Billy Miller was an eight year old boy, living in a small town about fifteen kilometers away from Celerysprings. His character was adorable, one could call him a keen boy, clearly enjoying the life. He visited elementary school, had not only few friends, played football and loved "Pokémon". Just today, his mother Judith Miller, living separately from her man Marco Miller, had picked him up earlier than usual from the football training. "Unfortunately, it's about time again!", she had said. "You need to go visit a doctor for the regular checkup, honey. Last time we missed it and as a consequence you had to suffer two weeks of severe measles. This won't happen again."
Billy hadn't really celebrated these news, but he wasn't too annoyed either. The measles really had driven him crazy and in his worst feverish nights he often had woken with a start, not being able to distinguish reality and nightmares anymore. There was absolutely no way he wanted to risk having to experience similar suffering ever again. "After all, doctors and hospitals help and protect you from harm. They will always do what's best for you..", Billy thought to himself. In addition to his trust in the gentleness and altruism of every doctor, he just loved Dr. M. Erlin. He was calm and nice, he understood perfectly how to encourage Billy whenever he had to endure an injection and best of all, in the end of a examination, he always presented a lollipop for Billy. This time however, things went different. When Billy explained to his mother, that he wasn't fearing any checkup as long as Dr. Erlin was the one carrying it out, she made a caught face.
"Uuuuhh, I'm sorry honey", Judith started patting Billy's head, "I'm afraid we can't visit Dr. Michael this time. I forgot about the appointment today just until two hours ago. That's why I told your aunt I would be there at 6 pm already. In other words: We're in a hurry! If we would drive to St. Barths, we'd have to wait for hours until it would be your turn. This hospital is great, I know, but it's also always brimful. I asked a bit around and I heard that in Celerysprings there is a small hospital as well which is pretty empty all the time. If we're lucky a bit, the whole waiting and checkup won't take longer than thirty minutes. Again, sorry Billy, but you know your aunt. She easily gets stressed, when I'm one minute to late! Can you forgive me and just bear the procedure in another hospital this time?"
"Hmmmmmm." Billy's answer was short and sceptic. Actually he was not pleased by the thought of being examined by someone completely unknown and he felt how excitement, almost stage-fright like, rose in his chest. On the other hand he didn't want to show fear. Not even in front of his own mother. He always admired the heroes of the books he read, who were suffering from injuries as consequences from the massive battles they had fought in, and yet never gave up. "It's okay I guess, mom." Judith genuinely seemed eased and smiled. "You're my brave boy, Billy! Let's go then, no time to lose!"
The drive to Celerysprings wasn't really taking long, but it seemed long for Billy. Although his hometown wasn't really big, the only thing he could see through the windows of the car were detached farms, old mills and plain nature. Finally they arrived at the small hospital in Celerysprings and as they got out of the car, even Judith shivered slightly. "Wow, this is a lot darker place than I imagined. It kind of seems cold..there's something I don't like about this. But it surely is empty..no big crowd here. Are you sure you will be able to get your checkup done here, Billy?" Billy gulped as he looked at the shaded windows and a sharp squall hit him. He felt as if he wanted to get into the car again and tell his mother to please drive away, far away from this place but he knew that there was no going back for him now. "Of course, mom. Just..c-c-can we get this done fast?"
No sooner said than done. Judith and Billy entered the hospital and browsed around. The lobby was completely empty, all lights turned out. No one seemed to be around, which made the scenery even more disquieting. Judith furrowed her eyebrows and took a quick look on her watch. She began to get impatient. Billy in comparison still was overwhelmed by the rather creepy atmosphere. Somehow it seemed that inside the hospital it was even colder than in the wind outside, but both of them realized that the coldness wasn't in the room. It was actually coming from inside their chests, as if entering this hospital had caused something inside them to instantly freeze. Finally, after checking several corners, Judith discovered a small room looking like an office. It was illuminated and one could clearly recognize a human shape through the milk glass. "Alright, think I found the doctor Billy! Just wait where you are, I'll come after I have spoken with him!" With these words she entered the office and left Billy alone in the lobby. He sat down on one of the many empty chairs in the waiting area, humming some children's songs melodies. Right now in the half-dark of the oppressively empty lobby, he wished he had taken his GameBoy with him. Playing some Pokémon surely could have calmed him down a bit.
Finally his mother returned, looking a bit worried but still content. "So, honey. I spoke with the doctor. You will be examined very soon, there should be someone picking you up any minute. Is it okay for you if I leave you here now? Your aunt is probably starting to worry already and I really don't want to let her wait any longer. Also you know normally I would have personally brought you to your father for this week-end like I always do, but as you know, I'm really stressed at the moment. Also me and your dad..it's just not working anymore. I don't want to fight with him in front of you again. But that's no problem. The doctor offered me to let the phone number of your dad here, so that they can call your dad to pick you up as soon as the examination is over. If everything works well they won't call me and if something went wrong and your father can't come, they can still call me back. Are you okay with that?"
The lump in Billy's throat became bigger and bigger and so he didn't manage to speak anymore. He just somehow managed to get his excitement under control and nod for a second. Judith noticed it anyways, smiled and gave him a short kiss on the cheek. Then she rushed out of the hospital's entrance and only seconds later Billy heard the car's engine as his mother drove away to her sister. Now the waiting began again. This time it felt even more uncomfortable and Billy remained completely silent. The still rising excitement and the almost painful coldness in his chest prohibited him to dare humming again. At least his mother had been right. This time Billy hadn't to wait for long and after about two minutes..
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