hbisc2

Take me to him.

Y-You'll do it? Than—

No time to talk, let's go.

(Anguished moaning)

Doktor, will my father—

I performed some basic treatment to stabilize his condition. He's out of danger for now. Let him sleep.

Will he get better?

I can't give you any false hope.

But why...?

As is the case with many others in the Afterglow, your father's condition is a type of 'false recovery.'

The body draws on undamaged organs to fill in for functions that have been damaged, but this is only a stop-gap measure.

Your father is now undergoing the rebound that follows a false recovery. His age only compounds the rapid onset of Oripathy symptoms.

I remember you saying something to the effect.

It's all my fault. If only I had...

There's no point regretting the past. The important thing is to take care of your father now.

Pay careful attention to his diet, his sleep cycle, and keep his bodily functions in balance. Care is more important than treatment right now.

Alright, I'll do it.

And Dr. Hibiscus... I, I'm sorry about—

Are you there, Hibiscus?

Something's not right. We need to—

Don't disturb the patient. We'll talk outside.

What's going on?

A dozen patients came into the office right after you left. Some had suddenly lost consciousness, while others experienced a rapid deterioration in vitals.

Other patients are also coming in with various symptoms, but we haven't been able to determine if they are Oripathy-related.

Mr. Schneider's father was not an isolated case. Many patients who had recovered abnormally are entering the rebound stage.

Rhodes Island alone can't take in everyone. Have you asked if the other hospitals can accept patients, or deliver the medicine that we ordered?

I have, but they keep finding excuses. And they said...

They needed to ensure sufficient medical supplies for the Cliffy Patio.

How could they be so irresponsible!

Hang in there, Andante. I'm coming back—

Calm down, Hibiscus.

People are restless right now, and there are many who believe the rumors. This is not the time to show your face.

But I can't—

...You're right.

Could you take care of things at the office, Andante?

Of course. I haven't spent all this time in the Afterglow for nothing.

I'll help!

But your father...

The neighbors can care for him for a while. You're short-handed, aren't you?

I can help. Anything you need.

Alright, this is the list of patients who recovered abnormally.

You know the Afterglow. Check the list and bring the patients who have deteriorated quickly to the office for intensive care.

Got it!

I'll take care of the hospitals.

I'll convince them.

Doktor! Help me!

I wanna go home...

The room is packed with several times the normal number of patients.

There is a sickly smell in the air, which is filled with the sounds of crying and moaning.

Ugh, what's this smell... I have the patients, Dr. Andante.

There are too many of them. It's far more than the number of abnormal recoveries we recorded.

We have our hands full with the cross-infection risk alone.

You're right. Panic may be even more dangerous than the disease.

The patients don't know their own situations. Whether they're experiencing the rebound or not, Oripathy sufferers believe that their condition is being caused by some unknown threat.

The first priority is to identify the cause of the symptoms, and deal with it individually.

Patients in the rebound stage experience a rapid decline in bodily functions. In the absence of blood tests, body temperature is the most direct sympt—

Hibiscus! Are you alright over there?

I... I'm fine.

Take care of the office, Andante.

I'll get the medicine.

Alright, be careful!

Is this the troublemaker?

This is private property, Fräulein. Even members of other medical institutions require permission to enter.

This is your last warning. Leave now.

I didn't come to interrupt the work of a fellow medical professional.

But how could you talk about not having enough supplies or beds, when a single flu patient could take up enough space for ten people?

We make our decisions based on each patient's unique circumstances...

S-She's the prophesied devil, isn't she?

Help! Somebody! Get this Sarkaz out of my room!

If I really were the prophesied devil, do you think there's anyone here who could help you?

Eeek—

No sudden moves!

A dozen wands are aimed at Hibiscus.

Please don't threaten our patients.

I'm not threatening anyone. I'm just reminding you, as a fellow doctor, of your moral obligations.

The people of the Afterglow are in serious trouble. I only ask that you provide the necessary medicine to the Rhodes Island branch office and take in a number of patients, in accordance with our agreement.

Am I asking too much?

Why would I listen to a suspicious foreigner? Everyone knows about the prophecy.

I'm not wasting my time with her. Remove her from the premises, officer.

Fine, call me a devil, then.

Do you remember what the prophecy that you put so much stock in says?

'The Blood hides Plague within, slow beckons Death to creep all Ways.' Where do you think things stand with the Afterglow right now?

The prophesied devil stands before you. Take me in, or chase me out. Do whatever you think will protect you.

And we'll see how high and mighty the Cliffy Patio fares, when calamity strikes.

Mr. Karl—temperatures normal, small increase in blood Originium levels.

Mrs. Marta—temperatures normal, blood Originium levels normal.

Too many files... too much equipment... I, I can't carry any more...

No more health food... I need meat...

Looks like she didn't have the time to eat today. She's dreaming about food.

Hey, Andante, you're drooling.

Dr. Hibiscus... you're still up?

Just filing some patient data. It's not easy for me to go out during the day, so I have to make it up at night.

Thanks for helping out today. You should go home.

I... I'll stay here. Here's some water for you.

Thank you.

Hibiscus reaches out to take the bottle, but it slips from her hand and rolls across the floor.

Sorry... I'll get it.

Are you okay?

I'm fine. Just careless.

Ambulances came this afternoon, not long after you left. How did you persuade them?