Off Record [Ereri/Riren] ✓

25 ⚕︎Retrogression ✍︎

Off Record
Chapter 25
⚕︎Retrogression ✍︎
Levi

ret·ro·gres·sion

/retrəˈɡreSHən/

noun

the process of returning to an earlier state, typically a worse one.

I sit in a cushioned seat in the town's library, waiting for Grisha Jaeger to make his appearance. He's supposed to be coming here for his book, Ataraxia and explain everything in terms of becoming mentally and physically "enlightened." To me, he sounds like an unrealistic perfectionist, even worse than me. From what I've researched and come to on my own, it all seems like subtle brainwashing for him to get what he wants.

"Are you excited?" A blonde asks me excitedly. "He's supposed to be here in five minutes!"

My glasses slide down my face slightly as I turn to face them. She looks about twenty and gives me the medical student vibe. I pity her. Grisha Jaeger doesn't seem like the best role model, but I guess that I'm not either.

Maybe we're more alike than I thought...

"In the dream... right before I woke up, the man...he turned into you."

I grip my pen and pad tightly before answering her. "I'm on the edge of my seat."

Why I'm here alone investigating a possible maniac is beyond me. I just want to see him so that I can draw up his psyche. He's not the only well known doctor. My input would be taken very seriously in the court of law. In fact, I've been given murder and rape cases and asked to draw up a potential suspect and my words have put people behind bars every time. I'm no detective, but I'm not ignorant in the inner workings of America's justice system.

He'll rot in jail.

He finally makes his appearance and smiles towards the crowd while taking his place at the front of the area that had been sectioned off for this event. He looks refined, his hair and beard crisp and trimmed without a strand out of place. He takes his seat. "Good afternoon, everyone."

"Good afternoon, Dr. Jaeger," the crowd says in unison like a kindergarten class to a teacher.

I just watch him, keeping my glance blank and my expression stoic. I don't really pop out, so this should be easy. If I want my presence to be known, it will be.

"First off, I'd like to say I'm pleased to see that so many of you are pursuing this course of knowledge. I hope each and every one of you will help to create a brighter and healthier future." He smiles again and adjusts his glasses. "We can start and whoever has a question can step up to the mic."

A woman who looks about thirty-five with frown lines, earthy hair, and a deadset expression walks with purpose up to the mic and grabs it. Based off her attire consisting of a formal black skirt, crisp white shirt, and calculating eyes, I think it's safe to assume that she's a member of the medical community, but an interviewer. "Good afternoon, Dr. Jaeger. I'd like to just address first off that the community is just aching to read your words of wisdom from your many years in the field, but I, like so many others are probably wondering, would like to know what exactly is your vision of health?"

"That's a wonderful question. What I hope to see in the future, is a mind and body that work perfectly in sync with one another. Logic and emotion must be weighed equally. You are all well aware that retraining one's body is quite possible, I don't see why people are so reluctant to do the same with the mind. A future that I want to see is one where we are all the healthiest we can be and are all mindful of our own shortcomings so that we can stop celebrating and uplifting unhealthy habits and start to properly address them."