The town doctor

I was in the room all day. I did not understand anything. I remember that I got shot in the left leg and it left the scar. There were so many questions arising in my mind. After my earlier episode, no one came to my room except Jace. He was also quiet. He used to leave the food tray on the nightstand and walk away.

He does not talk to me and does not even look at me. I know they are furious at my behavior. I freaked out as I heard that I had gotten shot in the left leg. I was perplexed about the whole situation.

There was silence in the house. Neither was the sound of children playing. I did not even know whether it was night or not. There was a window, and that too had been closed. I could not even go anywhere. I could not move my right leg because of the accident. But now I cannot put any burden on the left leg either.

Meanwhile, the door of my room opens, and the old man walks in. He is the town doctor. His name is Layton Mareno. I was sitting on the bed, leaning against the back of the bed. He dragged the chair and put it next to my bed. He sat on it. I was gazing at him. One time I gave him a grumpy stare.

Hmm, you do not know me. Before he says something, I rudely cut him off. I know who you are." I spoke while looking away. He then stood up and started pacing in the room. I thought he was leaving, but I was wrong. I was not paying attention to him, but he remained in the room.

A few minutes later, he sat back on the chair. Tell me who I am." He asked. Umm... I looked at him. He raises his eyebrows. You said you know me, so tell me what my name is." I started staring at the ground, then I looked up into his eyes.

Your name is Layton Moreno. You are the only doctor they have," I said, lost in my thoughts. Well, do you remember me? Layton asked. Hmmm... what did you say?" I asked while looking at him. Layton forwards his hand and grabs my right hand with the wrist. I asked, do you remember me?"

I narrow my eyes. Why are you asking that?" I asked.

Hmmm... can you move your hand?" Layton asked. I nodded my head. You do not think it is a stupid question," I said. Layton burst into laughter. You got angry. I was asking you only because maybe there is some improvement in your condition, and I can change your medicine.

I turned my face to him. Do I look okay? On the bed, I am lying down. My left leg was wounded, so initially I could not use my right hand or right leg, and now neither of those limbs can bemused. I am keeping quiet. Although my leg was healthy when I last remembered it, my parents are trying to convince me that my wound did not heal. I yelled while throwing the glass to the floor.

As soon as the glass falls. Robert and Alberta enter the room. Alberta asks quickly. Everything is fine here."

I started looking away. I said nothing. Yes, everything is fine here," Layton tells them. We hear the sound of something falling here. Layton looked at Alberta and Robert with a smile.

Oh, the glass of water fell from my hand. He spoke. Alberta and Robert were gazing at me. Afterwards, Layton takes them outside the room. It is better that I talk to Danny alone. I am all right. There is no need to be afraid of Danny.

A few minutes later, Layton enters the room alone. He closed the door behind him. He then sat back on the chair. So, where were we?" Layton asked. He leaned forward and picked everything up on the nightstand.

What are you doing?" I asked with a surprised face. Now I do not want you to pick up something from here, hit me, and then I get injured. And later, who will come to treat me because I am the only doctor here?" Layton said it with a smile on his face.

I was just staring at him. Oh, difficult audience," Layton was mumbling in his mouth. Layton shook his head. So, I was asking, do you remember me?"

I pressed my lips. Why should I remember you? Emma told me she saw you at the beach lying on the sand. Actually, she told me about everyone who was present on the night of the bone fire. I explained. Layton looked at the ground, then touched my left leg.

He pressed on the wound, and I started screaming. Ahhh, what are you doing? Layton then leaned back against the chair. My leg. My leg. You hurt my leg. I was screaming hysterically.

I was just checking," Layton said. He takes my right leg's trousers and pulls them up. There was no scar on my right leg. It was clean, not even a scratch.

Do you see?" Layton asked. I was groaning with pain. I said nothing. Do you see any scars here?" Layton asked again. I did not answer him. I was just staring at him. He then leaned forward and grabbed my left hand. Layton grabbed my left hand firmly by the wrist. He started pressing my wrist. I started feeling pain in my wrist.

I was just staring at him. I was scared of him. "I asked you something," He again asked while looking into my eyes. I swallowed and spoke. “Hmmm…” Layton is getting aggressive. I was looking at him in astonishment. I take a deep breath. No, I did not see any scars," I said with a breaking voice.

Layton then let my hand go. Layton rubbed his chin with his right hand. As I was sitting silently, the door opened, and Robert entered the room. I was sweating profusely. Robert looked at me. Whose scream, was it? Robert asked. Nothing. I was applying medicine to Danny's wound.

I abruptly spoke. "No, he intentionally presses the wound." Layton nodded his head. He was just exaggerating things!" I screamed. No, he is lying. He intentionally hurt my leg. I am telling you the truth." Layton looked at Robert. Hmm... I was trying to take him back to reality. He just kept telling me that his wound was healed.

Layton put his right hand on Robert’s shoulder. He is fine. He just needs a reminder that this is reality. I have to do that." Robert looked back at me. I am getting scared after seeing his behavior. He is not looking like a stable man to me.

Layton shakes Robert’s hand and asks him to wait outside, saying he will be out in a minute. Robert walked out of the room. He closed the door behind him. He walked up to the bed. Layton started applying pressure to my wound. I was simply gazing at him. He had a strange grin on his face.

That frightened me. He glanced at me while I was still gazing at him. So, I took my eyes off him. A few minutes later, Layton leaned forward and whispered in my ear. It is your choice whether you want to live in the present or the past.

"And it depends on you whether your place is here or somewhere else," Layton said while leaving the room.