Still Alive - Adam Stanheight

Chapter 2

Adam's eyes shoot open. The fluorescent lights blinding him are enough to make him panic. He is also wearing a breathing mask and a heart monitor, that rings his ears like crazy.

He begins to whimper under his mask, which causes the large group of people wheeling him around the hospital to lean down to his aid.

"Don't panic, Adam," one of the nurses wearing a mask and holding a surgical tool says to him, in the midst of all the panic. "We're taking you to surgery. You're gonna be okay."

This scares Adam more since he cannot trust anyone ever again after what Lawrence did to him. He begins trying to pull his mask off and fight his way out. He didn't care how weak he was.

He groans in agony as another doctor holds him down like a prisoner. "You're safe with us, Adam. Trust me," the doctor says over and over, but Adam does not believe it for a second and continues to fight.

"Get me a sedative," a doctor from behind says as quietly as possible but not silent enough for Adam not to hear. Another doctor restrains him so there is no way of breaking free.

A tear slides down his cheek as a needle is placed in his shoulder, knocking him right out.

***

In an apartment complex a few blocks from the hospital, Brielle Mason stretches out of bed. She takes a brisk shower, puts on her uniform, and ties her long auburn hair in a neat work bun.

She puts on her go-to natural makeup look and goes over her notes one last time before she leaves for work, ready to ace another day as a trainee detective.

As she is about to leave her apartment, she gets a phone call from the head office. It must be urgent if she is getting a call before even arriving there.

"Hello?"

"Morning Brielle. It's Peter Straham here," the voice answers. He is Brielle's mentor at work.

"Sorry for calling so early."

"No, that's okay," Brielle replies casually. "What do you need, Mr Straham?"

The man sighs over the phone, a little distressed. "Another Jigsaw victim was found yesterday."

Brielle gasps, as this is the second person to be found this week. "Already? Oh my God, this guy is ruthless! Who was it?"

"His name is Adam-Faulkner-Stanheight," Straham responds. "He's a local photographer and was kidnapped alongside Doctor Lawrence Gordon in an abandoned bathroom. The killer left him to die in there, until he was able to save himself, using recent victim Amanda Young's phone."

"Holy shit," Brielle whispers in utter shock. She can't imagine the pain this person must've gone through.

"What I want you to do," Straham continues. "Is to go to the hospital instead of work this morning. Adam is due to wake up from his surgery today. He's going to be very traumatised. The last thing we want is to upset him more, and bringing in a whole crew of detectives will most definitely do that. This is why I'm asking you to go in and talk to him. You don't have to question him, not today. I just want you to talk to him and let him know that he is safe. Then we'll decide when it's best to ask him questions."

"Okay?" Brielle responds, a little unsurely. "Do you think I'm up for this job?"

"Absolutely," Straham replies with sincerity. "You've been a great asset to us in helping us find this killer. Also, you're the least intimidating out of us all, in a good way. Adam needs to feel comfortable around you. He's also around your age, so you'll understand him better than any of us."

Brielle nods, now understanding the assignment completely. "Understood. I'll update you on everything tonight."

Brielle swallows hard nervously, but then a resolute look swipes across her face. She hates the Jigsaw killer, and what he has done to people. She's determined to help Adam recover in any way she can.