Chapter 4 - The Setup
The hallway of the secure ward was blindingly white and smelled of bleach. Sarah, having slipped past a distracted security guard, moved silently down the corridor.
She peered through the small reinforced window of Room 4B. Inside, Lily sat on the edge of a cot, wearing a torn, gray institutional gown. She looked pale, exhausted, and terrified. A fresh bruise marred her cheek.
Sarah tapped gently on the glass. Lily’s head snapped up.
Before Lily could cry out, Sarah signaled for silence. A nurse was approaching. Sarah stepped into a supply closet, waiting for the footsteps to pass.
When the coast was clear, Sarah unlocked the door using a master keycard she’d swiped from the front desk. Lily threw herself into her mother's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Mom, they locked me away," Lily whispered frantically. "They lock us in the dark. They hurt us."
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"I know, baby. I know," Sarah whispered back, smoothing her daughter's hair. She quickly slipped the micro-recorder into the pocket of Lily's gown. "I need you to be brave for five more minutes. When Victoria comes to gloat, you let her talk. Do you understand? I am right outside. I won't let her touch you."
Lily nodded, wiping her blood-smeared face.
