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[equal_shots]

This is Kid. Please leave a message and I will get back to you.

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[equal_shots]

[There's a long pause, before finally:]

Professor Stein, please--

[Now there isn't a hint of the defiant teen, who was trying to suggest that he didn't know how Stein could get to him. Kid is just desperate to not be told to just sit and wait, to hope that Stein is able to travel without getting injured or worse. Stein's instruction to stay put scares him. He doesn't want to be alone, not anymore.]

[circumsutus]

Dammit. Fine. Don't go too far, head south from the school until you reach the first houses, and then head directly east. Keep moving, but move slowly. I just died for you, I don't want you dying now.

[His speech is that same just-slightly-too-fast speed that it's been for weeks, but there's something in the tone that's less guarded than even his manic ramblings have been. He's frustrated, and worried, and not joking about wanting to keep Kid alive.

(He also doesn't generally curse in front of his students.)]

Is anyone with you?

[equal_shots]

[Well, that does settle Kid's relatively quiet concern that Stein had allowed himself to be killed for his sake. At least it's now abundantly clear that it's his fault!

The revelation does not do much for his already-poor morale. He's grateful for the feed being only voice.]

...no. I have been traveling alone.

[circumsutus]

You haven't met up with anyone since I died? I need a physical status update from you, now.

[equal_shots]

You asked if I was traveling alone. [Kid coughs, and it's the same cough that he'd had when Stein died, if not worse. It's probably right for Stein to be worried, but Kid should get at least some extra points for effort.]

I met up with Zell, Jim, Kunsel and Zach right after. We split up. [He runs his fingers through his hair nervously and chews on his lip.] The...coughing and fever is no better, and has made it difficult to eat and to sleep. But I have minded your instructions the best that I can.

[That doesn't mean he wouldn't still describe his physical status as "fair" at best, but...he's trying.]

[circumsutus]

When did you last eat, and how much?

[equal_shots]

Before sleeping. A milk box and an apple. [And before Stein can scold him, Kid hastily adds:] --that has been about the most I can, at one time.

[He is trying so hard, Stein.]

[circumsutus]

All right. Try and get as much variety as possible. I'll look for food as I travel and I'll make a plan for you if this happens again. Have you been sleeping regularly?

[He knows Kid has been trying, but he also knows it probably hasn't been enough.]

[equal_shots]

[Stein can probably picture the sinking shoulders with this response, even though the feed is on voice. He'll save him the trouble:]

...not as much as you would prefer.

[circumsutus]

It's not about what I prefer, Kid. It's about what is going to keep you alive and sane.

[equal_shots]

[Kid swallows.]

I am sleeping enough to ensure I remain alive. It simply is not a lot. [And he did choose to leave out "sane".]

[circumsutus]

Humans at your developmental level need eight hours of sleep a night. [There's just the slightest emphasis on the number, enough to draw attention to it. Kid needs eight right now.]

[equal_shots]

Eight hours is ideal, of course, but if one cannot achieve eight hours of total rest then the exercise is pointless as one is left with seven hours and--

[Kid stops, hesitating. Obviously not the point. Also, he happens to have information to share with the older physician.]

...more importantly, your information is not entirely correct. Humans require slightly more sleep than this. I looked it up when Liz and Patti started living at Gallows and Patti insisted upon staying up all night. The most appropriate amount of sleep is anywhere from seven to eleven hours. [And you can hear him cringe saying it. Bet your smoking butt he looked it up, too. Probably had a literature review for Patti and everything.]

[circumsutus]

Try for eight hours, Kid.