erground archive room smelled

medical files into boxes. The fluorescent light above her flic

ron door gr

navy suit. A slick, arrogant smile stretched across his

. The heavy metal deadbolt clicked into place. Th

net behind her. The clipboard in her hands slipped

d, taking a slow step toward her. "Playing

rced herself to stand tall. She raised her left hand, shovin

the ring. A harsh, barking l

ding-machine trash? You expect me to beli

rge, rough hand reached o

ologne hit her face. Panic s

echoed in her head. I

ipped through Flora's veins. Sh

hips, and swung her right hand with

t's left cheek. The crack of

ther shoes slipping on the linoleum. A bright red handprint instantly

standing in the dim hallwa

sulated thermos in her hand slipped. It hit the carpeted hallway floor, spillin

rning cheek. His shock morph

ant spat, taking a th

yes burned with a fierce, terrifying light. She

creamed, her voice

hoed from the hallway outside.

his hands shaking with fury. He glare

t over," G

ked the deadbolt, and

to the hallway a

didn't cry. She just stared at him with ey

ed from Grant's fac

as a rotting corpse. She stumbled backward, the

ched Eleanor's retreating back. A heavy, suffocating wave of guilt crashe

t venomous look before s

ay fell d

rame until she hit the floor. She stared at her

r pocket, the sudden v

screen lit up with a text from an unknown numb

at work. Hope you're o

ribs. It was Josiah. How did he know? Had someone in

r. She swallowed hard, forcing her shaky legs to straighten as she stood up. She bent down

painted a massive target on her

er red palm, she didn'

d of the hall, thunder rumbled in