked mottled by her rashes.
"Esme, shhh. It's alright dearest. You'll be fine,"
The child would not be comforted, her sobs came in heavy gasps.
Her grandmother gently touched Esme's cheek, but much to the debacle efforts of soothing the primal babe, Esme had forcefully pushed her hand away.
"Daddy, they won't let me go. They won't let me go!" She cajoled, writhing angrily underneath the sheets.
Clementine was at a loss of what to do.
"Please darling, you've got to calm down," Said her grandmother, desperately trying to keep her vexed grandchild still.
Judith was already at the foyer, ready to answer the front door. Yet Esme's cries could still be heard echoing throughout the house.
The maid squeezed the silver handle, and pulled the door open. She could see the silhouette of a man through the mosaic glass window.
"Dr. Cullen?" Said Judith, not even daring to blink.
A man stood at the doorstep. His eyes deep and brooding. His icy features were enigmatic as they are impassive.
Dr. William Carlisle Cullen was impeccably dressed. He wore a spotless black suit with a very understated manner. He was like a giant. There was a cold wind that followed him as he stepped past the threshold, with Eugene not far behind. His unruly straight blonde hair was slicked back; a careless strand dangling on his forehead. There was an air of ominous arrogance about him. Some strange savagery behind his stance. His eyes were the color of the sun at dawn. Yet there was something almost menacing about him.
Judith closed the door and noticed he had an infinitesimal vein in the corner of his temple. She need not know the temperament of this man. And so she kept her burning questions to herself.
"Where is the child?" His words were slow, precise. His voice was deep, gravelly. It had the consistency of sandpaper, yet his words flowed eloquently like silk.
"Follow me," Said Eugene.
He entered the child's bedroom several minutes later.
"Dr. Cullen?" Greeted Clementine as she approached him. From behind her he could see Esme being placated by another female servant.
"Who does this child belong to?" He said lowly. His pale face completely blank of expression.
"She's my granddaughter, Doctor. She's terribly ill, she has these rashes," Clementine gestured him to follow her.
"Esme," She said, but Esme was not listening. She was kicking and screaming. The other female servant was holding down her legs, as Clementine held down her hands. A feeble attempt of calming her down.
"Let me alone!" She screamed. Trying to twist her hands free from her grandmother's grasp.
Dr. Cullen watched quietly from behind. He was clutching a black leather bag.
He set it down to a table nearby, and opened it. He took out a rather grim looking syringe, and filled it with a clear liquid from a vial.
Before Clementine could protest, he lifted Esme's sleeve and administered the drug.
He easily found the vein and pushed the needle down.
The child screamed in pain as the sharp object tore into her skin.
"What in heaven's name are you doing!" Exclaimed Clementine. "What did you do to her?"
"I believe it is what you call a sedative, madam. You're efforts are...Somewhat lacking." He said dryly.
"What!" She replied heatedly.
Clementine turned to look at her grandchild, and noticed Esme become soporific. Her body relaxing, her screams receding.
"That was not superfluous, Doctor." Said Clementine sternly.
"Madam, you had your servant call upon me. I cannot conduct a complete medical analysis if my patient is belligerent. And I am here, now. If my services displease you-"
"Pardon me..." Clementine suddenly said, clearing her throat. "I just can't bear to see her like this. Please, help her. Help my Esme, Doctor."
He stared at her for a long while. His penetrating eyes regarding her for a moment. His response was barely a noticeable nod.
He stood at Esme's bedside and looked upon the child. A hapless waif, perspiring severely.
Without even touching her, he spoke, "When did the fever start?"
"I'm not quite sure, Doctor. But the effects it had on her was what I noticed early this morning. She was warm, feverish, and her body is covered with these rashes. I only fear it might be the scarlet fever."
"May I?" He gestured quietly towards a sleeping Esme.
"You may."
Clementine stood aside as she watched the strange Physician perform several examinations.
He listened to her breathing. Which was raspy and moist. He took her pulse, even at the height of the sedative, Esme reacted to the touch of his skin.
When he finally completed his task, he turned to her grandmother.
"It is scarlet fever." Said the Doctor.
"Dear Lord..." Clementine said, a wave of helplessness flooding her.
"But it is far more complicated than that, I'm afraid." His tone was dark.
"How do you mean?"
"She has concocted pneumonia. She will have to be on strong antibiotics." He replied, walking back to the nightstand; removing several vials from his leather bag. He placed four of them in a pristine line accordingly. He took a pen and a crisp white paper, he deftly wrote several instructions in under a few minutes.
Before Clementine could speak, he walked back to where she stood, then placed the piece of paper in her hands.
"Pardon me Doctor, but exactly what are antibiotics?"
He ignored her question with unwavering eyes as he said, "Read it. Everything must be followed by the letter. I will return tomorrow morning."
He then walked back to the table and closed his leather bag with a sound of finality.
"But Doctor," Clementine insisted, "I refuse to give her this...this..whatever you called it, until I know the contents of the medecine itself. You can't come barging in her and giving me orders to give my grandchil-"
"Antibiotics, Madam. Antibiotics or antibacterials are a type of antimicrobial used in the treatment and prevention of infection; commonly classified based on their mechanism of action, chemical structure, or spectrum of activity. And-"
"I still don't understand...How come I've never heard of this drug before?"
Carlisle's patience was beginning to wear thin, "Because It has not yet been released to the public and very few learned Doctors know of its existence. And what I have given you is a concoction of my own creation, it is highly unorthodox, and I rarely use it on new patients but since you have asked for my help, you have it."
Clementine felt terribly anxious, "You've rarely try it on new patients? Why is that so?"
"Because a few suffered unpleasant allergic reactions to it, that is why I seldom recommend it to my newer patients."
"But how are you so sure this is what she needs? What if she will get worse?"
"I've already assessed her if her system will be compatible with the medecine. You can trust that there shall be no difficulties in her recovery process. And I also trust in your discretion Madam, in this little secret of ours. Since this kind of drug still remains in the shadows, and in this case my name is tied to it, I would deeply appreciate your efforts in helping keeping it in the shadows for now, and I will do all in my power to save your granddaughter. Agreed?"
"Yes, Doctor Cullen." Conceded Clementine.
"Very good, Madam." Said Carlisle as he made a move to leave, "I shall visit very soon to check on her progress."
"Dr Cullen, there's also one other thing. She has not been eating properly. She's been losing weight, she won't eat. Is there something you can give her?" Clementine asked, still clutching the paper he had given her.
"One must know hunger in order to seek food." He replied simply before exiting.
A/N: Hey Guys! I am so sorry for the delayed Chapter. This summer has been insane, can you forgive me my loves? xD Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed this one. And as I've said, this is a little OOC, so I hope you guys don't mind. You know what to do. ;) Love you my darlings!
God Bless!
