Chapter 3: Highway of Shadows
The gravel road gave way to overgrown weed patches and rusted chain-link fences. Through the dense curtain of rain, the silhouette of St. Jude’s emerged—a sprawling Gothic monolith of weathered brick and darkened glass.
Only one ground-floor window emitted a faint, sickly yellow glow.
Adam cut the SUV’s headlights fifty yards before the main gate, letting the vehicle roll to a silent halt beneath the canopy of weeping willows. The rain beat a rhythmic, hollow drum against the roof.
"Lily, stay in the car," Adam ordered gently, unbuckling his seatbelt. "Lock the doors from the inside. If I am not back in twenty minutes, press the emergency SOS button on the dashboard."
"Daddy, don't leave me alone," she pleaded, tears welling again.
Adam leaned over, cupping her cold face in his hands. "Your mother spent three years in the dark waiting for us. I am not leaving you alone, and I am not leaving her behind. Keep the locket safe. When I bring her out, you show it to her first."
Lily swallowed hard, nodded, and pressed the lock button.
Stepping out into the freezing deluge, Adam felt the sting of the wind against his collar. The air smelled of wet earth and decay. He made his way toward the service entrance near the loading dock, slipping the red keycard from his pocket.
Every shadow seemed to stretch toward him. He wasn't just walking into an abandoned hospital; he was stepping into the tomb of the woman he had loved, built by the woman who shared his bed.
He reached the heavy steel fire door. Above the handle, an electronic keypad glowed with a single amber diode. Adam pressed the red card against the sensor.
May you like
A sharp beep cut through the thunder. The magnetic lock clicked open.
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