He coughed, then winced. Since he had woken up, there had been stinging in his chest and laughing had caused it to hurt even more now. He smiled in ridicule of the situation, but Rico just sat there and said nothing.
Suddenly he heard the echoes of heavy footfalls coming their way. Casey turned his neck; which sent a shiver of pain through his spine. He didn't even notice that injury earlier, and maybe there was more to be found. That would be fun.
The person sounded very big. Though their steps were perfectly measured, and created a personal sound.
He came in in white clothing; a doctor's coat, with more pockets than they would usually have. He wore black scrubs too. He was a tall man, and a slightly overweight. His face was very clean, and his expression made him seem serious. He had a clipboard under his left arm, and a noticeable wrist band on that arm too.
"Are you like a doctor-sorcerer, or something?"
Casey's eyes twitched at Rico's crazy words. He just sighed.
The man frowned. "I'm a doctor and a sorcerer. I don't know what a doctor sorcerer is. Did you get injured too? John only told me about Casey."
"He's just naturally sick."
Perhaps feeling that he'd been too harsh, Casey did another round of coughing.
"Damn fake."
The doctor smiled at Casey. " You know I've heard a lot about you from your father? He said that you'll be as powerful as us one day. But you got to do a better job at getting to this age."
"I need to ask you some questions to make sure you're alright, Casey. And then I'll check on him too." He raised an eyebrow. "What's your name?"
"I'm Rico Strachan. I'm actually half beast man, by the way."
"Does that matter?"
"Well I'm not sure, but it's something."
"Has to be something. Anyway, I'm Malcom Dean, Mr. Strachan." The doctor shook his head, and turned his attention back to Casey. "Do you know you've been out since 9:50 last night?"
Less sun came through the tinted windows. There was probably a cloud over the sun. The doctor walked into the shadow.
"You weren't injured too badly, all things considered. I saw the video, by the way, and you really took that hit well."
"Yeah. I probably need to work on dodging though."
"You should. You really stressed your nodes and your mana routes too. Your father told me he already told you not to do too much, because you had a breakthrough, right?" He gave Casey a scrutinizing look. "You know you consolidate your nodes at an unusual pace?"
"I do?" Casey touched his chest and flinched, and then smiled. 'It could be quicker.'
"It isn't a surprise that you're sore, either. Some people would need a long recovery if they did what you did, last night." He changed the topic. "Old Providence really lacks infrastructure and support. This whole place only has, what? Two blue cops? It's an embarrassment, really."
"Well at least no one got hurt."
"Aren't you lying in a hospital bed?"
The sun came back and showed Malcolm's smile. He shook his head and Casey saw the professionalism arrive on his face, again.
"You don't show any signs of having a concussion. Last night, I also checked for broken bones. Those were good, too. But your hands will be numb and of course the node in your chest will be sore. These are common signs of node strain for those particular areas. I'd like to know, how educated are you on these matters?"
"I think I'm good with common knowledge. Like application of mana, and volume of mana usage. It's just that that creature pushed me. After that thing spoke I knew I couldn't leave it alone. And I had to push."
"I agree with you. I can't broach that subject with you, but just know you did something excellent."
"But I saw it do something too."
He smiled again. "Please ask your dad."
He turned to Rico. "It's your turn."
......….
Outside of the building was painted a darker grey than its interior. There were trees placed near it. They were full; swaying with the wind.
Rico had been held back by Malcolm, who seemed excited about something. Something that hadn't excited Rico at all.
John arrived. He'd been more withdrawn than usual. He'd talked to Malcolm, like he usually would, but without his usual spirit, and smile. Casey felt it. His father was worried about him. They walked in silence. Casey walked with a limp.
There hadn't been anything else he could do. Had he really done something wrong, though?
The path out of the remote place was made of dark blue, grey stones. The weather was alright. A few clouds rolled their shadows over them.
"Dad, I didn't think it'd be this bad." He said, finally confronting his father. It was hard to look him in the face. He didn't want to see disappointment there. His father offered a weak smile.
"Case I'm alright. It's hard to say this, but I'm just disappointed in myself."
They'd reached the end of the path. Which led to a lot with only two vehicles. It was covered in pea rocks. The larger ones that would last very long. They crunched under the heavy men.
They made it to Casey's truck. He had had it cleaned yesterday so it shined in spots where the light had slipped through the clouds. They left the lot in silence. It took a long distance of road for John to gather his words.
"I'm starting your training when you're all healed up."
"But you already trained me."
The trees were overlapping around their vehicle. This area was less refined. Apparently the doctor had built his clinic out in the woods. Tree shadows only touched the truck before evening light broke them apart.
"You'll see the difference."
......
Casey's room had contrasted his harshly. The beds were white. The walls, and the window sills, were a painful white to look at.
Rico scowled at the doctor. "This is the sixth examine. When are you gonna let me leave?"
Malcolm scowled right back. "Rico, this is for your own good. I'm doing something to help you, so just cooperate."
"Then why are you smiling?"