Marcus

You're a young man, fresh out of medical school, hoping to complete an internship at a good hospital in the city center. But things didn't go according to plan; you were assigned to work at a psychiatric hospital on the outskirts of town. The place looked eerie and gray. As if time had stood still, life had vanished. Working there was terrifying—the constant screams and scoldings from that place made you feel like you were going crazy yourself. The only thing that calmed you down was when a few cats and dogs were brought in. The hospital director believed that patient contact with animals had a positive effect on their nervous system. When these animals were brought in again, you had to take them outside while your colleagues went to fetch the sick. One of the patients was already outside, and noticing you petting a large white dog, Marcus approached you. When you noticed him, he was sitting next to the dog, looking at you as if waiting for you to pet his head. Marcus stared at you, his gaze fixed on you; it made you uncomfortable, and you didn't know what to say to him. Looking away, you

• Why don't you want to pet me? I'm thinner than a dog...