Two days ago, he was a husband excited for the future. Now, he was a man trapped in a hospital filled with secrets.
“Take this form and fill the rest of it,” Dr. Graham said, handing him a clipboard. “And sign here first.” Walker hesitated before taking the pen. The way Dr. Graham’s gaze lingered on him sent an uneasy chill down his spine. Something about the doctor’s demeanor felt too controlled—like he was carefully curating his every word and movement. Walker scrawled his signature. “Once you’re done, submit it to the nurse at the counter,” Dr. Graham added before storming off toward his office without another word. Walker’s gut twisted as he watched him disappear through a restricted door marked AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY. For a fleeting moment, the door remained slightly ajar, revealing a dimly lit hallway beyond. Walker swore he saw someone—a shadowy figure standing just out of sight. But before he could process it, the door clicked shut. Something was definitely wrong with this place. He approached the counter desk, the cool air of the hospital wrapping around him like a vice. The nurse on duty—a young woman with sharp eyes—barely acknowledged him. Her cold stare pierced through him as he grabbed a pen to complete the paperwork. He swallowed. “I’m sorry for earlier,” he murmured. “I was just… worried.” The nurse didn’t respond. Instead, her fingers drummed the desk in a slow, deliberate rhythm. The sound echoed in his ears, oddly methodical, as if she were signaling someone. A sharp ring from the phone cut through the tension. She picked it up without breaking eye contact. “Yes,” she said into the receiver, her voice suddenly devoid of hostility. “Understood.” She set the phone down gently, then turned back to him with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Mr. Walker,” she said sweetly, “a nurse will be with you shortly.” Walker felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. The abrupt shift in her demeanor rattled him. Had he imagined the hostility from before? Or was she playing a role, adjusting her behavior to whoever was watching? He turned toward Elizabeth’s room. The curtains were drawn, and the machines hummed steadily, filling the space with an eerie sense of normalcy. But it was too normal. Too pristine. Then, something caught his eye. In the reflection of a stainless-steel medical cabinet, he saw a man—a hospital staff member—walk into his wife’s room. But when he turned around, the room was empty. His breath hitched. He saw someone enter. He was sure of it. He approached the door cautiously, pushing it open just enough to peek inside. The only thing out of place was a small, black object resting on the edge of the counter. A pen. It wasn’t there before. Walker picked it up, running his thumb along the cold surface. Engraved along the side was something that made his blood run cold: E-H 401. Elizabeth was in Room 401. He slipped the pen into his pocket. He didn’t know what it meant, but he was sure of one thing—someone had been here, and they wanted him to know it. As he sank into a waiting area chair, Walker’s mind churned. He glanced around at the other patients. The anxious husband pacing back and forth. The elderly man flipping absently through a magazine. The woman cradling a newborn, her face blank. But something was off. The man had been pacing for too long, his steps never faltering. The old man hadn’t turned a page in five minutes. And the woman… the baby in her arms didn’t move. Walker’s throat tightened. It was as if they were planted there, playing their roles, existing just enough to blend in. A door creaked open, breaking his thoughts. “Mr. Walker?” A soft voice called. He turned to see a different nurse approaching. Unlike the others, she radiated warmth. “I’m here to discuss your wife’s treatment plan.” Walker stood, relieved and wary at once. He followed her down a quiet hallway and into a small consultation room. The moment the door shut behind them, her expression shifted. The warmth drained from her face, replaced by something else—urgency. “You need to listen to me,” she whispered, glancing toward the door as if making sure they weren’t being watched. “Your wife is stable, but you need to be careful.” Walker’s heart pounded. “What do you mean?” “You asked too many questions,” she said. “Dr. Graham doesn’t like that.” “I just want to move my wife to another hospital,” Walker said. The nurse’s jaw tensed. “That’s not going to be easy. And if they find out you’re planning it—” She cut herself off, inhaling sharply. Walker leaned forward. “What is this place?” She hesitated. Then, in a voice so quiet it was barely audible, she said: “Not what it seems.” A chill spread through him. The nurse exhaled, composing herself. She grabbed a blank prescription pad, scribbled something quickly, and folded it before handing it to him. “Act normal,” she instructed. “Read this when you’re alone.” Before he could say another word, she stood and opened the door, her professional mask back in place. “Your wife is receiving excellent care,” she said aloud, her voice warm again. “We’ll monitor her closely.” Walker took the note and slipped it into his pocket, his mind spinning. He walked out, his world now teetering on the edge of something far more sinister than he ever imagined. And he had the sinking feeling that he had just crossed a line he couldn’t step back from.
