Page 33 - The Muse 2021

mutations and did not resemble humans though they had not mutated yet. As Bianca and the others looked around, they could see the oddest plants they had seen in a while. Some were carnivorous and ate the dead animals laying around. Some had legs and walked around clinging onto other living creatures and sucking the life out of them until they moved on the next. Others stayed still but the moment anything got too close they would release a poison so deadly the already dead creatures were affected. But to Bianca the most dangerous plant there was a white crystal lily. It was beautiful and its crystal petals were as clear as the night sky on earth. It did not move, bite, scratch, kill, or poison its surroundings. It was completely motionless. Almost like a small ray of light at the end of a never-ending tunnel. It was bigger than the other plants and gave off the most angelic and soothing light. Some creatures stayed near it for protection, but Bianca knew the truth. That behind everything beautiful in life there is always something corrupt and dangerous. Bianca had read about this flower before. It attracted people, animals, and even mutations with its beauty and calming glow. It made them feel safe and warm around it. It even healed the wounds of the hurt, but it was all an illusion.
In truth, the flower attracted people who were none the wiser to come close to it and stay. It would then release a light invisible and unnoticeable perfume that made any living creature around it fall into a deep dark slumber. It was said that once you smelled the perfume it was game over. You would hallucinate about being in paradise and having all your troubles melt away. You felt like your wounds were healing and that nothing bad would ever happen to you again. However, in reality, while people hallucinated the plant would absorb them through its petals and slowly start draining their life force little by little until even the memory of them disappears from this world as the plant consumes them to grow and live and leaves no bones, clothes, or even their names behind. That is how the flower became named The Crystal Marioneta. Bianca knew she had to be wary of this flowery because it would be hard even for her to fight back it’s perfume.
“Ooh, there it is,” said the Doctor. “That’s the flower we need!”
“Very well then I shall get i-” started Bianca “... Doctor have you gone mad or do you just want to kill us?” continued Bianca in a surprisingly calm manner even though the doctor wanted the Crystal Marioneta.
“I can get it!” exclaimed Usalina “Hallucination does not work on me!”
“Now, now, patience. Usalina. You cannot rush in there without proper protection, so I brought these... TADA!” “Really doctor, clothespins? You think that is going to protect her from one of the deadliest flowers on this
planet...” answered Bianca unimpressed and not surprised.
“Come on you can trust me it will be fine and if the worst comes to pass, we’ll just hold our breath and go get
her!”
“Hold on “we’ll” as in you and me ... Yea, this is your idea so if she starts hallucinating you can get her back on
your own. I’ll be over here collecting other plants we need for the clinic. This is your problem; not mine so don’t drag me into it”
“How typical of you Bianca... Well if we both get infected you will at least try and save us, right?” said the Doctor trying to brighten up the mood a little.
“I’ll save Usalina because she is not the one rushing in there recklessly, but you better not fall into its trap or you are a goner! Do you understand me! A human such as yourself cannot withstand the psychological trauma of having the hallucinogens removed from your body,” said Bianca as she started to collect some plants “plus the clinic needs you,” she said again under her breath.
“Fine, fine, we will be careful... plus I would never put Usalina in harm’s way without some proper safety precautions,” answered the Doctor in the same manner he talked inside the clinic.
“Just don’t do anything reckless and use your brain for once,” responded Bianca in a cautious manner.
Though it may seem like Bianca hates the Doctor this is in no way true. She does believe that he slacks off a lot and does not use his brain too often, but she has known him long enough to learn to respect him. She knew of his cunning and had seen him work on some patients. He did not waste a single movement and performed his operations flawlessly. However, she did not want to boost his already enormous ego so she swore to never let him find out the truth because if she did, she knew she would never hear the end of his bragging.
“Ok, Usalina! You ready!?” asked the Doctor holding Usalina in his hands.
“I’m a little worried... why are you holding me Doctor?” asked Usalina in a nervous fashion.
“Ok, here is the plan. I am going to throw you towards the plant, and you are going to use your abilities to limit its
hallucinogenic abilities as much as you can and for as long as you can. Then I am going to run in and collect the plant! Got it!” said the Doctor in a way too serious manner for what his plan was.
“Hold on Doctor, I don’t think this is a good ideaaaaaaaah!” started Usalina, before being thrown by the doctor. “Do your best!”
“I waas noot reeadyyy!” cried Usalina in mid-air.
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