WELCOME TO CEREPANA.

 

There laid an arch that coldly greeted the tall, rather middle-aged man. He looked around the gray surroundings that enveloped the community. Indeed, the bus dropped him off at the right place—the barrio. 

 

As he made his way deeper into the dreadful town, he happened upon two weary-eyed men, bones almost glued to their skin with lips that were powdered with dull ivory. Carrying his suitcase and hidden video camera, the grizzled man thought to approach them. He then asked: 

 

“Pardon me, sires, for interrupting you.

Just an answer to my question will do.

Out of curiosity, my visit lies,

do you know where the Barrio Doctor resides?”

 

To his content, the frail men replied:

 

“Beyond the city, there bears magic—

stretching toward the Barrio Clinic.

When Cerepana was left with less than hope,

the Barrio Doctor appeared from the North

to cure us of the plague that envelops the land.”

 

The two old men continued onward, vanishing behind the dense fog. The investigator marched down the winding road, passing by several moribund trees sheathed in an atmosphere swelling in a concoction of medicine and liquor. He noted that the people looked rather gaunt and enfeebled as he took short glances at them resting under shelter. After a half hour of rigorous documentation, he encountered an eccentric man. Hoping to find his luck this time, he did not hesitate to ask:

 

“The barrio, if I’d sketch, is like a maze.

Could you please tell me where the Doctor stays?”

 

The eccentric man closed his eyes as a mist formed within him, then he said:

 

“Do not be deceived by furbished lies,

for the Barrio Doctor is that most true.

The Center of the Land he does control;

and corrupts the minds of the barrio.

Then preaches that he cures all sickness.

Who’d believe me—who’s against the Doctor?”

 

Such oddity arose from the middle-aged man after the curious character ranted on about his mysterious home.

 

“Could you please tell me more of what you speak?

I wish to document it, if I may?

I came to the barrio to investigate

the Doctor who started to spread the plague.” 

 

“It’s a conspiracy called the ‘Devil’s control’

that ambled the whole barrio by the Doctor.

Ev’ryone’s been deceived, it goes on forever,

do not be a fool and return home.”

 

After a tiresome coaxing, the deranged man finally capitulated. Then, the investigator found himself in front of the slavish façade of the shady barrio clinic. He turned to thank the eccentric man, only to find his shadow disappearing toward the mist. 

 

Inside the clinic displayed the doctor’s framed achievements. At first glance, he had seemed distinguished. The Barrio Doctor was carefully putting the syringe and needle together when the investigator entered, greeting him with a velcro smile underneath his mask. Without an inch of vanity, the Doctor looked innately masculine, sporting an ash-powdered coat and stethoscope.

 

“I have come from the North to look for you.

I’ve heard rumblings of your abilities.

If you can perform miracles, show me.

For I have a virus that weakens me.”

 

“May your soul be nourished as I inject:

‘tis really the secret to my success.

Tarry not, ‘cause I wouldn’t care for you—

this antidote I administer would surely do.” 

 

The investigator settled as the Barrio Doctor cleaned his wound. Feigning sickness, he subtly asked:

 

“Years have gone by, why did you stumble

to perch on a destitute quarter?

Great minds like you should be in big cities,

to be recognized for your achievements!”

 

“Oh yes, I’m the Barrio Doctor who heals;

Every pump of syringe is a symbol of my feat.

I roam around the world to discover–

that my destiny is to be valued 

by these people who’ll adore me.”

 

As the investigator motioned to stay in the doctor’s hand for his second jab, his body did not respond, leaving him frozen in both body and mind. The Barrio Doctor leaned in closer.

 

“I knew from the start you told lies.

‘Cause I am the Barrio Doctor who kills.

The power I possess lies in their life span,

the hour has come for you to be deceived.”

 

The investigator found himself with blurred vision rushing out the clinic doors. He stumbled his way further and further into the town as sordid tears began coating his face. He spotted a blinking light near the entrance arch, dragging his increasingly cumbrous body toward it. The bus, of course!

 

Leaping with his last bits of strength, he threw his possessions toward the flashing light, maintaining hope that someone would bring his findings to the north. 

 

As he belatedly collapsed, he felt a sharp pain in his chest, the sound of roaring flame finally reaching his ear.