The conversation was interrupted by the sound of the office doorbell.
Selina paused and looked toward the entrance.
That alone was strange. Nobody ever used the doorbell — anyone who came looking for Daniel usually barged straight in as if the place had no door at all.
The fact that someone had actually rung the bell made this visitor feel unusually normal.
Daniel smiled. "Wow," He stood up from his chair. "My first patient."
He glanced at Harleen and Mera, who were still glaring at each other. "Alright, you two, sit down. A patient comes first. You can continue fighting over me after I'm done."
Both women shot him an annoyed look but neither argued.
Daniel walked to the door and opened it.
A young man stood outside looking exhausted. Dark circles hung beneath his eyes, and he repeatedly scratched the side of his neck as if trying to relieve an itch that wouldn't go away.
Daniel smiled warmly and stepped aside. "Welcome to Daniel Care, where all worries can be healed."
The young man hesitated before walking inside. Daniel led him to one of the chairs in front of his desk, poured him a cup of coffee, and took his own seat.
"So," Daniel said, resting his elbows on the desk, "may I know your name and what brings you here today?"
"My name's Luke," the young man replied. He scratched his neck again and let out a tired sigh. "Lately... I've been having trouble controlling my emotions."
Daniel repeated the name to himself. It felt familiar. He didn't dwell on it.
"When did this start?"
"Three days ago." Luke stared into his coffee. "I took a trip to Gotham, and ever since I came back... something's been wrong."
Daniel's expression became more attentive. "What kind of symptoms?"
Luke was silent for several seconds. When he finally spoke, his voice had dropped noticeably.
"Violent urges. Thoughts about murdering people... torturing them." He clenched his fists.
"They just appear out of nowhere. I know they're wrong. I don't want to think about those things..." He lowered his head. "But every day they keep getting stronger."
"Hmm..." Daniel rested his chin on one hand. "That is definitely strange."
Don't tell me my first patient is going through a psychotic break... or someone's awakening his violent impulses.
Luke lowered his head. "Yeah..."
Then, without any warning —
"Yeah, so fucking strange!"
His expression twisted into pure hatred. The chair screeched across the floor as Luke shot to his feet, reached inside his jacket, pulled out a combat knife, and lunged across the desk.
"Daniel!"
Harleen and Mera shouted at the same time.
"Die, you sissy bastard!" Luke roared, driving the knife straight toward Daniel's chest with everything he had.
Daniel didn't move.
Clang.
The blade struck his chest and stopped dead, producing a sharp metallic sound. The impact jolted Luke's arm and nearly knocked the knife from his grip.
"...What?"
He looked at the undamaged blade. Then at Daniel's chest. Not even a scratch.
Daniel slowly lowered his gaze to the knife pressed against him before looking back at Luke. "My turn to ask a question."
His expression remained completely calm. "What exactly is wrong with you?"
Behind him, Harleen and Mera, who had rushed to intervene, froze in place. They had forgotten. This man wasn't easy to kill.
"And judging by that smile," Daniel said, "I'm starting to think this isn't your own madness."
Before Luke could react, Daniel casually swung his hand.
Smack.
The slap echoed through the office. Luke's feet left the floor as he was sent flying across the room, crashing into the wall before dropping heavily onto the ground and scattering a nearby shelf in the process.
Harleen and Mera stared in stunned silence.
Luke slowly pushed himself back to his feet. Instead of fear, a twisted grin spread across his face. "Heh..." Then he laughed. "Yeah... More. More! That's what makes this exciting!"
Daniel sighed. "You know..." He took a slow step forward.
"My uncle's name was Luke. I've always respected that name." He stopped a few feet away. "So don't make me associate it with someone like you."
The moment he finished speaking, Luke's grin faltered.
An overwhelming pressure descended upon the room without warning.
Luke froze. His pupils shrank. It felt as though countless unseen eyes had locked onto him from every direction.
Then came the screams. Not from the office — from somewhere beyond it. Countless voices crying out in agony, filling his ears with endless shrieks of despair.
Luke's body began trembling. He frantically looked around but there was nothing there.
Only Daniel, standing quietly before him. Yet looking into Daniel's eyes felt like staring into an endless abyss filled with death itself. The sensation gripped Luke's soul.
The madness vanished from his eyes as quickly as it had appeared.
His breathing became ragged. He staggered back a step, face turning pale, the crazed grin gone completely. Confusion replaced it.
Luke grabbed his head, eyes darting around the room as though he had just woken from a nightmare.
Daniel quietly observed the change. "Hmm..." He tilted his head slightly. "It seems there's something wrong with your brain."
His gaze lingered on Luke for another moment.
No... not his brain. Something is interfering with his mind.
*****
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