Dr. Z laughed.
"Lucky for you."
"I enjoy figuring things out."
Kai muttered under his breath.
"...That's exactly what scares me."
The doctor pretended not to hear him.
Instead—
He reached beneath the bed and pulled out Kai's belongings.
His cloak.
His Clothes.
His knuckle duster.
Everything was intact.
"Nothing was stolen."
"I'm a doctor."
"Not a thief."
Kai accepted his belongings.
"...Thanks."
Dr. Z waved dismissively.
"You paid enough."
Kai wasn't entirely sure what that meant.
The room fell silent for a moment.
Eventually—
Kai slowly sat upright.
Every muscle protested.
"...Urgh..."
Dr. Z watched quietly.
"No dizziness?"
"...A little."
"No vomiting?"
"Not yet."
"No hallucinations?"
Kai paused.
"...Does dreaming about alternate versions of myself count?"
The doctor thought for a second.
"...We'll call that normal."
Kai sighed.
"Somehow I knew you'd say that."
Dr. Z opened the window.
Fresh air entered the room.
"You should leave."
Kai blinked.
"...Already?"
"If you stay."
"You'll become my next research assistant."
"...Is that bad?"
"You won't survive."
Kai immediately stood up.
"...I'm leaving."
"Wise decision."
He slowly gathered his equipment.