From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Willard ushered Anthea through the streets towards his niece’s place.

Willard’s niece was no average Jane. She lived in a mansion nestled within an affluent suburb where help was in no short supply.

“Uncle Willard, you’re here.” Paulina greeted, her beauty evident despite the pronounced dark circles under her eyes, hinting at her age around the late twenties.

Willard introduced them, “Paulina, this is Anthea Yeager, the doctor I mentioned. This is my niece, Paulina Smith.”

Paulina widened her eyes in surprise as she noticed Anthea standing beside the owner of Willard.

Could such a young girl really cure the illness?

Anthea stepped forward with a friendly smile, “Hello, just Anthea is fine.”

“Please, take a seat, Anthea,” Paulina said, signaling to a servant to get some coffee.

Anthea took a sip of her coffee and then said, “Shall we go see the patient?”

Paulina hesitated but finally agreed. She couldn’t disappoint Willard after all.

They approached the bedroom, which was vast but filled with the sterile scent of disinfectant. not the most pleasant aroma.

The man on the bed was gaunt, barely showing signs of life.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Anthea sat by the bed, touching his wrist with concentration. After a moment, she let go and looked up at Paulina, “Ms. Smith, did your husband travel to any tropical regions before he fell ill?*

Paulina nodded, somewhat taken aback, “Yes, we were in Bolivia.”

Anthea nodded. “That makes sense. Your husband has a rare condition called Anos Syndrome. It’s typically not contagious and spreads through consuming undercooked meat, prevalent only in tropical areas.

“Anos Syndrome?”

Anthea explained, “Simply put, it’s a parasitic infection. There are fewer than three known cases worldwide!”

“Why couldn’t the hospitals detect it?” Paulina pressed.

“Because the Anos parasite is filamentous and transparent, which is quite cunning. Once it infests a human, it blends into the flesh, making it hard to detect with current medical technology.”

#lin Anthea’s original world.

But what baffled Anthea was how someone in this world had managed to catch it, too.

“If you’re skeptical, I can prove it to you,” Anthea lifted the covers and pressed on several points on the man’s chest.

Suddenly, the man sat up, coughed up a mouthful of blood, and then passed out again.

Paulina gasped in shock, “Tammie!”

“Look at the floor, Ms. Smith,” Anthea said calmly.

Paulina turned pale as she saw several transparent worm–like creatures wriggling in the pool of blood.

“That’s the Anos parasite.” replied Anthea.

While the others panicked, Anthea was the epitome of composure.

“Ms. Yeager, please save my husband!” Paulina switched to a more formal address to show her trust in Anthea.

“Don’t worry, Ms. Smith. I’ll do everything I can.”

“Do you have any paper and a pen?” Anthea asked next.

“Yes, right away!” Paulina quickly had someone bring the items.

Anthea scribbled down a prescription and handed it to Paulina, “Follow this treatment prescription and I’ll come back for a follow–up in a week.”

“Thank you!” Paulina nearly bowed with gratitude, “Ms. Yeager, if you cure my husband, you’ll be my family’s savior!”

Anthea gently stopped her, “Let’s wait until your husband is fully recovered before you thank me.”