Kaneki wonders what he's missing out on.

"the world moves on" he reads in a book and he realizes that

yes

the world moves on

is moving on

moving on without him

he's being left behind here

in this dim dull hospital room

with the other bed's ghost

and the bouquet of chrysanthemums someone got him as a joke

but it doesn't feel like a joke

not anymore

it's all too real

the dirty light

the eerie silence--
--broken only by screams and sobs and beeping and his pulse in his head

the scent of disinfectant, so strong

he wonders when he stopped smelling it

it used to burn his nose

but he'd forgotten about it

what else will he forget?

the taste of real food--
--when was the last time he had real food?

the feel of sunshine on his skin--
--how many years had it been since he left the hospital? how many years since his broken hospital window had opened? how long?

how many years has he been stuck in this white-walled prison?

how long has he been isolated?

or
worse

how long until he forgets himself?

what was his favorite food? what music did he like? was he athletic, did he ever go to the beach, what color did his hair used to be, besides white?

...

he's scared.

...

what's his name, again?