It was a grim question coming from a doctor. However, the man on the ground could only watch him with terror in his eyes. Rhodes lightly bent down and offered his hand. "Can you get up? I would have called for help, but cell reception's out in this area."
"What are you? Why do you have chains coming out of you?" The man barely moved, but he couldn't fight the pain. "I can't… My legs won't move."
Rhodes kneeled and lifted the man's shirt to gauge the injury. However, since the knife vanished with the dream space, he figured the wound wouldn't materialize. "You're not bleeding, but that knife must have paralyzed you waist-down. Let's wait for a bit. Your body will soon realize it's not physically hurt."
The man looked at Rhodes, glancing at the dislocated shoulder. "But your shoulder popped off for real! How could I not be paralyzed for life?"
Rhodes glanced at the man as he sat down. "I don't have the words to explain it. Let's just say her actions won't take effect outside her dream space. Mine is a different story because I'm not yet dead."
"Dream space? What are you talking about?" The man groaned in confusion.
However, Rhodes only patted the man's head and caressed it as if lulling the man to sleep. The doctor whispered, "Should I have reacted like this? I don't want to scream at Vanya's face, though. My shoulder should feel better enough after a few minutes. If a theater operates nearby, other shops should be open. I'll look for help later."
Ping! Rhodes heard his phone receive a notification. It was fairly impossible since he didn't have cell service or internet at this place. He carefully took it out of his back pocket and saw a message from an unknown sender.
[I'll call them over. You've done well, dear.]
"Bastard, you're still awake? Why aren't you sleeping yet?" Rhodes laughed, confusing the other man. He locked the phone and placed it on his lap. He turned to the confused man. "Just wait with me for a few minutes. Someone already called for help."
"…Kurt…" the man murmured, "In case they ask, my name is Kurt. How about you? What's your name? You saved me so… I thought I should at least know yours."
"Rhodes. Don't call me 'doctor'. My license is suspended." Rhodes chuckled when the man's eyes grew wide. This man's imagination was too wild, and it amused Rhodes for a few seconds.
It took thirty minutes before more people came to the scene. None of them were rescuers; rescuers were also too far to be dispatched to Menorosa. As for the hospital in the new district, the people in the old district rarely relied on it.
The woman leading them stepped closer, glancing at the abstract blood painting on the wall. She looked down at the two men looking at her. She said, "A spirit led us here. Do you need help?"
"Just a few painkillers. His pain is too high for his body to move. My arm is also killing me." Rhodes slowly got to his feet. "Sorry for the sudden call. I would have used my phone, but there's no cell reception. Can you help us?"
"We brought our first aid kit, but you might feel better resting in the theater. Do you mind following us?" The woman looked at both men intently. Rhodes didn't like the weight of her stare. It was too hostile for a stranger to have.
Rhodes nodded and watched another woman come closer to him. She handed him a packet of painkillers and a bottle of water. Then she retreated like they were in a hostile situation. Their actions completely bewildered the doctor. However, he just dropped it and carefully used his aching hand to give pills to the other man. As for the water bottle, he did his best to open it.
An apparition of a hand reached down and held the bottle for Rhodes. Instead of getting freaked out, Rhodes paused a bit and laughed. He twisted the bottle cap. "Dammit, Vanya. Can they see you? You're making us suspicious."
["I don't trust them enough. I just know you're looking for them."]
"Quit being a ghost. I need medical attention." Rhodes chuckled, terrifying the people around him. However, Kurt still drank the water.
"Are you talking to the entity?" the supposed leader gasped. She looked around, but her eyes could only offer a strange mist faintly covering the scene. "Its dream space can infringe on other entities' territories? How powerful can it be?"
Rhodes glanced at them, capping the water bottle slowly. He could tell them that Vanya was a human, but he had no proof. Moreover, they could feel him while he hovered in the spiritual realm. Rhodes figured it should be like this now that Vanya was not showing himself. Taking on a form would strain him further. It was easier for him to act like an omniscient being.
The doctor got to his knee after swallowing the painkillers dry. He faced the group of five people. The males were wary of him while the women stared right at his face. Rhodes reached into his pocket and took out his wallet. He fished for the black calling card and flipped it to face them.
"Vanya called you from the theater. Do you recognize this? I don't mean you any harm." Rhodes watched the leader step closer toward him. "I just want to talk to your director."
"You're a dedicated doctor." The woman leading them snatched the calling card without breaking eye contact with him. "Why would you get invited to come? Where did you snatch this calling card from? People like you have no place in the club."
Rhodes stared at the woman who fearlessly stood before him. She was also tall enough for Rhodes not to look down at. Their eyes connected, and he could only feel rage and fury channeling from her gaze. If he didn't know better, he would have shoved the woman away. He could also prepare himself to get attacked by a human next.
However, Rhodes was not a pushover. He might be a lunatic to trust dangerous people, but he barely buckled. He lifted his chin and coldly gazed at the woman. "I have my own place. I only need to speak with your director. You can enjoy your club for yourselves."
"Acacia, Director said she is expecting a guest soon. Maybe, we should walk him to the theater." The other female reached out to pull Acacia away from the scary man.
"Is that right?" Acacia huffed and clicked her tongue. "I'm keeping my eyes on you, doctor. None of us are crazy, but if you insinuate something similar, I will show you the crazy you're looking for."
Rhodes's brow lifted. "Stop threatening me. Do I look scared of you?"