Norbury Town
The stones of the street had been worn down by centuries of footsteps.
In the mornings, a damp mist drifted across the grey-patterned pavements, as if it were trying to erase the town's secrets.
Each stone carried traces of both past and future: the hurried steps of a doctor, the tapping of a patient's cane, the forgotten toy of a small child… all of it was here.
Levi's clinic stood on this narrow street, second from the left—a three-story building made of pale grey bricks.
Its tall, narrow windows were veiled with curtains faded by time.
Above the door hung a small iron bell that broke the silence with a soft chime every time the door opened.
The facade of the clinic was modest yet dignified.
Just above the entrance was a wrought-iron sign that read "Dr. Levi Thorne." The gold lettering, though darkened by years of rain, was still legible.
There was always a bit of mud on the doorstep; despite the cobbled roads, much of the town was still covered in dirt paths.
In autumn and winter, smoke rose from the chimneys of the houses flanking the street.
The scent of burnt coal mixed with medicine and tincture hung in the air like a pale, lingering haze.
Now and then, elderly women passed by with baskets on their way to the market.
Levi had arrived in this town as a stranger.
After graduating from medical school, and with his family's support, he had wanted to open a clinic somewhere not too far from the city. He had chosen Norbury as the most suitable place.
At first, no one trusted him.
He was young, and that alone made them believe he was inexperienced.
But over time... everything changed.
Years passed. His patients healed. Children were born.
Some even suggested naming the newborns after him.
The clinic eventually became a gathering place.
Levi's cold but polite demeanor left a strong impression on the townspeople, earning their respect.
The baker would give him an extra loaf of bread each morning.
The librarian would order any book he couldn't find.
The elderly would brew their tea just the way Levi recommended.
To the people of the town, Levi was someone they could trust—
But he never truly belonged.
Even though they had accepted him, there was always a subtle distance between them.
And now, with the latest rumors, that distance seemed to have deepened.
The bonds carefully woven over the years were beginning to strain—
as if an invisible thread was pulling too tightly, threatening to snap.