The prisoner

March 2023, Philipides Mansion, Athens.
Patrick:
My cell phone rings, I growl exasperated, materializing near the small table where it rests and taking it. It is a call from Gandhi. I pick up.
—Mahatma,my friend, how are things…?
—Forgive me for bothering you at this hour, Sir, but this is an urgent matter.-he shoots haltingly.
— What’s going on?
—You won’t believe it, sir. I myself didn’t quite believe it. I was touring the Arab territories, as I always do once a year. They told me about him, my subordinates in Iraq thought it was strange. This is amazing, My Lord. A true miracle! – Mahatma sounds remarkably excited.
—Calm down a bit, man. Now, tell me, what’s exactly happens?
—It’s Lord Alexandros!- Gandhi exclaims. – I’ve found him. He’s alive, in a sorry state, but he’s alive!

Kira:
I leave the bathroom, wrapped in a robe, walking across the room and finding Patrick sitting on the floor, he has turned pale and his hand that holds his cell phone to his ear visibly trembles
— My King, Sir, are yo there. Hello? Can anyone hear me? – I hear someone mutter through the phone receiver.
I crouch next to my husband,a lost expression has taken over his face, his body is prey of an acute tension. I take the cell phone from his inert fingers, answering it.
— Hello
—Mistress? Is that you, Mistress Kira? Look, I know this is unexpected and frankly unbelievable news, but Lord Alexandros is alive, I found him, and he requires immediate medical assistance.
—What?!- I yell.
Patrick comes out of his numbness and in a second he grabs takes cell phone, standing up and walking away, pacing about the room.
—Tell me everything – I hear him bellow. Gandhi answers but I can’t catch what he’s saying.
— A human? How can he possibly be a human?- Patrick rebukes. Gandhi answers again and Patrick’s eyes seem to want to pop out of their sockets.
—I am going there immediately. I’ll go out on the jet. Give him first aid to the best of your ability, I’ll bring my medical team for further examination. And Mahatma…- Patrick’s voice breaks.- Are you absolutely sure it’s him?
Patrick closes his eyes and squeezes his eye closed tightly.
—I’ll be there as soon as possible.- He hangs up and looks around the room with a lost expression for a few seconds.
—Patrick, did I hear right? Is Alex alive?-I screech. I can’t help it, this news borders on the wonderful, its unthinkable, it’s incredible.
—That’s what Mahatma thinks. I am not so sure. Until I see him with my own eyes, I won’t believe it.-he mutters, turning on his heel and heading for the door.
I quickly ditch my robe, finding a dress and throwing it on in seconds, throw on some low-top flip-flops, and dash after my husband. I caught up with him when he had already reached the private runway.

Patrick:

—Will you come with me?- He turns taking his wife in his arms.
—No. I’ll stay here.-the vampiress whispered. -I understand this situation is very hard for you. Besides, if that man is really Alexandros, you’ll have a lot to do.
Around them the members of the medical team were arriving and the crew of the Jet was taking their places. Patrick hugged his wife tightly, kissing her goodbye.
— I will return as soon as I clarify this matter, sweetheart.
The vampiress nodded and the Mégas climbed the steps of the plane.

000
After landing on the tarmac at Abu Gurayb prison in Iraq, Patrick Amíntoros was greeted by Mahatma and the prison warden.
—Where is he?- the king bellowed.
—He is in the infirmary.-answered Gandhi.
— Are you completely sure…?
— Of course, my Lord , I wouldn’t have called you otherwise.
They walked through the corridors of the prison, the prisoners in their side booing, shouting and uttering all kinds of obscenities. They finally arrived at the infirmary, Patrick was impatient. He looked at the man who was resting on a bed near the wall, materializing next to him and was stunned with horror.
—Ah, old friend, you have come to my aid.- the prisoner whispered, and Patrick’s strong knees gave way beneath him.
—My Lord!- the Mégas exclaimed, moved. Kneeling beside his former king.-It is really you, how is this possible? What kind of sorcery is this that has brought back you back from the dead?
Big tears ran down Patrick’s cheeks, he couldn’t believe it, Alexandros was really alive. However, something wasn’t entirely right. His Lord was human, he was in a state of extreme thinness, his face, which had been so beautiful, was bruised, his upper lip was bleeding slightly, his nose had been broken on more than one occasion, He had a year- long beard, and his hair had grown disproportionately, his cheeks were sunken, his skin showed a sickly palor, huge dark circles were evident under his eyes, his arms, once so strong and vigorous, were thin and seemed to lack muscles.
With a trembling hand, Patrick pushed back the sheet that covered his friend’s legs and intense rage washed over him.
—Who dared to do such an atrocity?!- he barked, showing his fangs menacingly and jumping to his feet. — I demand a punishment for the guilty!
Alex’s legs were a horrible sight, they were deformed, crooked, Patrick knew that the cause of such a state was that his Lord had been subjected to frequent beatings, suffering constant fractures in his legs, which hadn’t heal properly.
— The guilty have already paid for their offense.— Gandhi replied proudly.— They will be subjected to the same treatment they have given our Lord, for the same period of time.
—That isn’t enough, I demand their hearts on a platter!- Patrick bellowed.
—No.
Patrick and Mahatma turned to look at Alex.
— The sentence that Gandhi has determined is correct and just
— But, my Lord…- Patrick pleaded.
—No, old friend. Enough is enough.- Alex gasped leaning back on the pillow.
Silence reigned for a moment until Patrick lowered his proud head in surrender. Alex sighed, attempting to produce a smile on his beaten and hurting face.
— I don’t want those men to be killed because of me, they suspected that I was a spy, therefore they dis everything in their power to extract information from me. It was a pity I had no information to give them.
— I have brought the best doctors in Greece, my Lord. Let them examine you.- Patrick pleaded.
—Agreed.

000

— The patient suffers from severe anemia and is on the verge of starvation.
— The greatest damage was inflicted on the osteomyoesqueletal system, especially on his lower body.
— His full recovery is possible, but it will be a long and painful process.He may not regain full use of his legs.
— We will have to break his bones again to put them back in the right place and thus helping them heal properly.
The members of the medical team commented among themselves, while explaining to Patrick and Alex the particularities of the case. Patrick’s chest contracted in a painful fist. His Lord would survive but he would require special care and a reinforced diet but he would survive, however, although Alexandros listened to everything with an impassive face, the news of his probable disability hit him hard.
Patrick dismissed the doctors and turned to his friend.
—We’ll fix it, my Lord. You will walk again I am convinced. If anyone has the willpower to withstand physical therapy and get better in record time, it’s you.
A shadow of sadness crossed Alex’s two-tone gaze. Patrick walked over to him and squeezed his shoulder in a show of his support.
— Have faith, my lord, the worst is over. The conversion will restore your beauty and vigor in the short term of seven days.
—No, old friend. This time I won’t take the easy way out.
— Master?
—I will not become a vampire again.I wish to remain a human and live as such. -Alex looked into his best friend’s eyes.
—And I want my witch back.