The glowing red 2:17 AM burned into Ace's retinas even after he closed his eyes, leaning his forehead harder against the cool wood of the motel door. Less than eight hours. The number pounded in his skull alongside his racing heart. Behind him, Silva's retching finally subsided into weak, shuddering sobs from the bathroom. Evelyn moved first.
"We don't have time for this," she stated, her voice stripped of fear, replaced by a cold, focused urgency. She flipped the light switch back on, the sudden glare making them all blink. "Silva! Get out here! We need your hands and eyes. Now!"
Silva stumbled out of the bathroom, pale and shaky, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He looked like he might collapse. "Wh-what? They're coming back... he said—"
