Trust and temptation

A long, long time ago, when people did not yet rule over the world, solely over themselves, two young boys swore to be brothers before friends. They did not know what this meant, but they traded blood. The cuts were nothing but nail-width scratches for a drop of blood to scurry through, creating an ethereal bond between the two which could only be broken through death. But the boys did not concern themselves with such magical consequences.

One day, one of them felt an unbearable ache in his heart. Later, when walking through town with his blood-brother, the other seemed nervous to tell him something. He stuttered, finally blurting out that he received an admission letter to a position of medical assistant, therefore, he got the chance of a lifetime and he was taking it, moving far, far away. His brother was stunned, utterly speechless, it felt like treachery. They were supposed to attend military training together, live and die beside each other.

When the day of the departure came, the boy did not show up for his brother, he rotted in bed filled with anger and frustration, not letting any tears escape his eyes.

Some years later, the other brother became a practicing doctor, saving lives left and right, building a reputation for himself. People believed he had a secret laboratory filled with lighted candles representing all the people he encountered throughout his years on this earth. They said that he used the wax from other souls to fuel the ones he cured. They said that there was a blood red candle on a pedestal, one with two heads, one shining bright, the other barely alive.

After an especially long surgery, his assistant handed him a letter.

"It is from your dear mother," he said in the sweetest voice one could possibly manifest from oneself.

The doctor took the envelope from the assistant, read it once. His expression remained smooth, calm, as if dealing with just another patient. He looked at the other man, urging him to step outside, however, the other did not understand the meaning of such stern eyes. The doctor sighed, returned to the paper in his hand, read over it again. Then again. Once more, until his silky skin got infected with frustration, anger, last of all, determination.

He received news about his brother, turned to homicide after he caught his wife in bed with his lieutenant. The doctor knew from the start that he would not be any better than a common thief caught red handed, so he linked himself with the murderer in order to rid the world from him when the timing was right.

The doctor took five measured steps, he landed right in front of the two-headed candle. As the doctor blew out one flame, the brother took his final breath.

Fülöp Csenge-Anna XII. H