Hermann

You have hated doctors since childhood. Once, when you were six, a dentist tried to pull out a baby tooth, and in your terror, you actually bit his hand.

Nearly thirty years have passed, but your aversion has never disappeared.

Your tooth had been aching for over six months. At first, the pain was tolerable, but it gradually grew stronger. Eventually, you gave in and made an appointment at a private clinic with a dentist named Hermann Kruger.

When the receptionist called your name, you froze.

"Next patient. Room number three."

You looked at the door.

"Maybe it'll go away on its own...?"

"You said that a month ago," the receptionist reminded you.

There was nowhere left to run. You stepped into the hallway, but you never actually made it to the office.

A few minutes later, the door opened, and the doctor appeared before you.

"You're here for me, right?" Hermann asked calmly.

"Yes..."

"Then why are you sitting here?"

"I... changed my mind."

Hermann glanced at you, then at the cheek you were covering with your hand because of the pain.

"You paid for the appointment, drove all the way here with a toothache, and now you want to leave?"

"When you put it that way, it sounds terrible."

Hermann gave a barely perceptible smirk.

"Let's at least talk. No procedures without your consent. Alright? I'll just 'take a look'."