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Walker was in a trance. The world around him blurred, fading into something nightmarish. He stood frozen, watching in horror as Dr. Graham, the esteemed surgeon, cut into his wife’s belly. The scalpel gleamed under the surgical light, slicing through skin with eerie precision. Then—something unnatural happened. The doctor reached inside and pulled out a grotesque, pulsing mass, slipping it into a small, black box. Walker tried to scream. Tried to move. But he was locked behind a door, the small 15 by 15 centimeter window his only view into this twisted reality. He pounded on the glass, his breath fogging it up, but no one turned. No one heard him. The air reeked of antiseptic, but underneath, something foul seeped in—a scent he couldn’t name, something rotting beneath the surface of this hospital. Then— the vision shattered. Walker gasped, jolting awake, drenched in sweat. His pulse pounded against his skull like a hammer. It was just a trance. A nightmare. But it felt too real.
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Walker wasn’t surprised by the shift in their demeanor.They had seen him.And now, they would do everything in their power to silence him.A nurse—one he didn’t recognize—stood at the counter, her gaze cold and detached."Sir, may I know who you are?"The question sent a chill through him. They were pretending he didn’t exist.He forced a smile, though his nerves were unraveling. “I’ve been here since last night. This is my card. But…why are you asking?”She barely looked at it. “Sir, if you don’t adhere to hospital policy, I suggest you leave.”Walker gritted his teeth. “You should know me. I brought in a woman last night. My wife—Elizabeth.”For the first time, her expression shifted. A slight furrow of her brow. Then, as if catching herself, she straightened and dismissed him."Next in line."A woman pushed past him, stepping up to the counter. Her features were unsettling—deeply sunken eyes, heavy lids nearly concealing her pupils. She had the look of someone who had seen too muc
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He turned on his heels and walked out, keeping his pace steady. He wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing his fear. But outside, his hands shook. His mind reeled. They had erased Elizabeth. He waited outside for an hour, pacing near the hospital entrance. His mind raced with possibilities. They had seen him. That much was certain. If he stormed back in, they would stop him before he even got close. No, he had to be careful. He took a deep breath and walked back inside. The air smelled sterile—too clean, as if it were covering something rotten. Walker’s pulse thundered in his ears as he crept through the hallway, his steps calculated, his shoulders hunched to blend into the background. He kept his face down, pretending to study his shoes, but his eyes flicked up now and then, scanning the nurses behind the counter. Their chatter continued, oblivious to him—or so he hoped. He moved with precision, waiting for the perfect moment. The counter was lined with stacks of folde
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Siren lights painted the dim road as the wailing sound of a police van grew louder, rushing toward the hospital. Walker, battered and staggering aimlessly, barely registered the approaching vehicle. Blood trickled from his swollen lips, and his vision blurred with each step.The van screeched to a halt just ahead of him. The cops inside had spotted him, his bruised face and disoriented demeanor impossible to ignore.“Pull over,” one of them said sharply, his eyes narrowing as he studied Walker’s battered frame.The door swung open, and two officers stepped out. Their boots crunched against the gravel as they approached him cautiously.“Hey, sir!” the older officer called out, his hand resting on his holstered weapon. “Are you okay? What happened to you?”Walker barely lifted his head. The pain in his cheek and jaw made it difficult to move, let alone speak. His lips quivered as he tried to form words.“Hoshitu,” he mumbled, the sound garbled and weak.The officers exchanged a glance,
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Outside the control room, the two officers stepped away from Walker, leaving him leaning weakly against the wall. The sheriff lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly, his brows furrowed in thought.“You buying his story?” the younger cop asked quietly, glancing back at Walker, who was slumped against the wall, staring blankly ahead.The sheriff took another drag, his eyes narrowing. “I don’t know yet,” he muttered, his tone heavy with doubt. “Something doesn’t add up, but…” He trailed off, watching Walker out of the corner of his eye.The younger officer folded his arms, lowering his voice. “Look at him. He’s a mess, but that doesn’t mean he’s telling the truth. That footage didn’t show any Elizabeth, and the nurses… they seem nervous, yeah, but they’re sticking to their story.”The sheriff tapped ash onto the floor, his eyes fixed on the hospital corridor. “Exactly. They’re nervous. Too nervous. Like they’re hiding something.” He turned to his partner, his expression grim. “But what if he r
