nie

and fall with shallow breaths, and a faint pulse returned to his wrist. I had been worried that we

e pain and confusion etched on his face. He was bar

up, its tone cold and menacing. "Enough. H

ill obscured by the dim lighting. He approached th

man said, his voice dripping wit

ruggling to focus. He mumbled i

in frustration. "Speak clearly,

with a desperate plea for help. I felt a surge of c

o answer questions. He needs medical attention, now." H

yes flashing with warning. "You'll keep him alive, Do

ble, but I caught the words ".

darkened, his jaw clench

he room grew more ominous. What package was Marcus hidi

me jump. Before any of us could react, the wounded man'

o Marcus's side. "He's gone." He con

rage, his gun still smoking in his

dden turn of events. One moment, Marcus was s

caught my attention. Not a single stain or speck of blood ma

, feeling a wave of nausea wash over me. Dr. Danny handed me a t

the silence. "Stop the bleeding, nurs

ously. "You want me to..

after what I just did. I d

st welling up inside me. "No. I w

ent. "Amusing. Nobody tells me no. Not even Dr. Danny here

s eyes went wide in shock and fear early when the mystery m

an make people disappear. Even the police won't find you. You'l

felt trapped, cau

s barely audible.

ze locked onto mine. "S

nd risk imprisonment, or comply and become an a

choice, nurse

mind racing. W

ly, trying to sound firm desp

mile grew wider. "Very

tightly. Dr. Danny protested, but was silence

ht a glimpse of Dr. Danny's wor

the scent of disinfectant and decay. We stopped at a heavy

a narrow stairway leading into darkness

The door creaked shut behind me, enveloping m

ring like a dry leaf, what have I g

illuminating a cramped, dingy room. A singl

rom the shadows –

e?" he asked, his voice

ying the fear creeping up m

yourself. But know

he vanished into the darkness, leavin

. I have no idea how I'd be able to survive

e, and what's worse, I don't kn