I lunged across the bed, reaching for the console attached to the monitor.

My fingers fumbled over the plastic buttons.

I found the blue one labeled ‘Silence/Override’ and pressed it.

The frantic beeping died down, replaced by a softer, slower chime.

I leaned back over him.

His eyes were closing again, his strength completely spent.

“Play along,” he whispered, his voice fading. “Don’t let them know.”

His fingers slowly uncurled from mine, falling limp back onto the white sheet.

His eyes shut.

He looked exactly as he had for the past nine months.

If I hadn’t felt the warmth of his hand and heard his voice, I would have thought I imagined it.

My hands were shaking violently.

I smoothed the sheet over his chest, trying to make everything look normal.

I stepped back, my boots squeaking softly on the polished hardwood floor.

The door handle turned.

The heavy oak door swung open, throwing a shaft of bright light across the dim room.

Jason Thornton stood in the doorway.

He was wearing a tailored grey suit, his hair perfectly combed despite the late hour.