Blacked Out
Chapter 6: Power
The hallway stretched endlessly, silent except for the faint beeping of machines and the distant murmurs of patients being treated. Dr. Sanchel had already left the scene, leaving Sarah and Robert standing there—frozen in shock, their minds blank, unsure of what to do next.
Then, suddenly…
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
"Doctor Sanchel!" Robert answered, his voice trembling.
"Return to the reception. You have work to do," Sanchel ordered coldly through the comm.
"B–But what about Dr. Wilfer?" Robert's voice cracked with emotion.
"Forget about her. Or… would you like to go with her?" Sanchel's tone was sharp, cutting through Robert's heart like a knife.
Robert froze, unable to answer.
"And by the way," Sanchel added before hanging up, "don't call her Doctor anymore."
The line went dead.
Robert clenched his fist, then turned toward Sarah—his expression full of guilt.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered. She didn't reply. He turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the long, empty corridor.
Sarah stood still, trembling, trying desperately to keep her emotions under control. But it was impossible. Her eyes watered, her breath shook. She had just lost everything—her dream job, her career, her purpose—all over something she couldn't control.
"Why…?" she whispered.
"Why!"
"Why!"
Her voice echoed down the sterile walls.
"What am I supposed to do now!?" she screamed, tears flowing down her face.
She wiped them away. "No… I can't fall apart. Not now. I still have a mission. I won't give up—not until I win against this thing!"
With renewed determination, Sarah gathered her belongings. Her hands still trembled, but her eyes were steady. She walked down the hallway one last time.
Or… was it really the last?
At the end of the corridor stood Dr. Sanchel and Robert. Robert avoided her gaze, guilt eating at him. Sanchel, however, looked directly at her—with that same smirk she'd come to despise, like he had been waiting for this moment.
What's wrong with him? she thought bitterly. Is he serious?
She stopped for a moment, closed her eyes, took a deep breath… then turned away and walked out of the hospital.
"Well… what now?" she muttered, facing the dark city street. Rage and sorrow burned inside her.
"Luckily, I still have some money. I can probably stay at a hotel until I go back home."
She searched her purse for her phone and opened it.
"Let's see… any nearby hotels?"
After a few minutes of scrolling, her face lit up.
"Found one! It's close—and not too expensive. Perfect."
For the first time in hours, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things were returning to normal.
She began walking toward the hotel, the city eerily quiet. The streets were empty—too empty. Streetlights flickered weakly, throwing long shadows on the pavement.
Then, suddenly—
Thud!
She stumbled and fell.
"W-What…?" she gasped, clutching her head. Pain surged through her body.
"H–How…? Only two hours since last time! Why now? WHY!?"
Her breathing became heavy. She was losing strength fast.
Then, from behind her, a voice broke through the darkness.
"Hey, beautiful."
She froze.
"Hand over that purse," the voice said, a cruel laugh following. "Or you'll regret it."
She turned slowly, pain still coursing through her veins. Two men in ski masks stood behind her—each holding a knife.
"Who are you!?" she shouted.
"Thieves," one of them said with a smirk.
Sarah turned and ran.
"After her!"
They chased her at full speed—but something strange happened. Despite being faster, the thieves couldn't close the distance. It was as if something invisible was pulling them back, slowing their movements. Confused but determined, they kept running.
Meanwhile, Sarah pushed her body to its limits. Every muscle screamed, her lungs burned, her vision blurred—but she refused to stop.
"Endure…"
"Endure…"
"Endure!"
She pushed harder, but her body could take no more. She collapsed.
The thieves caught up and began approaching her—until they suddenly froze. The same strange force struck again, pulling them backward, stronger this time.
Then—
BOOM!
A massive wave of purple energy erupted from Sarah's body, shaking the street. The thieves screamed, choking, their bodies convulsing under the invisible pressure. Within seconds, they fell lifeless to the ground.
Sarah lay unconscious in the middle of the street, the faint glow around her slowly fading.
---
Meanwhile, high above—on the roof of a nearby apartment—someone was watching.
Patient 17.
He held a communicator to his ear.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
"Why did you call me?" came a voice—Patient 15.
"Did something happen?"
"Yes," 17 replied quickly. "Something big."
"What is it?"
"The Blessed One… she just stabilized."
"And not only that," he continued, eyes wide, "she used her power."
A long silence followed.
"So it's true," said Patient 15 softly. "She really is the Blessed One."
"What about the mission?" 17 asked.
"Leave now," replied 15. "You've done enough."
"Alright," said 17.
A faint smile crossed his lips as he ended the call.
"Thanks for your help, Patient 17," came Patient 15's last words—then paused.
"Or should I say… Dr. Sanchel?"
The wind blew across the rooftop as his face became visible under the moonlight.
"Nah," Sanchel chuckled. "Patient 17 is better."
"See you soon," Patient 15 said, closing the line.
Dr. Sanchel—Patient 17—slipped his phone into his coat pocket and disappeared into the night.
---
A lot happened tonight.
What will become of Sarah now?
Why is she called The Blessed One?
And what is the truth behind Dr. Sanchel's mission?
Seek us out… to know the truth.
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