Chapter 7 - THE NIGHT THE HOSPITAL WENT DARK
The second attack happened during another storm.
It was almost midnight.
The private wing was quiet.
Nicholas had completed physical therapy earlier that day and was sleeping.
Then the lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
The emergency system activated.
I checked the monitors.
Everything remained stable.
Then I heard shouting in the hallway.
A security guard ran past the door.
I stepped outside.
“What happened?”
He looked at me.
“Stay inside.”
A moment later, the fire alarm sounded.
Hospital staff began following emergency procedures.
Patients were assessed for possible relocation.
Then I saw a man in a maintenance uniform moving toward Room 412.
He wore a cap pulled low.
His identification badge was turned backward.
Something about him felt wrong.
“Sir,” I called.
He stopped.
“Can I help you?”
He looked at me.
“Electrical inspection.”
I frowned.
“During a fire alarm?”
He stepped closer.
I moved toward the nurses' station.
“Security!”
The man turned and ran.
Within minutes, hospital security and police secured the area.
The intruder was apprehended near a service exit.
Investigators later determined he had entered using fraudulent credentials.
He was carrying unauthorized equipment and had attempted to access the private wing.
Nicholas was unharmed.
But when I returned to his bedside, he was awake.
His eyes were wide.
“Clara?”
I moved closer.
“I'm here.”
He reached for my hand.
This time, his grip was gentle.
“I thought I'd lost you.”
My throat tightened.
“You didn't.”
He closed his eyes.
“I'm sorry.”
I squeezed his hand.
“Then help make sure this ends.”
May you like
He nodded.
“I will.”
