"That's what we had access to back home. That was my dad's avenue of research. Obviously, there are other options here worth exploring. I've got a few irons in the fire trying to cure it, or at least stop it from getting worse."

One of those irons is Josh, actually. That's what happens when someone advertises their healing powers online.

He glances around, thankful that the cafe is busy enough that no one is paying their table much attention. Satisfied no one besides the man across from him will see, he pulls aside the popped collar of his jacket, showing the deformed patch of greenish, scaly skin.

"That's the biggest issue right now. That, and my hand shakes when I'm stressed."