The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

"You do it your way, Carly. Just give us a heads up the moment you make any progress. We're severely outnumbered, so brute force isn't an option here," Vivienne cautioned, fully aware of Carly's good intentions but also of her vulnerability. If Carly were to slip up even slightly, they'd catch her in no time. These folks weren't exactly known for their mercy or restraint. And if they were to catch wind of their plans, even indirectly through Carly, everything would be jeopardized. With a serious look in her eyes, Vivienne added, "You need to understand how crucial your role is. Be extra careful. We'll check on you every three days under the guise of treating some other illness. That's when you can fill us in on what you've learned." As she finished her instructions, Vivienne mysteriously produced a pill out of thin air.

Without a moment's hesitation, Carly took the pill and swallowed it whole.

Logan couldn't help but admire Carly's resolve.

Watching Vivienne and Logan walk away, Carly felt as though she was forgetting something important, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She stood there, dazed, long after they had left.

Just as Vivienne was about to step out of the yard, she noticed something odd - Carly's yard lacked a vegetable garden, a detail that nagged at her as they left.

Turning back at the gate, Vivienne asked, "Do you know why you're the only one without a garden? I've visited many homes, and yours is the exception."

Suddenly, Carly remembered what she had forgotten. "Those gardens are all planted with hallucinogens, toxic stuff. Mayor Thompson uses them to keep everyone subdued, like zombies, except for a few who are still adjusting."© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

"Even the food here is laced with stuff from Mayor Thompson, turning them into the living dead. You not having a garden doesn't raise suspicions?" Logan inquired, pinpointing a critical concern.

Carly shook her head. "They've never suspected me. I've always been seen as somewhat off since my parents died. Over time, they just stopped caring."

This revelation caught Vivienne's attention. Carly had been managing to gather information under the guise of her supposed madness. "Stay sharp in the coming days. We'll need to work together closely," Vivienne said before heading out.

As Logan and Vivienne left Carly's house to visit the next, the neighbors seemed to have been waiting. Their suspicious glances turned into outright confrontation when they saw whom Vivienne and Logan had visited. "Why did you spend so much time with that lunatic?" the man asked, barely concealing his disdain.

Logan, unfazed, retorted, "We're going by the severity of the conditions. Do you fancy yourself a doctor now? If you question my methods, feel free to complain to Mayor Thompson. I'm done here."

This silenced the man, though his suspicious gaze lingered.

Inside, a peculiar scent caught

Logan's attention - a fragrance that

was pleasant yet foreboding. Recognizing the danger, he and Vivienne quickly found its source and neutralized it, revealing the family's attempt to conceaktheir use ofa toxic incense.

Confronted, the family tried to deny everything, but Vivienne, known among some as the "Thousand-Hands Healer" for her exceptional skills, wasn't fooled. She made it clear that their subterfuge would not be tolerated. The altercation was cut short when their conflict attracted the attention of Mayor Thompson's spies, who promptly reported back.

Mayor Thompson, in the midst of

discussing new experiments with Sebastian and others, was interrupted with news of the commotion. "What's this about the Thousand-Hands Healer and Gregg Tores nearly coming to blows?" he demanded, his annoyance palpable.

This unexpected turn of events hinted at the brewing storm in their quiet, controlled community.

The moment Mayor Thompson heard the report, his previously calm face was no longer serene; his brow furrowed as he gazed at the man kneeling before him. "What in the world happened? Weren't they supposed to be saving someone?"

Sebastian, upon hearing this, looked on with keen interest. He wasn't worried about Vivienne in the least; no one had yet managed to put her in a tight spot.

"They got held up at Carly's place. You know how things are with Carly. But who would've thought that Gregg would start causing trouble for the master and apprentice, even going so far as to light incense in the room?" "Damn it!" Mayor Thompson cursed. "That Gregg really is more trouble than he's worth. Can't handle a simple task, and now he's lighting incense?"

He had clearly underestimated Gregg's ambition.

Mayor Thompson knew the kind of people Logan and his group were. If he delayed any further, he feared they might start a brawl. Not wanting to waste another moment, he hurriedly made his way to Gregg's house. Throughout all this, Sebastian remained seated, unmoved. He watched Mayor Thompson's hasty departure and then turned his attention away as someone brought him a new batch of medicines.

Without even looking up, Sebastian said, "Keep these medicines away from me in the future; I don't need them anymore!"