Afterward

The nurse nodded. "Okay, but be warned. The woman is...difficult."

"Please set up an appointment."

"Yes, doctor." The nurse left the doctor alone with Derick.

"Hello, Derick. How are you today? I'm Dr. Staetman."

"Doctor, why do you insist on talking about me like I'm not here?"

Dr. Staetman looked up from writing in his notepad in astonishment. "I thought you couldn't talk?"

Derick shook his head. "I talk when I want to. It's just that no one in this hospital is worth talking to. Except you, doctor. I find you extremely interesting."

"And I , you." The doctor replied as he jotted in his notepad.

"May I see my file?" Derick asked.

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that. I've heard that this is a new file. Put together after you destroyed the first one in a fire that you somehow managed to make."

"Tou'ché." Derick replied.

Dr. Staetman put his pen and notepad in the pocket of his white lab coat. He knew it was cliché to wear a white lab coat, but that was why he wanted to become a doctor. He felt important wearing it.

Derick could see the rain pouring down outside through his barred window. It hit the trees with such force that the branches bent as if they would snap at any second. Derick cringed. "Would you really like to help me?"