With the little money he has in his pocket. Isidore called for a taxi to bring them to the White’s Herbal Farm. Since the security knew him, he was able to enter without restrictions.
With haste, he went to the small hut nearby the fence and placed the dying Iris down to the wooden floor.
Panicking and panting, with his shaking hands, Isidore plucked six of eight-leaf herb, two cerulean lily-like flower, and one dried aloe vera.
He washed the herbs and plants he gathered and with his bloodied grip, he squeeze it raw. According to the System in his mind, any flowing water of mother nature will be the last ingredient and the potion will then be effective.
And the only natural water around the area was the Woley, the modified water system that flows from Mt. Wou.
He used a well-cleaned coconut shell as a bowl to mix. And when everything was all set up, he looked at the time with his cold sweat.
5 minutes left...
An invisible bar popped out in a flickering red. Warning Isidore about the running time.
He breathe heavily as he went to his almost breathless sister.
“Iris,” he called as he caressed her cheeks. “Take a sip and you will be fine.”
“B-B-Brother...” She smiled faintly. “S-S-Stop it already. I lost too much b-b-blood. Just f-f-forget about m—” Iris coughed blood as she speak.
Isidore panicked and fear wrapped around him as he witnessed his sister weakened.
“Please? Just t-trust me. There is no wrong in trying right?” Isidore's tear fell. He gave her a faint smile while trying so hard suppressing his emotions.
He surely do not want to be seen weak and fragile in front of his sister. Since they became homeless, as an older brother, he always had promised to himself to protect his sister. He was willing to do everything, willing to sacrifice his own life, willing to fight against the odds just to protect his one and only family.
If Iris would be gone too, Isidore knew it well that he would not have any reason to live at all.
“Iris, I promise. After all of this is over, we will live in a big warm house with a lot of foods on our table,” Isidore whispered as he smiled.
Iris was too weak to answer him. Her eyes were almost giving up and the blood from her mouth were flowing.
The security who was assigned in the area was alerted and panicked upon seeing the dying Iris. He was too stunned from her twisted bones and bloodied body. But the only thing he could do was to watch Isidore who was trying to treat his sister and blabber his useless mouth.
“What are you doing? She's already dying! Are you perhaps trying to poison and kill her yourself?”
Isidore did not answer him and maintained his focus to his sister.
“Hey you! I know you are part of the research team but you are not a Doctor. Don't be too full of yourself!”
[2 minutes left!]
[2 minutes left!]
The metallic voice alerted Isidore that made him panicked more.
“Quick! Take a sip!! There is no time left!” He placed the coconut shell to Iris' lips and made sure she gulped the one sip.
[1 minute!]
[1 minute!]
The warning signs were flickering red. It was a moment of life and death when minute turned to seconds and Iris was still slowly and weakly breathing.
[50 seconds....]
Everything around Isidore seemed to slow and stopped for a moment but the time given by the system still ticks.
[30 seconds....]
Iris weakly gazed her eyes to the security at the back of Isidore, peeking to her. He was saying something but Iris couldn't hear anything anymore.
She shifted her gaze to her loving brother whose eyes were already red from the unstoppable tears. She smiled for the last time before slowly closing her eyes and be taken away by the eternal darkness.
[15 seconds...]
“She's already dead, bro. Let her go. You can't save everyone.” The security taps Isidore's shoulder as he was continuously shaking his head out of disbelief.
“I'll probably expect a family burial tomorrow.” He paused. “My deepest condolence to you.”
[5 seconds...]
The noisy security walks away with disbelief. He must've thought Isidore to be crazy and mentally retarded. He was also having goosebumps upon seeing Isidore's blood mixed to the liquid his sister drank from the coconut shell.
Who is crazy enough would think highly of himself that he could save his sister from dying out from those trashy soiled-plants and family-owned blood?
“Hah! The White's must've gone crazy too to have him as a son-in-law.” The security was washing his hands fearing that Isidore's body particles will stimulate into his system.
“Yeah, the White's are crazy to have him as a son-in-law.”
