"I need bandages… and some medicine… ugh, where is it…"
I looked around for medical supplies that I knew this shop kept. I had gotten myself hurt playing around in this shop during my childhood and had been patched up by the shopkeeper a few times.
Following my memories, I pulled out some strong medicine and other tools and began to patch up the person.
Even though I was a psychiatrist, I was still someone who had passed his medical degree. I did know how to provide general treatment, even during such a situation, and I used my knowledge to my advantage.
I cleaned up the wound, stitched up the wound that looked too deep, and bandaged the patient up.
Once I did everything I could for the man laying on the makeshift bed, I went outside and picked up my items.
It was too late by the time I brought things inside, and the lack of electricity made it impossible for me to see around.
So I found a candle to light and used the pantry as a makeshift kitchen to cook dinner.
I made just enough to feed myself and my patient (if he were to wake up). Cooking any more felt like a useless endeavour since I did not have a fridge to store the leftover food.
Dinner felt heavy and I finally walked out to the store to sort my thoughts out. The poor candle was on its last life as well, and soon, I would be submerged in darkness once more.
I still had no idea how I ended up in my current situation… or what even my current situation was. I just knew that I could no longer consider my current situation as a dream.
"I should go to sleep for now. The more I try to think about it, the more I will likely lose sleep over it."
I reminded myself as I forced myself to go to my bed. No sooner had my head touched the pillow, I felt another presence in the room with me.
When I concentrated, I could even hear footsteps walking toward me. I waited for them to come closer before I picked up whatever I could and threw it toward the door.
"Ugh—wait, I am not an enemy… nor am I here to kill you. I want to thank you for your help. You saved my life."
The voice told me and from years of experience, I could tell that the person sounded genuinely grateful toward me.
That made me calm down and put the book I had picked up back down.
"I see. In that case, please head back downstairs. I will come in a few minutes."
I told that person and waited until I could not hear those footsteps anymore. Only then did I relax and bring out another matchbox and candle.
Others might have called me a fool for daring to go down when a likely criminal was in my shop. But even if I did not go down, there was little I could do to stop that man if he wanted to kill me.
I had impulsively made the decision to save that unknown man, so I needed to man up and accept my fate.
My candle lightened up the way for me and I quickly headed downstairs to take a look at the man sitting on the sofa.
The muscular frame of the man in front of me tensed as he sensed me heading his way. But he did not even turn to look toward me. I sighed in relief as I approached him and the man almost stood up.
"Don't get up. I spent some time patching you up and the only reason you are not feeling pain at the moment is because of the painkillers I gave you."
I told the man and he sat back down.
"Ah—! Thank you for that, doctor. I have to admit that I feel much better now. Can I ask you what the painkillers you gave me were? Nothing I have ever taken has worked even close to what I took."
The man told me and I contemplated on how to answer him.
After all, the current time frame of the world around me looked to be closer to old times… maybe even before the steampunk era or the time when electricity got invented.
Of course, medicine was not advanced here either.
But the medicine I had used on this man had come from the future. More specifically—from my time.
'How weird. How did something from my time end up in this shop… no, that's not the important question. This shop initially existed during modern times as well. I am sure there is some connection between it and modern times. I wonder if I can use it to go back… or maybe bring back…'
I wondered and my mind started to drift.
Cough
"Anyway, doctor. I am beyond grateful that you decided to help me. I thought I would die when that thief decided to gut me… ugh, I still need to chase after that thief and retrieve that treasure…"
The man tried to get up but I poked his injury and he collapsed.
"I told you already that you are not healed. Do not try to overdo or you will end up back at my doorstep. For now, rest and recover. As for the medicine… it was a special blend that I… acquired from somewhere. It is not currently for sale."
I firmly told the officer and his face fell.
"Ah, I see. So that's it. I should have guessed that something that great won't be for sale at the moment… Anyway, I should leave now. If you change your mind about selling the medicine, tell me. I will pay a lot for it."
The older male promised me before he tried to get up.
But due to the injury, he was not able to get very far. He also looked drained and as a doctor, I knew what I had to do.
"You—! Stay the night. As a doctor, it would be unprofessional of me to allow you to head out when you are injured. You can leave in the morning."
I told the older injured man and he looked taken aback.
But then, he likely decided that I was right and he settled back down.
"Alright, I understand. Then, please pardon my presence in your shop. I will leave once I gather enough strength to."
The man told me and I nodded.
I went to the pantry and brought out some food and more painkillers for him.
"Here, have some food and take the medicine if you feel like you can no longer stand your pain. I will head to sleep now. Ah, before I head out, can I know your name?"
I asked the man and he looked taken aback.
"You want to know my name? Well, sure. My name is Henry Beckerman. If you ever need anything, just come to the police station and tell them my name. The police will help you out."
The older male promised and those words reassured me that I was not about to die today.
Now feeling reassured, I went back to bed and closed my eyes with a single hope— that I would be able to open my eyes tomorrow.