The doctor smiled.
"You're finally awake."
Kai slowly sat up.
His body protested immediately.
Every muscle ached.
His ribs still hurt from Taai's welcome.
"..."
Something felt...
Wrong.
The doctor's face.
The glasses.
The voice.
Kai's eyes widened.
"...Aren't you—"
The doctor immediately raised a finger.
"Shhh."
Kai stopped.
The man closed the door behind him.
Click.
Silence filled the room.
The doctor walked toward the bedside.
Then smiled.
"I didn't expect we'd meet like this."
He adjusted his glasses.
"But..."
"I wouldn't mind if this became our last meeting too."
Kai slowly lowered his voice.
"...Dr. Z."
The doctor gave a theatrical bow.
"Wonderful."
"You remembered."
Kai frowned.
"...We've never met."
Dr. Z grinned wider.
"True."
"...From my perspective."
He pulled up a chair.
Sat backwards on it.
Resting both arms over the backrest.
"My, my, my..."
"...Kai."
"So."
"You finally came."
Kai stared.
Dr. Z leaned forward.
"So."
"You really want that surgery, huh?"
Kai's expression froze.
"..."
Dr. Z tapped his chin dramatically.