The security was wiping his hands when he was distracted by a woman's voice.
He laugh as he turned to the voice. “You're right—Ah!” The security shouted and jumped from being frightened when he saw the woman who talked to him.
His eyes agape and mouth wide from what he saw. It's so clear! His eyes couldn't be wrong! The day is not yet done and the sun is still up!
His heart was beating loud and fast out of terror as he stared at the woman.
The woman was no other than the dying Iris earlier!
“Wha-Wha-What are y-y-you doing here?” The security fell to his toes as Iris pulled the towel from his hand.
Iris shrugged and did not answer.
“Iris!”The both of them turned their gaze to the worried Isidore.“ Why were you such in a haste? For pete's sake you just healed!” His eyes were still red but his scoldings did not escape from Iris's ears.
“I'm sorry brother. My throat were calling water,” Iris answered sweetly and hugged her panting brother to calm him. She was so full of energy like her bones did not broke just awhile ago.
“I'm dead.”
Isidore and Iris both turned their gaze to the security sitting on the soiled ground who just peed his pants.
The security laugh while repeteadly tapping his head. “Oh god, I'm crazy. I'm so crazy. I just witnessed resurrection. I'm really crazy. This is so not right. I am so crazy!” He laughed continuously and lost consciousness right after.
Both Isidore and Iris let out a deep sigh before carrying the security back to the hut to give him comfortable lying position.
Just a few seconds ago...“My deepest condolence to you.” Isidore stared at his breathless sister still. The security started to walk away but he stayed and waited for the time to complete. [2 seconds...]2 seconds left and Iris was already closing her eyes leaving her weary breath.“Please work...”Isidore held his sister's hand to give warm to its dropping body temperature. “Please...please,” he beg with too much hope.[1 second]1 second but nothing happened. Isidore did not panic, nor scared. He knew it from the start before accepting the mission that it's either a deal or kill. Deep in his mind and heart he prepared himself for the consequences of trusting the unknown voice in his head. But still...he hoped.“I'm s-sorry,” his voice cracked as he utter these words. “I'm so sorry.” He cried and embraced his dead sister. He knew everything was too risky but still, hoping was the only thing he could do. And those who hope are not hopeless. His sob were low but heavy. His heart
Isidore and Iris roamed around the city to look for an apartment for the time being. Isidore knew he can't swallow the disgusting action of his wife. After she just revealed that she cheated on him with Jameson Roy, he knew he had to take his sister away from those rascals. After all, they were the reason why his sister had suffer great pain although it was only for a short amount of time.“Are you sure you are fully okay now?” Isidore asked again. It was his sixth time of asking about her condition. Because although he has already trusted the system he still can't ignore the fact that Iris were in a lot of pain just awhile ago.“I told you, I'm fine! I'm so much fine than I ever was since my illness progressed,” she said as she formed her small muscles in her thin arm.Isidore sigh. “Okay. Just don't hide your pain from me, okay? I'll be here for you, I'll be here for the both of us.”Iris smiled to his worried brother. She leaned on the seat of the cab. It was already 1 hour sinc
Before the day ends, Isidore went to the Mall to buy food for him and his sister. As usual, with his ragged-looking clothes, everyone were talking about his appearance. The security stopped him when he was about to pass through the entrance. “No beggars allowed.”Isidore showed his ID. “I'm not a beggar. I will just buy food and some clothes.”The security was suspicious to his words but still allowed him to enter the mall. He was used to it though. He was always dressed like this whenever he go out and everytime, everyone will mock and looked down on his appearance. But what could he do? He barely earned 10,000 dollars every month from his in-law's. He is a researcher for herbal medicines.And sometimes, if the team failed to produce another herbal product, only Isidore's salary was deducted while the others have maintained their own. He is a Senior Researcher yet he has the lowest salary among them all. And his juniors has the guts to disrespect and insult him in every situation.
