Face the Morning Sun

 I never thought the day would ever come. Night turns to day, and with it a whole new range of emotions. Today's spotlight is shining on total indifference! I am night and day, black and white, from a once raging inferno to solid ice. And my ice is dangerous for everyone. 

My mind goes back to hot freshly ground coffee and roaring flames from the grate, and your heart.

But indifference quells the flames. 

The fire is out?

Almost, almost entirely. However there remains some smoke from the smouldering ashes.

Smoke can resurrect back to flames.

Unless you let it sputter out. 

And did you put on some more wood?

No. Why should I? Why didn't you? I am cold. And happy to remain so.

I can't drink the coffee in here.

Take a cup of squash. It's grape today, not too bad and quite sweet. Still disgusting though if I'm honest.

And when the puzzle is solved, where are we?

We are on the river, with the ferryman, do we return to an unknown land or stay on the boat?

I'm going to stay on the boat for a while. On our own personal River Styx.

And live between the living and the dead? What if you fall in?

I will attempt to swim to the other side. But if I make it, I will have to wait until I am reborn into another body. However my soul will remain the same.

I will find you again?

Maybe. You found me this time. Only next time, remember to bring your matches and leave behind your mask.

I don't recognize you, which mask are you wearing?

The mask of the stranger.

Dr Jimmy's eye's were burning, he couldn't wipe away the constant watering due to the restraints on his wrists. How long had he been here? He couldn't remember. His neck was itching... And then he remembered in a slow motionlike video replay his last night in Riker's. The bedsheet on the metal frame of the empty bunk above his. It was supposed to end there. Why was he now here? He recognised the male nurse taking notes.

Morning Dr Jimmy. We need to start bringing you back to the land of the living.

The land of the living dead you mean! Adam, untie my hands, you know I don't need to be restrained! I'm a Doctor for chrissakes!

Sorry boss, no can do. Care for some squash? It's grape today.

Stick it up your ass!

Have a nice day Dr Jimmy. Oh, I almost forgot.. I need to take a swab from you.

A swab for what?

For our records, we need your DNA. It wasn't done earlier, some admin error.

I refuse! You Incompetent fool! How dare you!

Yes it was a mistake while booking you in apparently, but no worries, I have your back. Open wide.

My DNA won't prove a damn thing!

It may prove your innocence though, no?

Please don't take the journey alone, I will come with you.

Some journey's must be made alone. 

You're not strong enough for this.

I'm stronger alone, you sap my strength, I can feed my own energy but you are like a monkey on my back that drains me.

You are so vulnerable.

I may look it, but please know this, it's just another one of my masks.

In the chaotic hospital room, the sound of screaming filled the air as Adam Chandler tried to calm down Dr Jimmy who was now totally immobilised and forced to submit to the DNA test. Despite his best efforts, he felt powerless to subdue the rage in the face of the Jimmy's fear and anger. As the test was finally completed, Adam couldn't help but wonder about the secrets that the results would reveal, and the impact they would have on this patient's life. What had led to this? A seemingly respectful professional and family man being forced to submit to these tests. What had happened at Riker's that had brought him here? Sure, Dr Jimmy had always been an arrogant prick, but what was going on? Everyone knew about the alleged rapes, but what else was he hiding?