Snippet #2002855

Braelyn was sitting upright in the infirmary bed, trying to grasp what she had been told. Bliss had brought her here after she had collapsed in the courtyard last night, and had stayed for a good while by her side before having to return to everyone else by curfew. She left before the worst of it hit, Nurse Smalt had told her, and Braelyn was thankful for it. She wouldn't have wanted her friend to see her like that.

"I know you must be very scared right now," the nurse said to her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "It's not easy to deal with. I know that. But it can be managed."

Braelyn nodded. "I just don't know how this could have happened," Braelyn told her. "I keep thinking back over the past month or two, I wasn't bitten by anything. This can't just come from nowhere, can it?"

"No," said Nurse Smalt. "It can't. I noticed from your files that you are adopted, is that right?" When Braelyn nodded, the nurse continued. "Do you know anything of your birth parents?"

"Nothing," said Braelyn. "What do they have to do with it, though?"

"It's only speculation," the nurse told her. "Not too much is known about the results of those people with your... condition reproducing, mostly because they generally decide not to altogether. In the rare case that there is a child, however, it has been found that results have been unpredictable. Some carry the disease, some do not, and in others, it lies dormant for a while. It is possible that may be the case for you."

Braelyn was quiet for a while. Finally, she took a deep breath, quickly wiping away a tear that had managed to escape. So many thoughts were running through her mind. "I don't want anyone to know about it," she said.

"I understand." Nurse Smalt reached for the file containing Braelyn's information. "We will keep this as confidential as we can, although certain school administrators will need to be aware of it for your own protection, and for that of the other students." She made some notes in the file and turned to go. "This is a lot for you to take it. Classes start today, but if you need some time, you may be excused for the day."

"No." Braelyn shook her head, standing. "No, I'll be fine. I don't want to worry everyone. Is it okay for me to go ahead and go down to breakfast?"

"Go on," said the nurse. "I'll be in touch with you regarding potions that will be prescribed for you and instructions for using them."

Thoughts raced through her head as Braelyn made her way from the infirmary to the Ferre dormitory so she could get ready for the day.