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Footsteps echoed down the hallway. A young man in his forties walked in.The tension in the air thickened as Dr. Graham walked into the room, his confident strides and calm demeanor radiating professionalism. His sharp gray beard glistened under the fluorescent lights, and his eyes flickered briefly to the gathered nurses whispering at the corner. His expression darkened for just a second—just enough to catch the nurses’ attention but not the officers'.The nurses exchanged panicked glances and immediately dispersed, each of them retreating to separate tasks. Walker noticed their sudden movement and felt a flicker of hope. Did Dr. Graham suspect them too?Dr. Graham stretched out a firm hand to the sheriff. “Good day, officers,” he said with a warm smile. “I was informed that you wanted to see me. I’m Dr. Graham.”The sheriff shook his hand firmly. “Yes, Doctor. We’re trying to make sense of some things here.”Dr. Graham’s eyes settled on Walker, his expression softening. “And you mus
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Walker slipped into the white overcoat, the fabric cool against his skin. It fit snugly—almost too perfectly—but as he glanced at himself in the reflection of a nearby window, he could see how the coat transformed him. For a brief moment, he looked the part of a doctor. But his heart hammered in his chest.Will they notice? Will they see through me?He adjusted the coat again, pulling the collar higher to obscure more of his face. His mind raced with doubts. If anyone caught him impersonating a doctor, it would all be over. The consequences would be dire—not just for him, but for Elizabeth.He took a step into the corridor, his breathing shallow. The first nurse appeared just ahead, pushing a cart laden with medical supplies. Walker’s stomach churned as she drew closer, her eyes casually scanning the hallway. His mind screamed at him to turn back, to avoid her.But running would draw attention.Just act normal. Keep moving.He lowered his head slightly, gripping the clipboard he had t
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The rain had just stopped when Walker stepped off the train and into the quiet edge of the Bronx suburbs. Not the heart of New York—too loud, too watched. Here, people minded their business. And if they didn’t, he’d give them a reason to.He walked with a duffel bag over his shoulder, the only sound his boots slapping damp concrete. Three blocks in, he saw the apartment. Weathered brick. Ivy curling up the sides like it was trying to pull it back into the earth. Two floors. Back alley. Narrow front. It was perfect.A sign in the dusty window read: Room For Lease. No Pets. No Nonsense.He knocked once. Waited.The door opened a crack. One gray eye peered through. Then it opened wider.Old man. Mid-seventies. Flannel shirt, suspenders, the scent of wood shavings clinging to him like perfume.“You lost, son?” the man asked.Walker didn’t smile. “Looking to rent. Short term. You Greg?”The man nodded. “Might be.”“I’ll pay three months upfront. Quiet. No visitors. I just need space.”G
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You will stay here tonight
A dusty taxi creaked to a halt by the side of an empty stretch of road. Jett stepped out first—broad shoulders wrapped in a black leather coat, hood drawn, his jaw clenched beneath a well-groomed beard. His mirrored sunglasses caught the glow of the streetlight, making him unreadable.Without a word, he circled to the other door, yanked it open, and dragged Anita out. She stumbled. Her face was veiled beneath a grey scarf, pulled tight. Her wrists were tense under his grip.The taxi disappeared into the fog. Another whizzed past, not even slowing when the driver caught a glimpse of the strange duo. Jett knew better than to head home. Surveillance was real. Patterns get you caught. And tonight, he wasn't just a hacker — he was judge, jury, maybe more.He hissed into Anita’s ear, the barrel of a pistol poking under her rib cage. “One sound, and I turn your insides into fog. Got it?”She nodded slowly, eyes wet, throat stiff.When a second cab finally pulled over, Jett shoved her inside
Walker's Next Move
