Apples and Oranges

My father was a bloody mess. The long knife was jutting out of the right thigh, with blood trickling down his leg while the left thigh was already bleeding profusely all thanks to Rennie. The tall man had given me the vial of Tenacium as promised in exchange for shitload of gold. An electric sneaker waited outside for our passage outside city, it was owned by the Boss. The bosses were the only ones to have those automobiles along with guns, doctors, food, water and a bunch of other things. Anyway so when I leave with my father here no one will stop us. But first, I had to get someone to administer Tenacium to my father. I couldn’t just hand it to him with a glass of water. Too much and it will kill him. Too little and it will wrought all kinds of bad to which death would seem like a splinter.

My father croaked in pain. Oh! Right! I tore a cloth in two and wrapped around the exposed wound as best as I could. I realized he must be screaming inwardly. And I still couldn’t muster even a drop of empathy. May be its better this way if I was like every other girl my father would have died a thousand deaths by now and and I would have been a slave. I was taught not to compare myself with others, but it brought things into perspective. You just had to be smart enough not to compare apples and oranges.

The knife! what do I do with that? The tall man had cautioned me against pulling it free. Rennie must not have hit an artery, he wanted to prolong my father's death as long as possible but still, I am no doctor. And where do I get one..? I did ask the tall man for one but he said that would raise questions, question I did not want raised. The bosses took doctors but not their relatives, well not all of them. Surely I can find someone curious enough who knows how Tenacium works. Who better to start with than SharmaJi’s son. Boy he is not going to be happy to see me!

“What are you doing here?” Shekhar shrieked.

“I need your help with something, if you would be so kind.” I said. Yes, politely.

“Why the hell would I help you? After what you did the last time you broke into my home.” Shekhar was still shrieking, did he think I was deaf? And what the hell I thought if you asked politely people forget the past and help you. I guess not.

“I could finish the job if that’s what you want.” I said. I didn’t mean to sound ominous it was just who I was.

“Help with what?” Now he squeaked. So that’s how you do it. Threats always work.

“My father is injured. Pretty bad! I need you to tell me how much Tenacium I should give him?”

“Tenacium? Where did you get it?” I just cocked my head. He seemed to get the idea. “I cant help you, I don’t know how it works, I am not a doctor.”

I picked up the vase next to me. It was heavy. Heavy enough to do the job.

“But I know someone who does.” He squeaked again. This time he did it even better. I should ask him how he does it after he helps me.

“Well, what are we waiting for? Lead the way.” I said with a smile.