Gerhard was shocked at just how little that hurt. Thea had kicked him, that much he knew. The blog had smashed right into his neck, just underneath his jaw. A second kick glanced off of his shoulder, hitting right against his collarbone. Both were fierce blows, but... the force from them seemed diminished, some how. Regardless, both kicks were enough to push him back on his butt, and into the dirt of the desert.<br/><br/>He lay there for a bit, trying to think things through. It was pitch black dark. He couldn't even see the breath that once floated, mist-like, in front of his face. "Hmm..." He cleared his throat, "Ms. Theadora, did that seem right to you? I can't put my finger on it, but something seems different. My limbs. They feel heavy, I suppose. I don't know about you, but I can not see a thing in this dark."<br/><br/>He stood up and listened, but there was only silence. "If you've abandoned me and gone inside, then I guess I am talking to no one. But, if you are still there, could you please lead me inside the tent? I'm afraid I need your help with this one." Gerhard stuck his left hand out at a completely arbitrary angle, for he was ready to feel his way down on his hands and knees to get back inside. In doing so, however, he immediately groped the same fleshy place that had brought down the ferocity of her two kicks in the first place.<br/><br/>"The boob again? Well, what are the odds?" This time Gerhard ducked.<br/><br/>* * *<br/><br/>Morning had been slow to come, but at long last the first rays of the sun crept over the long baked clay of the desert. Gerhard had slept lightly, sometimes tossing left, other times tossing right, on the small cot that had been provided for him. Finally, when he could stand it no longer, he jumped up from the cot, swinging his legs around him, and surveyed his surroundings.<br/><br/>A mirror pane hung from one of the pvc pipes via yellow corded rope. It slowly turned around in the air, producing a slight creaking sound. As it did so, Gerhard's reflection slowly turned to face him. He face and neck was deep purple, almost black with a large bruise. Apparently, Thea's kicks had left their mark. Yet it was strange. The bruises did not hurt. He probed their swollen flesh with the tips of his fingers, expecting to find the sting of pain, but found nothing.<br/><br/>It was as though the bruises were simply regular skin. He stood to get his bearings, but immediately found his balance was changed. His whole body felt heavy, as though his muscles had to work harder to get his bones to cooperate. He could do it, of course, but the sensation was... odd. He walked out the corridor where his room was located, and saw that most of the camp was still asleep. It was still very early in the morning. The whole camp was fast asleep.<br/><br/>Nevertheless, Gerhard walked down the hall, and eventually came to the cafeteria. The sun was starting to peep over the horizon, and would bask the desert in its glow soon enough. He was ducked underneath the heavy wool blanket doors, only to find Dr. Amato sitting at one of the tables, stirring a spoon into a porcelain mug of piping hot coffee.<br/><br/>Gerhard walked over and pulled himself a seat. "Good Morning, Doctor." Gerhard said. The two of them sat in silence, neither wishing to break the silence.