Without wasting another second, he turned and led them toward the back corridor, toward the coded VIP elevator the one reserved only for the highest-level clients.
The door slid open with a soft beep, and Cecilia and Evelyn entered.
As the door closed behind them, the noise of the outer world faded.
And just like that, the spectacle was over.
***
Later that day...The cold hum of machines echoed softly in a white hospital room.
The room was calm. Clean. Quiet.
Stella slowly opened her eyes.
Her vision was blurry at first, but as the ceiling lights cleared into focus, she blinked rapidly. Her head ached. Her back was sore. She felt like she had been hit by a train.
Then, voices, she turned her head slowly and saw a figure.
It was her father. Standing right beside her, he was Stiff, Silent. But present.
