The sun hadn’t risen yet, but the hospital was already trembling with unease. Word of Tom’s death… and the strange whispers that followed… had spread like wildfire. But no one felt the storm more than the remaining six conspirators.And today, one of them would slip.Dr. Nelson Wood entered the pediatric wing with his usual quiet confidence. Nurses smiled at him—soft, admiring smiles, because his reputation spoke louder than any rumor.But he wasn’t thinking about admiration. He was thinking about fear. His footsteps slowed as he reached the glass-walled consultation room.Because inside was a man who shouldn’t be nervous… yet was sweating like a pig caught stealing. Raymond. One of the seven. A man who once laughed as James Wood paid his rent, protected his family, and funded his business.Now he looked like he hadn’t slept all night. Nelson stepped in. Raymond jumped to his feet. “D-Dr. Nelson… good morning.”Nelson closed the door gently. “You asked to see me urgently.”Raymond wip

The hospital corridors were quiet, too quiet for a Monday morning. Nurses whispered. Doctors walked faster than usual. Patients watched shadows instead of televisions. Because something had changed. Not in the building.But in the air. A pressure. A fear. A presence. And it followed Dr. Nelson Wood like an invisible storm. He walked through the hallway with calm, steady steps—white coat flowing, stethoscope hanging loosely, eyes cold and unreadable.Nurses greeted him softly. “Good morning, Doctor.”“Morning, Doctor Wood.” But what they felt was not morning.What they felt was night. Beside him, Nurse Kemi exhaled shakily. “Doctor… everyone is acting strange today.”Nelson didn’t slow down. “They should.”Kemi blinked. “Why?”He stopped, turned to her, and gave a small but calm smile. “That’s not for you to worry about.”Kemi opened her mouth to ask more, but Nelson was already walking away. He entered his office. Closed the door. Locked it. Then removed the white envelope from his dr

Wind howled against the windows as the footsteps multiplied outside the mansion.James felt the cold grip of old betrayal tightening around his throat.Chief Rami whispered harshly, “James… we’re surrounded.”James nodded slowly. “I counted seven steps.”The Keeper’s voice floated through the darkness. “Correct. Your seven friends. Their loyalty is not theirs anymore. They belong to the Circle.”Rami hissed, “We need light. Now.”“No,”the Keeper snapped. “Light will expose us. Silence will protect us.”Another set of footsteps dragged across the gravel outside, slow and deliberate. James closed his eyes for a moment. Their faces flashed in his mind, men who once laughed with him, worked with him… and then slowly poisoned him.Now they were back to finish the job. Rami leaned close. “James. Talk to me. What do you want to do?”James whispered, “We find another exit.”But the Keeper stepped in front of them. “There is no other exit.”Rami frowned. “This is a mansion.”“Not a normal one

The mansion’s hallway felt colder than before, as if the shadows themselves were listening. James followed behind the Keeper, Rami close at his side. “Where exactly are we going?” Rami whispered.The Keeper replied without turning. “To the room nobody was supposed to find.” James frowned. “This is my house. There’s no room here I don’t know about.”The Keeper stopped walking. “There is one.”He touched the wall, a plain, cream-colored section James had walked past a thousand times. Then,click. A seam appeared. A soft rumble. The wall slid open like a silent door. Rami blinked. “…James. Please tell me this is one of your billionaire gadgets.”James shook his head slowly. “I’ve never seen this in my life.”The Keeper stepped inside.THE HIDDEN DESCENTA narrow stairway spiraled downward, swallowing light. James felt a chill crawl across his spine. “How long has this been here?”“Since before you bought the house,” the Keeper replied.Rami frowned. “Who built it?”The Keeper didn’t answ

The hospital cafeteria buzzed with quiet morning chatter, but James felt none of it. He sat alone by the window sipping black coffee, watching the city wake up. His assistant, Nurse Ellen, approached.“Dr. Wood… you didn’t sleep again, did you?”James didn’t look away from the window. “Sleep comes when needed. Not before.”Ellen sighed. “Mr. Daniel Grey is awake. He’s… demanding to see you.”James stood slowly. “Good. Let him wait.”Ellen blinked. “O…kay.”James placed the empty cup on the tray. “Also,” he said, buttoning his coat, “if anyone else calls asking about our insurance program, schedule them immediately. Friends of Daniel Grey get priority treatment.”Ellen nodded. “Yes, doctor.”Daniel’s RoomDaniel sat up in his bed, shaking like a leaf in harmattan wind. His eyes were swollen, his hands trembling uncontrollably.When James entered, Daniel grabbed the bed rails. “Doc… thank God you’re here.”James walked in calmly. “What is it?”Daniel gulped air like a drowning man. “Som