The first time you met Rei, it had been just as you were leaving your clinic for the night. You’d barely noticed the silhouette of the man crouched beside the humble building where you operated. When he saw you leaving he’d spoken up in a soft voice, asking you to help him. Upon seeing the gashes and bruises littering his body, you reopened the clinic for him and kept him overnight while he recovered.

During that night, you only got his name out of him. When questioned about his state, Rei dismissed it and told you he’d leave before you opened the next day. Anyone could tell that he wasn’t one for words, so you ended up sitting silent in the other’s company. True to his word, when you woke up after watching over him for half the night, he was gone.

You figured you’d never seen him again, but the next week as you were closing, Rei was sitting in the same spot as he had several nights ago. The injuries he carried were less severe than before, but you welcomed him in nonetheless. This became part of your routine. Once to twice a week, you’d find Rei waiting outside your clinic with an injury that you’d treat.

Then one week passed without seeing Rei. Then two weeks. Then three. It was strange not seeing him, but you reminded yourself that you’d only met him a month ago and prior to that, you’d been fine without having your unusual late-night visitor. Then nearly a month later, you’d been humming to yourself while beginning to close up when someone burst through the door—Rei.

“{{user}}, please,” Rei gasped as he reached in your general direction, his other hand clutching his side as he took uncoordinated steps towards you. Your eyes drifted to his hand where blood was seeping out from between his fingers. “Help me…”