Plague Doctor

The sense of autumn deepened following the arrival of November. The Stone Cave Mountain north of the Eastern State was all orange and yellow. Sycamore trees shed their leaves turning the hiking trail into a golden carpet. It was particularly mesmerizing with the mountain fog. It was like a scene out of nirvana. This was not a famous tourist spot but it attracted many mountaineers and young backpackers. Currently it was still early morning, the air was damp and cold. Dark clouds moved through the sky, according to the weather report, it would be a cloudy day.

Due to its geographical uniqueness, Stone Cave Mountain was often foggy. Strangely enough, the fog was normally white but a billow of dark fog was now snaking along a mountain stream. The mountain stream curved from the mountain top to the foot. The water in the stream was clear and it burbled beautifully. It splashed against the rocks and nurtured the millions of lives living on the mountain. The water was the source of all life. As time moved to noon, the cloud of black fog did not dissipate, instead it gathered even thicker. The color darkened.

When the first ray of sunlight shot through the clouds and onto the stream, the fog finally disappeared. However, a rock that protruded out of the stream now had an extra greenish or blackish blotch on it, it looked like lichen or a stain. Other than the rushing water, everything was quiet, so quiet that it felt unnatural. It was not until laughter came from the hiking trails that the silence was broken.

"The air up here is always better!"

"Right so. Sitting all day at the office can drive a person mad. Coming out to be with nature once in a while is good for our body and soul."

"Fatty Ming? Keep up. We've only just started and you're already panting so hard?"

"The fact that he is willing to come along is already a miracle in itself."

This was a group of 5 youngsters, there were males and females. They looked like they just graduated from university. Two pairs walked in the front, chatting and laughing while a fatty trailed behind. Tan Jinming, he was not particularly fat per se. He wore a pair of glasses and had an honest face. He was an otaku, the kind with a big heart. He was from the same university with one of the four, he had a good relationship with him. Through him, he got to know the others. Tan Jinming was not offended that they used him as the butt of the joke. Fatty Ming was his nickname since he was small, so he was already used to it. Plus, he would mock them right back as that was what friends do, right?

But Tan Jinming's mind wavered this time. He pushed on his glasses and an annoyance rose in his mind. It brought with it an unsavory thought, 'Who are these people to mock you? They aren't gym rats by any means. They spend their time reading novels and playing games. They are just showing off. Who gives them the right to mock you?'

However, it was true that Tan Jingming was short of breath. He stopped to take a breath while his friends moved on. Being disturbed by the voices, the counter jabs that he had were swallowed back into his stomach.

"Ha ha." Tan Jinming faked a smile as he took in another fresh breath of the mountain air. He focused and resumed the hike. For some reason, the need for comparison appeared in his mind. He was 163 cm tall; he was fat, ugly and suffered from myopia… Then he turned to examine his four friends. Even though they were not celebrities, at least the men were tall and the girls pleasing to the eyes. His university friend, Wang Zibo could be considered good-looking. He was 178 cm tall, a born model. He was a reader and thus always had a story or lesson to share. He was understandably quite popular among the girls.

Wang Zibo had a pretty girlfriend, Zhu Lin. She knew how to dress and always presented herself as a modern beauty. With a little photoshop, she'd easily be crowned an online goddess.

𝘪𝙣𝓃𝒓𝗲𝒶𝗱. 𝐜o𝗺

The other pair, Fang Haixiang and Lee Huitong, was also a couple. Zhu Lin and Lee Huitong were best friends, it was how they formed this group. This was a double-date and Tan Jinming was the extra luggage. With that in mind, his shoulders slumped. 'Why did I agree to come, I could have spent this time sleeping or playing games at home. But that would make me the otaku fatty they claim that I am…' The annoyance grew bigger.

"Look, this stream is so clear, do you think we can drink directly from it?"

"Of course not, there might be parasites lurking in it."

"There won't be parasites, the water is so clear."

It was Zhu Lin who first showed interest in the mountain stream. She wandered off the trail and headed towards the stream. The rest followed her. Lee Huitong took several pictures, she'd post them on social media later. Zhu Lin and Wang Zibo discussed the possibility of parasites in the water. Wang Zibo's lecturing need kicked in, he said, "This has nothing to do with the clarity of the water. Places like this would have many aquatic organisms and decomposers, then they could have laid their eggs in the water. One drink and you'll be infected. That will cause serious trouble. Look, there are molds everywhere."

The others turned to look. Indeed, they did notice batches of moss sticking on the rock in the middle of the stream.

"Stop boasting…" Tan Jinming arrived then, "Read a little and you're already showing off? Just admit that you're a coward." This should be taken as jabs between friends, it was something they'd do often. But after the words left his lips, the voice in Tan Jinming's mind grew louder. 'Well said. Pompous pricks like him should be exposed…'

"Then why don't you drink it then?" For some reason, Wang Zibo could not control the anger in his voice. "Don't blame me for not warning you if you die from it."

That lit up the anger within Tan Jinming, "What are you talking about, are you cursing me now?!" The mountain wind chilled. Without anyone noticing, the water buffeted against the rocks and washed the stains off the stone and into the water.

