"My name is Erik," he replies, and though he had considered adding a touch of extra suffering to his voice—likely it was dehydration gave him that idea, silly as it is—ultimately he does not. Neither does he lie: "I was in a jet crash before I woke up here in this room. Please, I think I need medical attention."

It occurs to him now that his eyelids are heavy with fatigue, and so he closes them while he can spare the time.