The Shadow In The Hospital

for the future. Now, he was a man tra

of it," Dr. Graham said, handing hi

him sent an uneasy chill down his spine. Something about the doctor's demeanor

rawled his

the counter," Dr. Graham added before stormi

For a fleeting moment, the door remained slightly ajar, revealing a dimly lit hallway beyond. Walker swore he

efinitely wrong

ike a vice. The nurse on duty-a young woman with sharp eyes-barely acknowledged him

for earlier," he murmure

e desk in a slow, deliberate rhythm. The sound echoed in h

d it up without breaking eye contact. "Yes," she said into the

then turned back to him with a s

d sweetly, "a nurse wi

her demeanor rattled him. Had he imagined the hostility from before? Or

and the machines hummed steadily, filling the space with an

ething cau

, he saw a man-a hospital staff member-walk into his wi

reath

ne enter. He

peek inside. The only thing out of place was a small, black objec

the cold surface. Engraved along the side was

h was in

w what it meant, but he was sure of one thing-some

t the other patients. The anxious husband pacing back and forth. The elderly man

mething

faltering. The old man hadn't turned a page in five min

they were planted there, playing their

d open, breaki

r?" A soft

g. Unlike the others, she radiated warmth. "I'

ce. He followed her down a quiet hallw

xpression shifted. The warmth drained from h

ward the door as if making sure they weren't being watc

t pounded. "Wh

stions," she said. "Dr.

my wife to another h

be easy. And if they find out you're plannin

forward. "What

e so quiet it was barely audibl

spread th

ed a blank prescription pad, scribbled something

nstructed. "Read thi

professional mask back in place. "Your wife is receiving excellent car

d slipped it into his po

ring on the edge of something far m

g that he had just crossed a l