Klaus is breathing hard. His knee is gushing blood and full of pain, pain, pain. His shoulder wound has started to ooze again in synchrony with the one on his side. Ben draws close and angles himself to look up into Klaus's face.
"Well done, Klaus. Think you can try again, and we can get you out of the tape?"
Klaus nods tiredly and squeezes his eyes shut, clenching his fists at his sides. Nothing happens for a tick until his hands are suddenly bathed in blue. Ben drops to the ground, snatches up the switchblade, and cuts Klaus's binds quickly before fading out again and dropping the blade on the ground. Klaus doubles over in the chair but straightens back up when his new position grinds his ribs together uncomfortably.
Klaus slowly tries to stand, keeping his hands against the chair for support. Everything hurts. That's an understatement, but it's the truth. He is gasping, struggling to get air into his damaged body. Klaus's hands slid a little in the blood coating the wood when he applies pressure to the chair. As soon as he manages to stand, Klaus yelps and shifts all his weight to his right leg. He hisses as he leans over and grabs the knife Ben dropped and plops down on the bed.
"What are you doing?" Ben asks.
"What does it look like, mi hermano?"
Klaus shoves the duvet off the bed and pulls the white top sheet towards himself.
"I need to stop the bleeding somehow."
Klaus slices the knife through the fabric, jerking and gasping at the motion. He holds a hand over his ribs. He takes the first strip and wraps it around his leg and knee a few times before tying it off and straightening up. A second strip goes around his ribcage. Klaus looks up at Ben with a grimace.
"Let's get out of here. I know a much cooler place with better room service."
A little smile creeps onto Ben's face.
Klaus turns to look at the door, only to notice that it has been half-ripped off its hinges. Klaus turns back to Ben and jabs a finger in the direction of the door.
"Did your little friends do that?"
"I- I don't think so." Ben looks confused.
Klaus turns to look at the ghost standing by the door, an older lady who looks like she should be feeding cats or knitting a sweater, for her cat. The ghost just blinks back. Ben follows his gaze towards the other apparition. A smile flickers onto Klaus's face.
"Janet! You did this, didn't you? Ben, she's taking after your pet octopus."
Ben scoffs and rolls his eyes.
"Let's get this party rolling." Klaus says as he awkwardly starts to rise.
He hobbles to the open doorway, scrunching his nose and making faces with each step. At the door jam, he stops and salutes "Janet" before stepping out the door. Klaus takes a deep breath to absorb the free air he did not think he would experience again. He drags his hand across the rough exterior of the motel, keeping his balance as he puts all his weight on his right leg. He enjoys the nippy feeling of the spring air and savors the light breeze over his burned skin. The positive sensations are not enough to drown out the overwhelming sense of pain, but it is appreciated all the same. He doesn't think he will take the sun for granted again. Evidently, he will one day. But for the moment, the pleasant warmth on his skin mixing with the breeze is better than any narcotic.