Doctor Hurt

Previous: Padrino Part 30

It snowed that night, the Panno Marie still stayed in the same crevice of the world of Fringe Island. The snow fell so thick that it was almost impossible to see through in the distance. Gonzo Lee stayed in his workshop, or gunroom as they had all come to know it, the flame of the welding torch heating up the room quite nicely. Alice, loving their new oven, cooked gingerbread and heated such a delightful spiced coffee that she had grown to enjoy over her time on Fringe. So the kitchen was well heated as well. Nikk, who did not mind the cold, stayed on the deck, wrapped in a blanket and read a story by the moonlight.

Jiro, however, stayed in Rinji's room, and played his guitar. Even if it seemed like low-level jibberish to him, the rest of the crew did not mind it at all. Rinji sat in the main room, as did Usagi, who sat at the table, trying to figure out a puzzle of bent, metal sticks that needed to be pulled apart in a very specific sequence, and method.

Chio lied down on a fluffy blanket while Dr. Ellis Darkwood examined the scar that ran from his chest to the side of his abdomen. She had already stitched it together the night before, but now she was checking for any signs of infection or any chance of reopening.

Ellis: So far, so good, Chio. You been takin' them pills I gave you?

Chio: Yeah, I'm just ready for this damn wound to turn into a scar. Not like I don't have enough of those already.

Ellis: Yeah, you got plenty, that's fo' sure. Just remember them antibiotics, you get an infection, I'mma bash you in myself. Savvy?

Chio: Yeah. [He snickered a little at her lingo.]

Ellis: Now then, Captain Rinji, was it?

Rinji: Indeed [Reading a newspaper.]

Ellis: Where's the rest of them guys you were with?

Rinji: Uhh you mean the Jolly Pirates?

Ellis: Yeah, them. [She started putting away her equipment.]

Rinji: They left, they're on to their next island, which is where we will be going very soon as well.

Ellis: Yeah, I been meaning to talk to ya about that. I been thinkin' for a while now, and since Chio kinda fell into my lap as a patient. I figgered he'd need my abilities as a doctor, and I need to get off this island.

Rinji: And why's that, exactly? [Folded up the newspaper.]

Ellis: Well, kind of a long story, but--

Rinji: I like stories...

Ellis: [Thought for a second, then shrugged.] Alright, I'm a mob boss. [This drew a look from everyone in the room.]

Rinji: A what?

Ellis: Mob boss, I was the head hancho of the Red Mafia, like my pops. No one really knew I was the Don, but my dad died 'bout six years ago, and when he passed, I took up the family business, even dropped out of med school. To them I was just the doc, patchin'em up when theys hurt... But back behind da curtain I was callin' the shots. [Her face turned a little grim.] Givin' my orders to Link McCoy, my right-hand man. Then these white-face suckas come in and gank the whole system. All my subordinates either turned tail or died. Now I got nothin, nothin but a butt-load'a cash and a few things my dad passed down to me.

Ellis started to rummage through her bag, pulling out entire stacks of money, pills, syringes, medical tools, and even one or two gold bars. Then there came something that made Usagi absolutely swoon, her breath caught in her throat.

Usagi: Oh my... a kanefusa