I insisted that I'd be ok. That it would just hinder my getting to the hospital on time. But no. he said flat out that I wasn't aloud to be alone anymore since I couldn't be trusted. And so that was why I was going to be spending a lot of time at Jeffersons. Thus why I was packing a bag and he was standing behind me making sure I didn't put any questionable items in it. Nothing sharp, shiny, or jagged. It was amusing how the normally carefree if a little psycho Jefferson had his arms crossed and expression stern like an angry mother. All that was missing was him tapping his foot. Maybe a finger shake.

"Ready to go?"

I just threw the bag over my shoulder and headed down the stairs and out the door with him close behind, twirling his keys because he was stressed.

"You do realize that having to drive me to the hospital in the morning every day-"

"Get in the car."

I slipped into the passenger side and he started the car.

"I get called in at odd hours such as when I'm heading home or in the middle of the night-"

"Victor, I know what you're doing and it's not going to work."

"You just were never much of a morning person."

He didn't respond and just continued driving. I turned to look out the window.

"... Do you think people have souls?"

He spared a glance in my direction which I spotted in the window reflection. "What kind of a question is that?"

I shrugged. "Just thinking."

"All you ever do is think. You Overthink." He snorted.

"Still, do you think people have souls?"

"Yes. Don't you?"

"I was thinking that maybe saying one has a soul is just a way to define a presence… What about animals?"

"Animals?"

"Do you think animals have souls?"

"Yes."

"Do you think insects have souls?"

"... Ok you've been spending too much time alone."

"But do you think they have souls?"

"That's kind of a hard one. I never really thought about it."

"So maybe?"

"Maybe."

"Do you think plants have souls?"

"Uh… I think they have Life. I'm not sure they have souls though. Any other weird soul questions?"

"Yes. What do you think makes up a soul?"

"How should I know?"

"Hm… Do you think it's possible to lose one's soul and still be functional?"

"Victor, you have a soul." He sounded slightly irritated now.

"That's not what I asked."

"No, but that's what all that was about."

I was quiet the rest of way to his home. Once there he led me upstairs and to a bedroom. Telling me the 'make yourself at home' welcome he headed back down. I headed down after him after I was as settled as I could possibly be. Following the clink of glass I came to the kitchen. I stopped in the doorway as I watched him pour some rather expensive alcohol down the sink drain.

"What a waste." I walked up and sat at the counter.

"Well I figured if I locked it up you'd find a way to get to it eventually anyway. This is safer."

I didn't bother trying to convince him otherwise. I just watched as each bottles contents drained one at a time. The empty bottles getting set to the side. He then appeared to be counting the bottles before he pulled out a box and started collecting knives and other sharp metal items such as bottle openers.

"Going to pour that down the sink too?" I smirked and that earned me an amused half smile.

"Well at least we know your Wonderful personality is still intact." He returned.

"Che."

He picked up the box and headed out of the room. I stayed at the counter as I figured he wouldn't want me knowing where he was going to put said box. So I just sat and stared at the empty bottles. He must've been counting them so if one vanished he'd know. Just to make sure I didn't try to break it and use the shards I'm sure. However I could just as easily continue my sessions at work. I'd find a way to do what I want. I rose the dead I think I can find a way to play with some metal. I looked up as he reentered the room. Empty handed as expected.

"So I assume you haven't eaten yet?"

Dinner was quiet and neither one of us made a move to start a conversation. It wasn't really that comfortable silence that we had formed over time nor was it extremely awkward. He probably wasn't sure what I was thinking about either that or he didn't want to know since he walked in on one of my sessions. I suppose it was understandable. Everyone was always a little thrown off when one wasn't like the rest of the population. He should be glad I wasn't drowning myself in alcohol anymore, but I just might start that up again if I went too long without a session. I stayed in my own little world as I preferred to be. Just letting my mind wander wherever it pleased. That was how I got my best ideas. Trying to prepare for every kind of situation.

After said silent dinner I spent my time in front of a window. The wood was more or less silent and very dark. Quiet yet peaceful. At least here it was. It kind of reminded me of the never ending dark that was my world of black and white. Sad really. Now that I was familiar with color would I be able to handle going back to that intense dark? Here if there was any uncertainty I could turn on a light and see into every shadow that was. There light did next to nothing. Never reaching into the intense darkness. Never revealing if anything was actually in those shadows or not. Fear never drowned out. Could I handle it now that access to light had softened me?

"Not thinking of running already, are you?"

"Not quite. I was just thinking of how much quieter it is out here."

"Yeah it's always like this. Darker too without lights from the town, but I find it nice."

"You'd think after being stuck out here with no one for so long you'd hate it."

"Now that everyone remembers and I can leave it's not so bad."

"Well you don't have to deal with people out here. Less stress I suppose."

"Well yeah until kids dared to come up here ring the doorbell and run away."

"Trade offs." I shrugged. "Well I should get to bed. See you tomorrow."

"Night." He called as I headed up the stairs.

Back to running back and forth. I suppose I should be thankful I got that quiet night at Jeffersons, but that didn't help me now. The waiting room was pretty packed. Much like yesterday and so many days before. I stopped on the way to check on the patients that were stuck here for an actual reason. I bet I could clear out half the waiting area. That would give me some more time.

"Who here is here for a runny nose and or headache?" I called into the room and several hands went up. "Ok. It's a Cold. Go home and take some cold medicine. The rest of you, someone qualified will see you momentarily."

I went back to my rounds. I bet that lowered my likability. Again. My actions would no doubt spread in such a small, but packed town. Oh well. how much lower could I sink anyway?

I went back to my rounds. By noon I was aching to have another session. So I headed for my office. I stopped when I opened the door. Jefferson was sitting in my chair with a book. He looked up.

"Hey." He grinned.