The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights by Brick Moving Ant

Chapter 11

Joseph and I started dating, but our demanding jobs meant we rarely had time to see each other.

Most of our encounters took place in war–torn regions–he’d be rushing to treat the wounded, while I’d be in the operating room, fighting to save lives.

A fleeting touch as we brushed past each other was often the only connection we shared.

The patchy network signal didn’t help either, Days would pass without hearing from each other, but then, out of nowhere, my phone would buzz nonstop as messages flooded in. They were disorganized, chaotic, as if they too had braved gunfire and destruction, but they carried the weight of longing and steadfast affection.

The situation in North Kivu grew increasingly dire.

Our first argument happened on the day a village near Goma was attacked.

When we arrived, the armed militants hadn’t fully retreated, and the security forces were still exchanging fire with them.

We rushed back to the vehicle, preparing to evacuate, but Joseph suddenly jumped out of the ambulance.

There, at the edge of the battlefield, lay a collapsed villager.

Joseph hoisted the man onto his back and carried him to safety, his own body cut and bleeding from shrapnel.

I was furious and terrified, yelling at him, “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

But he stood his ground. “I’m a doctor! I couldn’t just leave him there! His leg was injured, but he could’ve survived. If I didn’t save him, he would’ve died for sure!”

I knew he was right, and I knew it was his duty to save lives.

But when he returned covered in blood–so much blood I couldn’t tell which was his and which

wasn’t–my composure crumbled.

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Chapter 11

a frantic examination and realizing his injuries were only superficial, I broke down, clutching him as I

else! If something happened to you, what would I do?”

before wrapping his arms

promise I’ll be more careful. I won’t put myself in danger, and I won’t make you

anymore.”

I buried my face in his chest. “You

pinky swear,” he said, taking my

swear, whoever breaks it will turn into a

tears. “If you really turn into a puppy, how would I introduce you to my

he teased,

He lay still, pretending to be dead. Panicked, I quickly pulled the pillow away, only to see his sly smile and perfectly

say: See? I’m not that easy to

eyes stung and blurred with

precious every single day with Joseph

of war escalated, the Ebola virus began its relentless assault on

country.

THE

even busier. With a severe shortage of medical staff, he shuttled back

in several cities. Many doctors were forced to abandon their posts and evacuate immediately. But

in Goma was still relatively stable. On the other hand, nearly a hundred patients remained

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Chapter 11

in their beds.

stay and adapt to the situation as

groups occupied the outskirts of Goma, cutting

a message, asking me to come to the treatment

waste disposal area. Inside an empty room that had been temporarily cleared out, I saw a group of Hutu children–over ten of them. They had escaped from the mountains,

were tattered, their bodies covered in infected wounds.

occupying the outskirts were Tutsis, and the Tutsis had a deep–seated blood feud with