Everyone turned to the man who utter the words. It was no other than Jameson Roy!Mr. Jameson laughed sarcastically. “I mean, who would even dare to check or worst touch your dirty butt? Not even Doctors would try to do so.” Isidore clenched his fist after hearing his hypocritical logic. 'This asshole is here again,' Isidore thought to himself.The lady, named Leya, was suddenly satisfied upon hearing Mr. Jameson's words. She sweetly smiled to Mr. Jameson and asked with her puppy eyes. “Did you know him, sir?”Jameson scoff. “My Hospital shunned him and his sister for trying to scam us. Good for them though, they deserved it. His sister was ill and I suggest to not touch him since I believe their illness runs through their bloodline.”The security suddenly withdrew from touching him and they scurry away for fear. Everyone gasped upon hearing a twisted revelation. Twisted because none of it was true from what really happened. Jameson Roy, a cunning man he is.“I shouldn't be wastin
“Hah! And so what? It still doesn't change the fact that you're stealing!” Leya turned to her manager. “Ma'am, I think we still need to check him to guarantee things. After all, our management does not tolerate stealing, right?”“Yeah right! Check him once more and punish him if needed!”“True! I bet he's not a real researcher! He still stole something!”“Beggars these days are known for their tricks!”The manager was slightly convinced by the peoples temperament. She looked at Isidore and started to talk. “You heard them. If you haven't stolen anything, then justice will be served upon you and the management will be asking for your forgiveness. However the contrary we find, you will pay for the damages and chaos you caused,” the manager said and turned to the security. “Check everything on his body and the CCTV footage,” the manager continued.The security nod and started to check his body without his permission. He was slightly annoyed by their harassment. “Stop! Don't touch me
“Tsk! Obviously you are building your own hall of shame,” the manager sneered. But Isidore wasn't affected at all and instead remained calm. He knew very well that he is not building his hall of shame today. And if there is one, that would be the arrogant manager in front of him.“Why? Are you afraid that I might really be able to pay the said one-hundred thousand dollars and humiliate you?” The manager sour upon hearing Isidore's confidence. “Hah! Don't be too full of yourself!”“Okay. Then why don't you just give me all the chocolates available in this grocery?” Isidore shrugged. The manager glared at Isidore furiously. She was even angry about the fact that Isidore is pushing her to do what he want just to prove herself and to completely humiliate him. Why the hell should she comply in this situation? She just want this deadbeat loser to be humiliated and get out of her sight! Yet this nuts is really pushing her to her limits! The manager looked at the security before saying.
“Ma'am!” Leya approached the manager and supported her to stand up. “Are you alright? You seemed like who just saw a ghost and frightened.”“I-I'm alright, Leya...”She looked at Isidore with her horrified eyes. She couldn't believe the small paper on her hand. Because it is no other than the receipt of one hundred thousand dollars! Suddenly a group of people rushing down towards the cashier with confused and startled face.“Who is it?” the guy in black suit asked. He seems like the boss of them all.The junior manager felt fear upon seeing her boss in the scene.Jameson on Isidore's side chuckled as he said. “You're doom now. That's Deputy General Manager Greg. He will surely fracture your useless bone and drag you out away from this store.” As soon as the Deputy General Manager saw Jameson, he abruptly approached the Doctor and pushed aside Isidore who was standing on his way. “Doctor Jameson! It is an honor to have you here!” The General Manager held Jameson hand and repeatedly
Isidore was so shocked upon receiving the notification of 1 million dollars. He blinked, unable to process the surreal amount of numbers he received.'This mission will make me rich,' he thought to himself.“Uhm, s-sir? Should we proceed to the lounge? Or y-you'll settle your business first with my staff?”Isidore was pulled back to reality when Manager Greg talked. His brows furrowed, and coughed a little to calm himself, and he turned to the junior manager who gambled her job and her boyfriend's bank account.His head held high. Looking down, Isidore's condescending eyes met the arrogant manager who was kneeling in front of him. “So? The bet you risk, where is it now?”The junior manager trembled as she shook her head. Her palms were rubbing against each other as she was about to weep. "Please, please, please? I admit I was wrong. Spare me, please? I need this job. Please, I'm begging you.” She cried in front of everyone after she pleaded.Although she knew Isidore would hardly acc