The Scientist

3 days later

Doc pov:

Patient Report: Hels Knight

Condition: Post-fever recovery

Observations:
The patient’s fever has resolved, marking improvement in his overall physical condition. Despite this, cognitive disorientation remains a significant concern. The patient consistently expresses a desire to "return to Xisuma," but attempts to reorient him have been unsuccessful. A conversation with Xisuma was arranged; however, the patient did not recognize this individual as the "Xisuma" he believes he must find.

Additionally, the patient remains underweight and slightly dehydrated, despite ongoing care. Despite his weakened state, he continues to make efforts to leave, displaying persistent restlessness and confusion.

---

As I wrote this out, I couldn't help but think about what Hels had said, those words still echoing in my mind. Not the right Xisuma. My fingers drummed absentmindedly on the desk, the faint clicking of my pen the only sound in the room, save for the low hum of the news broadcast on the television in the background. I couldn’t shake the thought. What exactly did he mean by that? We all knew Hels had been with Xisuma's brother, Xavier. But why doesn’t he know Xavier’s name? He never once mentioned him directly, even though they'd spent time together. That detail gnawed at me.

I leaned back in my chair, the flickering light from the TV casting faint shadows across the room. Ren was here too, curled up in one of the chairs by the window, fast asleep in his wolf form. His soft, rhythmic breathing was almost hypnotic, a stark contrast to the chaotic thoughts running through my head. A small smile tugged at my lips—no matter what form Ren took, there was always something endearing about him. He had a way of bringing a sense of calm to any space he occupied, though tonight, it felt more like a quiet comfort in an otherwise stormy situation.

But as comforting as his presence was, I couldn't shake the worry that lingered in the air. Hels's condition, his confusion, and now this strange fixation on "the wrong Xisuma" added a new layer of complexity. It was hard not to think that there was something more beneath the surface, something that maybe even we were missing.

The night had stretched on longer than I had anticipated. The soft glow of my desk lamp created a pool of light, contrasting the dim corners of my office. Ren stirred slightly in his sleep, his tail twitching. I envied his peace. For now, all I had were questions—and the unsettling feeling that something deeper was at play.

The breaking news report cut through the calm like a sharp blade, shattering the stillness of the room. The sudden burst of noise startled Ren, who woke up with a jump, letting out a small yelp. His ears perked, and his eyes blinked rapidly in confusion as he tried to shake off the lingering drowsiness. The TV blared so loudly that I could hear the echoes of the report reverberating down the hall. It wasn’t just us—the sound had definitely woken Hels, too.

I glanced over at Ren, who was now fully alert, his wide eyes meeting mine with an expression that mirrored my own surprise. He tilted his head slightly, a silent question in his gaze.

"Come on," I said, standing from my chair and motioning for him to follow, "let's go see the news with Hels."

Ren hopped off the chair, shaking himself briefly before padding alongside me. We both knew that whatever had just interrupted our peace wasn't good. The atmosphere had shifted, and there was a shared understanding between us—something serious was unfolding.

“Breaking news!” the report blared as Ren and I entered the room. Hels’s eyes were already glued to the TV, his expression tense. The glow of the screen illuminated his face, making the worry in his eyes even more visible.