Chapter 1: First Day
The middle of the night.
The cold, snowy mountains.
Inside an abandoned wooden shed, two figures stood.
One was tied to a chair.
The other is watching.
"Are you really sure this would work?" the standing man asked, his voice low.
"We have no choice," the tied man replied.
Silence stretched between them.
Then—
The man tied to the chair suddenly collapsed. His head tilted back, eyes closed, breath shallow. He had fainted.
The standing man flinched, a trace of fear flashing across his face.
"So, he finally blacked out... I hope things go the right way," he muttered.
The tied man's body jerked violently, straining against the ropes. A raw, inhuman scream tore from his throat—like something else was trying to claw its way out of him.
And then... stillness.
His head dropped forward before his eyes snapped open.
"Did it work?" he asked hoarsely.
"I hope it did," the other answered.
But the body tied up began to twist unnaturally. Muscles bulged, skin stretched. Something was moving inside him.
"What is that moving thing?" the man watching whispered.
The tied man began to choke.
The thing inside pressed against his throat... rising...
until it pushed through his mouth.
A black, slimy figure oozed out, scanning the room before slithering back into his body. The man gagged and fought for air, blood trickling from his lips.
The black figure emerged again—this time clutching his heart.
It ripped free, scuttling across the floor like a shadow given flesh.
The man watching opened fire.
Gunshots cracked through the shed, forcing the black figure to dart into a shelf, hissing, trying to escape.
Then—
Crash!
It burst through the wall, vanishing into the snowy night.
---
Two years later. In the city.
A car door opened. A young blonde woman stepped out, a suitcase in hand, White cloak.
"Finally, it's my first day in town," she breathed, smiling faintly. "I'm surprised they accepted a person from such a small place for a job like this. I'll finally be a professional doctor in one of the biggest hospitals!"
But as Sarah Wilfer walked toward the hospital, a wave of nausea hit her.
"That feeling... am I getting sick on my first day? Great."
She pushed on, quickening her pace. Ten minutes later she stepped into the hospital lobby, approaching the receptionist.
"Excuse me, I am the new doctor here," she said.
"Oh great. Can you provide me with your name?"
"Sarah Wilfer."
"One sec... here. The key to your room. Room number 7, second floor."
"Thank you, sir."
She headed for the elevator. But halfway up, it jolted to a stop. Darkness swallowed the small space.
"What now..." Sarah groaned. "Excuse me, does anyone hear me?" she called out, clutching her stomach.
The lights flickered back on. The elevator resumed its climb.
When it opened, a man was waiting at the doors. Sarah stepped out—only for her knees to buckle.
"I think I am fainting..." she whispered.
"What?!" the man said, catching her.
She pressed her keys into his hand, her voice fading.
"Here are my keys... take me to room number 7... and leave me to rest there..."
"Should I call anyone to help?" the man asked, worried.
"Call a nurse to... check on me... maybe..."
He lifted her gently and started down the hall.
"Emily! Close my room and come help me," he ordered.
"Doctor Sanchel! Um... right away," Emily replied, rushing to his side.
As they carried Sarah, Emily glanced at the unconscious girl.
"Who is she?"
"I found her fainting in front of the elevator. She gave me her keys and asked me to bring her to her room," Sanchel explained.
They reached Room 7. Emily unlocked it, and they laid Sarah down on the bed. Emily immediately began checking her condition while Sanchel stood by.
"She is low on sugar. Let's leave her with an apple juice until she wakes and drinks it. She doesn't seem to be in danger," Emily concluded.
"Thank you, Emily. Let's go back—we have other patients," Sanchel said.
"Right away!" Emily replied cheerfully.
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