Unlike the shadow man, Exodus didn’t try to hide. He stood right in front of me, arms folded over his broad chest.

“Let me explain something to you, Daniel. I’m not going to force you to do anything. You can walk right out that door and I won’t stop you. If you want to die today, then by all means, go,” he shrugs. “You can take your chances out there or you can listen to what I have to say and save your miserable life. The choice is yours.”

I sat on the edge of the bed, defeated. I was tired and weak. I can’t remember the last time I had eaten anything. “I’m listening,” I manage to say over the knot in my throat.

“Smart choice,” he says as he pulls a chair in front of me.

“I speak, you listen. If you have questions, and I know you will, ask them after I’ve finished. Are we clear?”

I nod my head in agreement.

“You were never going to leave rehab. The guy that got you with the syringe works for the United States government. He shot you with what should have been a lethal dose of heroin.”

My head shot up and I stared at him. I begin to speak but he holds one hand up. I clenched my teeth, trying to concentrate on steady breathing.

“It was meant to look like an accidental overdose. We’ve been tracking you for weeks. One of my men was able to subdue your would-be killer and take you home. What we didn’t count on was what happened when you got home. We failed you and for that, I am truly sorry. That has never happened before in cases similar to yours but still, there’s no excuse.”

I nod once. My eyes are brimming with tears but I refuse to let them fall.

“Daniel, there’s something else I need—“

The most guttural scream I’ve ever heard pierced through my skull.

Torn between leaving me to run or handle whatever fresh hell was going on next door, Exodus pointed at me and said “We aren’t finished here,” then bolted out of the room.

I tore off the hospital gown, and dressed quickly. Chills ran across the surface of my skin as I eased open the door. From what I could tell, the horrific cries were coming from the hallway to my left. My heart sank as I quickly realized those cries were that of a female. I captured a deep breath and ran for it.

Every step towards freedom felt heavy on my heart. Although faint now, I could still hear the piercing cries of the girl I’d left behind and it made me feel like a total asshole. I stopped to catch my breath and looked for a door, a window, some way out. Feeling faint I stumbled forward and saw it. An exit sign. I was only steps away from it. I stood upright and as I walked towards my freedom, I heard her scream again.

“Fuck. Fuck!” I punched the door and turned around, making my way back to her and possibly my own demise.