PART 5: Shadows in Room 412

PART 5: Shadows in Room 412

Hospital corridors hide dangerous corporate enforcers.

My boots pounded rhythmically against the concrete steps of the stairwell as I surged upward toward the fourth floor, Lily holding tightly around my neck with her small arms, her breath coming in frightened gasps against my shoulder.

When I reached the heavy metal door marked 4th Floor - Restricted Access, I slammed my shoulder against it, bursting out into the quiet, antiseptic hallway.

The lighting here was dimmer, flickering slightly overhead.

The air smelled sharply of rubbing alcohol, floor wax, and something else—iron and copper.

Blood.

My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped animal.

I rounded the corner toward room 412, and my steps instantly faltered.

Standing directly outside the closed door of Clara’s room were two heavy-set men in dark suits, wearing identical earpieces and holding professional medical containment restraints.

My father’s private security detail.

They had found her first.

"Hey! You private citizens aren't allowed in this restricted wing," the larger enforcer barked, stepping directly into my path, his hand sliding ominously toward his jacket pocket. "Turn around and walk away, pal. You don't want to get involved in a private medical transfer."

I didn't walk away.

I lowered Lily gently behind a structural concrete pillar, keeping my body between her and the armed guards.

"Step aside," I said, my voice dropping into a dark, lethal register that made the smaller guard hesitate.

"Listen, buddy, we have orders from Mr. Sterling senior—"

I didn't let him finish the sentence.

All the rage, the betrayal, the ten years of stolen memories, and the agony of a manipulated life exploded out of my chest.

I lunged forward, slamming my fist directly into the lead guard’s jaw with a sickening crunch.

He staggered backward, crashing hard against the wall.

The second guard drew a baton, swinging it wildly toward my head, but adrenaline fueled my movements. I ducked inside his reach, drove my shoulder into his midsection, and slammed him down onto the linoleum floor.

He groaned, going limp as his head hit the tiles.

I stood over them, breathing heavily, shaking the pain out of my knuckles.

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I turned around, picked Lily up from behind the pillar, and walked over to room 412.

My hand trembled as I reached out, grabbed the stainless-steel handle of the door, and pushed it open.