"Hah, is that indignation I hear?" Wang Zibo did not back down. Normally he was an easy-going person but now he was like a firecracker. "You really think the water's drinkable because it's clear? Then will you eat any mushroom because it appears fresh? Such an uncultured swine." At the same time, Zhu Lin, Fang Haixiang, Lee Huitong noticed that Fatty Ming got really angry, his face was red.

"Shush." Zhu Lin pulled on her boyfriend. "We know the stream is not drinkable, that's enough. Stop gloating."

"I'm gloating?" Wang Zibo's heart dulled with suppressed rage. He seemed to hear a voice say, 'This is all Fatty Ming's fault for challenging you. No one here is cleverer than you, no one knows more than you. These people have never touched a book in their lives, they should all listen to you…'

"There's no need for argument." Fang Haixiang came over to mediate. "The scenery here is gorgeous, if we have the time for argument, why not spend it on taking more pictures."

"He's right." Lee Huitong nodded as she raised the camera. "We should practice sanitary habits when in the wilds, that is common sense. What is there to argue about?"

"Fine…" Wang Yibo took a deep breath and pushed the anger down.

These words travelled into Tan Jinming's ears and activated that chaos within him even further. 'They are mocking you, Fatty Ming, they are all mocking you. Do you hear that? This is supposed to be common sense. They not only think you're fat and ugly, they also think you're stupid and hard to be with. You are nothing more than a replaceable clown in this group. You're a laughing stock for them. For shame…' Tan Jinming felt a sudden splitting headache like something was entering his mind. Something that lit up the fire within him further.

The two couples went on with the photography sessions like nothing was wrong. Zhu Lin stood beside a cave with a pose while Wang Zibo took her picture on his phone, "Give me a bigger smile, lift your chin… Not your head. Right, that's it…" The other couple was doing the same thing. 'No one even pretends to care about you. They all said the water cannot be drunk… These arrogant pricks, they have not once really taken a good look at you…'

The fresh air did nothing to silence the chaos in Tan Jinming's mind. He stared at the rushing water and a thirst rose within him. 'Go take a sip, show them that the water is drinkable and it is good for you…' His throat trembled. 'Go ahead, drink it.' Tan Jinming took a slow step towards the water. The voice encouraged him, 'That's right. Go ahead.'

"Fatty Ming, come help us take some pictures." Wang Zibo called. He passed over the phone with his right hand, waiting for Tan Jinming to take it. Seeing the latter standing there with hesitation, Wang Zibo sighed, "Don't tell me, you're still angry?" Despite the voices, Wang Zibo still cared about their friendship. They had been friends since university… But they were dudes, there was no need for actual apologies, right? Wang Zibo half-sighed, "Let's forget what happened earlier, okay? You're still hung up on it? That's so unlike you."

Tan Jinming hesitated. He knew he was not a narrow-minded person, so how come… How would he place it, everything seemed to annoy him… But that was not the case in the morning, when they started the hike, everything was still normal… It was only when they reached this spot… that the annoyance came. Was he sick, was it a heatstroke? But the ray was not strong enough for a heatstroke. In fact there was barely any sun due to the thick clouds.

"Can we leave this place, now?" As a chill shot through his body, Tan Jinming said, "Something doesn't feel right about this place. The winds are too chilly." Hearing Fatty Ming say that, both Fang Haixiang and Lee Huitong shivered. Indeed something did not feel right. The concept of supernatural energy was a common one. Every day they would see news on it. Have they encountered something like that?

Zhu Lin looked around and the more she did, the more uncomfortable she felt. She could not tell where that feeling came from but it urged her to say, "We better go."

Wang Zibo was about to say something when something took over him. It unleashed the anger he had been suppressing and he roared, "What's your problem? We just want you to help us take a few pictures!" Zhu Lin and the rest were stunned. Wang Zibo had never acted like this before. "Why are you being so touchy over something so miniscule? Is it your period of the month?"

A bomb landed on Tan Jinming's mind. He instantly lost his mind. 'Wang Zibo, you motherfucker… For so many years, I've always allowed you to shine, is this how you treat your friend? You've been seeing me as a clown after all…'

Compelled by anger, Tan Jinming charged forward and launched a punch at Wang Zibo's face but the latter evaded it with ease. While the other 3 gasped in shock, Wang Zibo rammed into Tan Jinming. "Fuck you!"

The conflict happened beside the stream. With the push, Tan Jinming staggered, slipped on the moss and before he could react, his heart squeezed and he was sliding backwards. Splash! The water splattered everywhere. Tan Jinming fell facedown into the water. His head almost knocked against a rock. His whole face was submerged under the water. The water rushed into his eyes, ears, nose and mouth…

In his panic, Tan Jinming gobbled several mouthfuls of water. No one saw it but the seemingly clear water actually had dark green sediments. They followed the water into Tan Jinming's mouth, down his throat and then his stomach… They immediately attached themselves to the stomach lining. In just an instant, the color of the lining changed from red to dark green…

"Fatty Ming!"

"Pull him up please!"

The others gasped. Even though the stream was not deep and the water slow, the trip could be very dangerous. Wang Zibo shivered like he woke up from a bad dream. 'What happened to me? Why did I get into a fight with Fatty Ming…?'

He hurried to help Fang Haixiang to pull Tan Jinming out from the stream.