Headline

Chapter 1: The Door to Room 312

Rachel didn’t answer right away.

Emily’s question—“Can you take me home?”—hung in the sterile air like something fragile that might shatter if touched too quickly.

Rachel swallowed hard, forcing her voice to stay steady.
“Yeah,” she whispered, brushing a strand of messy hair from Emily’s face. “Yeah, I can.”

But even as she said it, her eyes flicked toward Room 312.

The door was slightly ajar.

A shadow moved inside.

The nurse stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Ma’am
 is everything okay here?”

Rachel stood slowly, shielding Emily with her body without making it obvious. “I think
 I need to speak to someone in charge.”

The nurse’s expression tightened—she had seen the bruises too. “Come with me,” she said gently. “Bring her.”

Emily hesitated before sliding off the cold metal chair. Her small hand found Rachel’s sleeve and held on tightly, like letting go would mean disappearing.

As they walked down the corridor, the fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. Behind them—

Room 312’s door creaked open wider.

May you like

Rachel didn’t look back.

But she felt it.

Other posts