Chapter 2: Meeting Eugene Chandler

Words : 1709 Updated : Sep 24th, 2025

When Camilla laid out the rules, Ramon didn't dare argue. He quickly nodded and played it off. "Since you're staying, we need to set some rules. First, don't walk around naked outside your room." "Second, don't bring people over without asking me first, and don't touch my stuff." "Third, if I'm not around, make sure the place stays clean." She ticked them off on her fingers and told him to stick to them. "To be fair, you can set rules for me, too. Anything you want to add?" Seeing that Ramon just kept nodding and stayed quiet, Camilla prompted him. "I don't have any," Ramon said, shaking his head. "I'm Camilla Bexley. What's your name?" She introduced herself, then looked over at him. "Ramon Baxter." After that bit of back-and-forth, Ramon settled in. He'd ended up sharing an apartment with a stunning woman, but he didn't think much of it. New to the city and to adult life, he was pretty naive. "You came from the countryside. Got any plans?" Seeing how straightforward and shy he was, Camilla relaxed and even asked about his plans. "I'm going to meet a friend first, then find a job," Ramon said. "All right. I've got an early flight tomorrow. I'm turning in." Camilla flicked her long hair and headed for her bedroom. The door clicked shut. He heard the soft snick of the lock. Ramon had barely turned to sit when her door opened again. She poked her head out and called, "There are comforters in the other two rooms. I bought them for a friend, but they're not needed anymore. Use them for now. Pay me back when you've got the cash." Before Ramon could reply, her door slammed shut again. It wasn't evening yet. Ramon went downstairs and wandered for a while. He walked until it was dark, then grabbed dinner, and only then did he return to the apartment. He didn't see Camilla and figured she was still sleeping. He cleaned up, then returned to his room. Not until three in the morning did he hear Camilla's door open, followed by the sound of her footsteps as she left. The next day, Ramon set out to visit his senior, Eugene Chandler. Since he had come to Leaville, he had to pay his respects. Eugene lived in the staff dorms of the state hospital. Ramon had been there once years earlier with their mentor. Not much had changed over the years. When Ramon reached the dorm buildings, he saw Eugene outside, fussing with his caged bird. Eugene was an old hand at traditional medicine at the state hospital, a celebrated master physician across Chicia. Age had caught up with him, and he was half-retired and rarely saw patients. When a case proved especially thorny, though, he would still step in. "Eugene!" Ramon called from a distance. Eugene looked up, startled, then broke into delight. "Ramon, what brings you here? Did Mr. Alistair come too?" "He's off traveling to pursue enlightenment, and he sent me out to toughen me up," Ramon said with a shy smile. Eugene was seventy-two. Ramon was twenty-two. With a full fifty years between them, calling him his name felt a little odd. "How is Mr. Alistair? When did you get to Leaville? You probably don't have a place to stay. I ended up renting out the place I'd set aside for Mr. Alistair. Come crash at my place." Eugene suddenly remembered the rental. He hadn't expected Ramon to turn up. The apartment had sat empty for years and felt wasted, so he'd rent it out. "Mr. Alistair is doing well. Don't worry about where I'm staying. I already have a place," Ramon said. He didn't mention that he was in the apartment. Camilla was there, and explaining it would have been a mess if Eugene had asked questions. "Good, good." Eugene nodded in relief, then noticed the ring on Ramon's hand. His eyes sharpened. Pointing at the ring, he asked, "Did Mr. Alistair pass it to you?" "Yes." Ramon nodded. "Come inside, quickly." Eugene set the birdcage down, grabbed Ramon by the arm, and hurried him inside. As soon as they stepped in, Eugene's face grew solemn. He sank to his knees and said with reverence, "I bow to the sect leader." Ramon moved to stop him, but it was too late. He hurried to lift him. "Please don't. We don't have to be so formal when we're not in the sect." "No. The rules of the sect cannot be broken," Eugene said, still firm. Their sect had taught everything Eugene knew of the healing arts. Without it, there would have been no Eugene Chandler of today. Men of his generation prized respect for their mentors and for tradition above all. "Eugene, if you keep this up, I won't come see you again," Ramon said, feigning anger. "This is a rule handed down for centuries," Eugene protested. "If you call me sect leader, then you follow my word. No bowing when we meet. Call me by my name," Ramon said, using the authority that came with the ring Alistair had passed down. "Yes." Only then did Eugene rise. "Call me by my name. Society has changed. Don't bring those rules into everyday life. Remember," Ramon reminded him. "All right, Ramon. My wife went to buy groceries. Stay for lunch," Eugene said. Ramon nodded. "Do our seniors know you're out in the world now?" Eugene asked, suddenly remembering. "They don't. We'll tell them when there's a chance," Ramon said. "Fine. As you say." Eugene agreed. Just then, Eugene's phone rang. It was his son, Daniel Chandler. "Dad, are you home?" Daniel's urgent voice came over the line. "I'm home. What's wrong?" Eugene asked, frowning. "My supervisor suddenly had a stroke. He's half-paralyzed. We've tried all the hospitals, but failed. I'm bringing him over for you to see," Daniel said. Daniel was the mayor of Leaville, the city's top official. Hearing the anxiety in his son's voice, Eugene urged him on. "I'm at home. Bring him right away." A stroke was no small matter. The longer it lasted, the harder it was to treat, and disability could become permanent. Knowing how serious it was, Eugene told Daniel to hurry. "Ramon, I have something to take care of. Once I'm done, we'll have a couple of drinks," Eugene said apologetically after he hung up. "All right. Work comes first," Ramon said. He'd heard the call as well. Daniel's supervisor had suffered a stroke, and it sounded urgent.

Chapter 2: Meeting Eugene Chandler

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