She pulled off her medical mask, revealing a sharp, mocking smile.

It was Evelyn Shaw.

“Hello, Alessia,” she whispered, locking the door behind her.

Before I could scream, a heavy hand clamped over my mouth from behind.

Marcus stepped out from behind the privacy curtain, his eyes bloodshot and desperate.

“Don’t make a sound,” he hissed in my ear.

I struggled, kicking my legs, but his grip was like iron.

Evelyn produced a small syringe from her coat pocket.

“Hold her still, Marcus,” she said, her voice completely calm.

I felt a sharp prick in my shoulder, and a cold wave rushed through my veins.

My limbs grew heavy, and the room began to spin.

“The back exit is clear,” Evelyn said, her voice sounding distant and warped.

“Let’s go before Russo’s dogs realize she is gone,” Marcus muttered.

My eyes drifted shut as they lifted me off the table.

When I woke up, the air was cold and damp.

I was lying on a thin mattress on a concrete floor.

My wrists were bound tightly behind my back with heavy plastic zip-ties.