“Y… yes!” The nurses wasted no time, stumbling out into the hall in a frantic rush. Not far from Linda’s door, Nyla was returning from a routine check-up when the chaos spilled into the corridor. “What’s happening in there?”
“Grandma!” Eric’s voice cut through the noise. He arrived breathless, running straight for the room.
“Eric?” Nyla blinked in confusion. “Why are you—”
Eric did not stop to answer. He darted past her, determined to get inside.
“What is going on?” Nyla seemed completely baffled.
“Mrs. Flynn!” Phillips hurried up beside her, a worried look on his face. “Mr. Scott is concerned about Hadley. We should head inside.”
Hadley?
Nyla’s heart sank. Something terrible must have happened.
“Hadley!” Eric’s chest heaved with every breath as he burst into the room, his focus instantly locking onto Hadley’s unconscious form.
He called her name again, fear etched in his voice. Carefully, he gathered her from Tamara’s hold, cradling her close. His eyes flicked over to Linda, who was sprawled and unmoving on the floor.
Tamara’s tone was quick but reassuring. “Mr. Scott, please don’t panic. Help is already on the way!”
The center’s ambulance had just pulled up outside. Right then, a nurse came running, pointing toward the entrance. “The ambulance is ready!”
“Phillips!” Eric wasted no time. He shot Phillips a hard look, voice firm and direct. “Take care of Linda. Do not let anything happen to her. Make sure she lives.”
“I will, Mr. Scott.”
The medical staff hurried in, pushing a stretcher. “Who needs help?”
Phillips moved fast, gently lifting Linda and laying her on the stretcher. “She’s the one. Please move quickly!”
“Understood!”
C?ntent ?riginally fr?m g?l?ν?
Linda was whisked away to the waiting ambulance, with Phillips right beside her as they raced to the hospital.
Still clutching Hadley, Eric managed a quick, regretful glance at Nyla. “Grandma, sorry, but we have to go.”
“Okay… I understand.” With a trembling nod, Nyla watched as they hurried out of the room.
When she turned around, the room looked like chaos had swept through it. Blood had pooled across the floor, leaving a deep crimson stain that seemed to grow by the second. That heavy, iron scent hung in the air, impossible to ignore.
Bringing her trembling hands together, Nyla bowed her head and whispered, “Dear God, please watch over them. Let them be safe.”
Eric decided not to take Hadley back to Jewel Avenue, afraid the sight might be too much for Joy. Instead, he brought her straight to Olisvale Bay. He carried her upstairs to the master bedroom in the south wing where he resided—the same space they once called theirs.
Nothing inside had been touched. Every detail was still tailored to her tastes, her belongings still in their places as though she had never left.
.
.
.