Smell it? Shane visibly relaxed. He was fine as long as he didn't have to drink the strange concoction. But looking at the steaming pot of dark liquid, he grew dubious again.
He had facial paralysis, not a sinus infection or anything of the sort. Thus, he was skeptical about the fact that his illness could be cured by merely inhaling the smell.
"Forget it. I've never heard of curing an illness by just smelling something. That's too absurd."
Jeffrey intended to have Matthew make a fool out of himself, though. Smiling, he persuaded Shane. "Mr. Wright, give him a chance. Even if it doesn't cure your illness, at least he'll give up."
As he spoke, he shot a knowing look at Shane.
Shane nodded. "Fine. I'll just do it to kill time."
He leaned over the pot, bringing his face close to the steam rising from the boiling rotten leaves. The smell wasn't strong. The steam, however, was searing hot.
Once his face was enveloped in hot steam, he immediately jerked his head up.
"I can't do this. It's too hot!"
"This is your only chance to be cured. Otherwise, taking medication will leave you with permanent issues—your features will become crooked. It's up to you," Matthew chimed in.
Crooked features? Seeing how grave Matthew looked, Shane thought he didn't look like he was joking.
A wave of horror washed through him. He couldn't believe that he'd possibly end up having a crooked face for the rest of his life. How could he look people in the eye like that?
Once again, Shane leaned his face over the pot to inhale the smell wafting from the steam.
Time passed as Jeffrey scowled at Matthew from the couch. He nearly snickered aloud. How could smelling rotten leaves possibly cure an illness? Matthew was definitely pulling his leg!
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