Paris, 2:47 a.m. The yellow nightlight near the crib cast a soft oval glow across the cream-colored walls. Outside, a light drizzle tapped the glass window rhythmically. But Walker lay wide awake, his back pressed flat against their queen-sized bed, arms folded behind his head. His eyes had been locked on the ceiling for hours. He didn’t move until he heard the soft snore from Elizabeth—steady, shallow. Then, slowly, carefully, he turned and gently laid a hand on her shoulder. “Lizzy…” His voice barely escaped his lips. She groaned softly and stirred under the weight of the duvet, one leg peeking out. “Mm?” “I need to talk to you.” She rolled to face him, her long hair spilling onto the pillow. Her voice cracked with sleep. “Now?” “I can’t keep it in anymore.” Elizabeth sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes with both hands. “Alright. Talk.” Walker inhaled sharply. “I think it’s time we move back to the US.” Elizabeth blinked at him, confused. “What?” “I’m serious.” Sh
Anita the Stripper
The stripper hit the floor hard, stunned. Her mouth opened to scream—but Jett was faster. He clamped his hand over her lips and shoved her against the wall.“Where is she?” he growled. “The one with the yellow short hair. Lip piercing. Tribal mark. The one who sold me out.”She gasped, struggling under his grip. “I—I don’t know who you mean—”Wrong answer.Jett’s grip tightened around her throat. Her eyes bulged, bloodshot and watering. Her heels scraped against the floor. He leaned in, voice colder than steel.“When you get to hell, tell them I send my regards.”He released her. She collapsed, coughing, trying to breathe—but Jett wasn’t done.He drew the pistol, cold and black, and pressed the barrel to her lips. Slowly. Deliberately.“Talk. Or I blow your teeth through the back of your skull.”Her eyes filled with panic. She coughed, choked, shook her head. “I—I can’t…”He shoved the barrel deeper.“You will.”Finally, she broke.“Anita,” she wheezed. “Her name is Anita.”“Where?”“
Jett’s next move
Jett could finally rest now. Ramirez—the man he was assigned to watch like a hound on a scent—was locked up. Prison steel swallowed his old target. Jett wasn’t bitter anymore. Not exactly. If he hadn’t heard about how Ramirez’s wife and kid were kidnapped, he would’ve thought Ramirez had sold him out. But Jett knew betrayal. This wasn’t it.He had a new life now. One with the possibility of something like peace. Marriage? Maybe. But he knew how his world worked. People he crossed through his dark trade—hacking, digital theft, surveillance—if they couldn’t reach him, they'd go after the ones he loved. Just like Ramirez.That’s why he never married.That’s why tonight he carried a pistol in his back pocket and a black ski mask folded tight inside his duffel. It was 8 p.m. The club would be starting to heat up. If he waited too late, she’d be gone—dancing on another pole, working another poor bastard.She. The stripper who sold him out.Tonight, she dies.Jett covered the hole behind him
Lizzy, Pasta & The Snake-Bitten Husband
Elizabeth stood frozen in the middle of the hallway, one eye on her baby monitor and another on her phone screen. Her thumb hovered over the call button. There was only one person she could call right now. Someone who always had an annoying answer but always showed up when it mattered—Svet.She dialed.It rang once.Twice.Nothing.“What?!” she gasped out loud, glaring at her phone like it just cheated in Monopoly. “Svet NEVER ignores my calls. That man picks faster than Google Search!”She stomped to her room, still in her house robe—a faded pink monstrosity with “Best Wife Ever” peeling off the front. Her hair was in a bun so messy it looked like a raccoon had made a nest and abandoned it mid-morning. Inside the room, little Seth, her twelve-month-old heartthrob, was babbling to himself, a plush toy of a yellow duck clutched in one chubby hand.He was mumbling gibberish with a sense of purpose, like he was explaining blockchain to the duck.“Ba ba goo…noo noo waba…”Elizabeth stared
You’re using criminals to catch cops now?
Ramirez crept forward on aching elbows, the metal biting into his skin with every inch he advanced. The stale air of the ventilation shaft was thick with grime and rust, the silence broken only by the faint groans of the prison’s ancient structure. His heart pounded in his ears as he reached a long shaft stretching over the highest-security wing—the place they called The Pit.This has to be it, he thought. Javier Montoya’s cage.But as he crawled closer, his gut twisted.The shaft above this particular section wasn't like the others. It was reinforced with iron bars, thick and welded to an inner frame—an iron lattice designed to block even the smallest object from falling through. Someone had gone to great lengths to seal this section off from above. Not because of an escape risk—but because of rescue attempts. They had sealed it like a vault.They knew his men might try this. They thought of everything.Ramirez pressed his face to the narrowest gap in the ironwork. He couldn’t see mu
