Incompatible

The results are out but Changbin doesn’t speak immediately.

He just stares at the scan. Then he looks at Felix.

Like he’s trying to understand something that doesn’t make sense.

Felix shifts slightly.

Felix: Um …Hyung? What does it say?

Changbin: (exhales) How long have you known him?

Felix blinks.

Felix: Two… maybe three hours?

Why?

Changbin:(narrows his eyes) When you met him...did he look injured? Like he had been in an accident?

Felix: (shakes his head) No. He looked… normal.

Just confused.

He asked who I was.

I.N shifts uncomfortably.

I.N: Is something wrong?

Changbin finally turns the screen toward them.

Changbin: I’ll be honest with you.

Because anything else wouldn’t match what I’m seeing.

A pause settles in the room. Felix and Innie exchange a look.

Changbin: His brain scan shows signs of severe traumatic injury.

Silence.

Hyunjin’s breath catches.

Hyunjin: (I got hit...that was real, it was so real...I know am not supposed to be alive)

I.N: But… he looks fine. He doesn’t look like someone who’s been hurt.

Hyunjin: (shivers)....

Felix slowly turns toward Hyunjin. Changbin taps the scan lightly.

Changbin: These areas here are overactive. Abnormally so.

He pauses.

Changbin: This is usually seen in patients who’ve had severe head trauma…or oxygen deprivation.

Hyunjin swallows hard. Felix’s hand slowly finds Hyunjin’s and squeezes it slightly. Hyunjin looks down at it, then up at Felix he has that small comforting smile on his face.

Hyunjin: (swallows)....

Changbin: But here’s the strange part. There is no swelling, no bleeding or any structural damage.

He exhales.

Changbin: Physically… his brain is intact. Which should not be possible with these readings.

Silence settles again.

Felix: quietly …Did you have an accident?

Hyunjin hesitates.

Hyunjin: (I’m not sure anymore…this feels like a dream…)

He slowly shakes his head.

Hyunjin: I don't know.

Felix turns back to Changbin.

Felix: okay, this is really confusing... hyung, you must find out what's wrong, at least help the pain stop...

Changbin looks at Hyunjin.

Changbin: Tell me, what happens right before the pain starts?

Hyunjin’s eyes flick to Felix. Then away.

Hyunjin: When I remember...

Changbin: A person?

Hyunjin pauses. Then nods slowly. Felix’s hand tightens slightly around his. and he feels it.

Changbin: (sighs) I suspected that.

He looks at them both.

Changbin: This isn’t a normal headache.

Felix: Then what is it?

Changbin: The brain is protecting itself.

He gestures slightly toward the scan.

Changbin: When memories are too distressing…

or incompatible with the current state of consciousness the brain blocks access.

(pauses.)

Changbin: And when that access is forced…

it reacts as if it’s under threat.

Hyunjin: incompatible…?

Changbin nods.

Changbin: Yes. Your brain is treating certain mmemories assomething it cannot process safely.

Hyunjin’s fingers tremble.

Hyunjin: (So even my own mind…doesn’t want me to remember him.)

A tear slips down his cheek. Felix leans closer immediately.

Felix: Hey… hey. You’re not alone, okay?

Hyunjin looks at him.

Hyunjin: Then why…am I supposed to forget?

Felix hesitates, he doesn’t have an answer for that and it somehow hurts.

Changbin speaks quietly.

Changbin: Forcing those memories will only cause more harm. Hyunjin’s chair scrapes back and he stands.

Felix: Hey...

Hyunjin: I’m leaving.

Felix stands too.

Felix: Where will you go?

Hyunjin stares at the floor, then the wall.

Hyunjin: I don’t know. I’ll just… walk.

And he leaves, silence follows him out. Felix turns slowly to Changbin and finds both him and I.N looking at him with such an obvious expression.

Felix: Come on, I don’t even know him.

Changbin doesn’t answer immediately.

Changbin: With his condition…he won’t survive alone.

Felix: (stiffens) Don’t say that.

Changbin: I’m not guessing, Felix. Something is seriously wrong with him. And until we figure it out he needs someone.

Felix: (sighs) I have work. I can’t just...

Changbin: Then he’ll end up somewhere unsafe or worse.

Silence falls in the room for a brief second. Then Felix exhales sharply.

Felix: I’ll call the police. They’ll handle it.

Changbin: (nods) That’s the right move.

He turns slightly, then adds...

Changbin: Next time…call me before taking in someone like this.

I.N sighs quietly.

I.N: I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.

Felix chuckles and shakes his head.

Felix: I'll leave you two love birds alone

Changbin: we are not...

I.N: Tsk! (walks out)

Changbin: (sighs)...

Felix: (pats Changbin) Take care of him...

Changbin: I should be telling you that.

Felix: Tch! Byee....

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