BLACK RED BLOOD WHITE

Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

"Where have you been?" Ursula confronted her, her eyes slightly sunken, pale and fluttering, struggling to comprehend her new condition, and quivering with indignation at her unfortunate fate.

She was a normal woman, like many others, living, dreaming at times, and complaining most of the time.

"I've also taken care of another one of his. If he doesn't call for reinforcements, he's alone. Kate can defeat him. So, take the car and leave."

"Reinforcements? Kate? I don't know what you're up to, but I should know, I suppose, since you killed me to keep you company."

"Yes, right. I plan to make them fight. We will help Kate, she won't be alone. I want answers that I won't be able to get otherwise."

"In return, we free her, alive. Given the circumstances and what happened to the others before her, I don't think that's a small thing."

"Okay, Kate, now go inside. You need to get back into the house," Anna whispered in her ear.

Kate looked almost like an automaton, limp and unsteady, her face pale, clumsily moving from the weight of the blows she had endured. She limped back into the house.

'She's heading back into the house, she's coming up the steps. Are you sure about this, Anna? Wouldn't it be better to send her away now? Direct her to the car and let her go on with her life?'

"Open the door; it will open easily. You are regaining your strength. You will find Henry at the bottom of the stairs, in the surgery room."

Kate pushed open the door, which swung open smoothly. The lobby was dimly lit and silent.

"Turn on the lights," Anna instructed, and Kate felt the wall to find the switch, illuminating the chandelier above.

Out of the corner of her eye, Kate caught a glimpse of the overturned hallway, a toppled bookcase, and a soft arm protruding from underneath it.

"Go down the stairs. It will be easy, and you'll descend effortlessly. Your strength is returning, and your arm is muscular and strong."

"What are you doing? Are you hypnotizing her?" Ursula asked.

"You'll see, silly girl, I'll do it with you later," Anna said with a sinister tone, to which Ursula remained silent.

"By now, you don't limp anymore, and you don't feel the discomfort of the cold floor under your poorly covered feet. You walk as if you were wearing a pair of comfortable boots," Anna continued to influence Kate's movements.

Kate visibly improved her gait, confidently advancing up the stairs, illuminating them with the lights she had turned on.

"The shadows lengthened until they disappeared," Anna remarked.

"Henry is on the surgical couch, bandaged and full of painkillers, almost harmless," Kate heard Anna say.

"Why are you sending her?" Ursula inquired.

"I must know, Ursula, I must know," Anna replied.

Kate reached the end of the corridor, facing the door to the operating theatre. She hesitated for a moment, her mind racing, and then took a step back, her gaze flicking toward the stairs she had just descended quickly.

"Open the door!" Anna urged.

"She has no weapons, Anna, let her go," Ursula pleaded.

"You don't need it. I'm here. Open the door, Kate. You are protected and invulnerable. Nothing can harm you. I protect you," Anna reassured her.