Crimson Nightmares

Chapter Twenty-two

The hospital room is white and sterile, with machines beeping and blinking and sterile equipment neatly organized on shelves. In the corner, a bouquet of flowers that Eliz had brought adds a touch of color to the otherwise clinical space.

"I have been stuck in this room for weeks!" I pushed my head against the head of the bedboard. I was alone and on the brink of screaming. The monotonous beeping of the machines was driving me insane. My neck was killing me, and I couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped.

As if on cue, the door to my hospital room swung open, and there she stood. Elizaveta is my savior and my best friend. She always knew how to break through my tough exterior and pierce straight into my heart. Her red eyes twinkled in the dim light, filled with warmth and affection.

"Gérald," she breathed softly, her Russian accent adding a layer of seduction to her voice that always took me by surprise. And today was no different. My chest tightened, my heart pounding in my chest as she crossed the room to stand by my bed.

"Hey," I managed, my voice hoarse from one too many nights of smoking. I was grateful for her presence, even if it was just a simple visit.

"I brought you the pills." I asked her to bring a note to the farmist and bring me back the pills he would give her.

"Thank you, Eliz." I opened the boddle and slid two into my mouth.

I swallowed the pills with a gulp of the water she handed me from the bedside table, even though I knew it would only do so much to alleviate the constant pain in my neck.

Elizaveta sat down on the edge of the bed, smiling gently. Her hands found mine, and she squeezed them affectionately. "You know, Gérald, I've always admired your strength. The way you've been able to endure all of this pain despite everything you've been through. It's truly remarkable."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes, but I couldn't deny the feeling of warmth that spread through my chest at her words. "It's not exactly a choice, Eliz."

She laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"After I get better, we'll go out to fill up your stash like the old days."

"Oo, yes, once you're better, we could go on so many missions and have so much blood!"

"Speech of that you haven't asked me for blood?"
"I don't think while you are still hurt is the best time."

I nodded, understanding her reasoning. We both fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in our own thoughts. The beeping of the machines became a lullaby, easing my mind and body into a state of relaxation.

Elizaveta's hand still held mine tightly, providing me with a sense of security and warmth. It wasn't long before I drifted off to sleep, a smile pulling at the corners of my mouth as I thought about the future and the adventures we would have together.

As I slept, I dreamed of the missions, the battles fought, and the lives we had taken. It was all part of our world and our way of life. But it was also a world filled with darkness and pain, a world where even the strongest of us were not immune to the suffering that came with it.

As I drifted deeper into my dream, I found myself standing in front of the Crimson Mafia's headquarters. It was a towering building, its windows glowing with a sickly red light, like a beacon calling to me. Elizaveta was with me, her eyes glinting with determination as she looked at me, knowing what was coming.

We stepped inside, and the air was thick with the smell of blood and fear. The halls were filled with armed men and women, all clad in black, their eyes watching us as we made our way to the main conference room.

There, sitting at the head of the table, was the leader of the Crimson Mafia, the one who had given me this task. He was an old man with a scarred face, and his eyes were like two stones. He didn't speak, but simply gestured for us to sit down.

As we took our seats, the rest of the room fell silent, their gaze shifting between us. The leader's scarred face remained impassive, but I could sense the tension in the air.

"You have until midnight to deliver the goods," he said, his voice gruff and unyielding. "If you fail, the consequences will be dire for all of us. You fail, you die."

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. This was a task that could make or break us, and I knew that failure was not an option.

As we left the conference room, I turned to Elizaveta. "We have to work together faster and smarter than ever before. We have to prove ourselves worthy of this mission."

Elizaveta nodded, her eyes flashing with determination. "Although don't you think you are good enough for this job?"

"What?"

"You know exactly what I mean. You really are a weak child." The words shot deep into my soul.She laughed her sudivie laugh. She used it when killing something.

My eyes shot open as cold sweat dripped down my back. Eliz was still sleeping on the side of my bed, her hand intertwined with mine. She looked so tired and stressed recently. Was she not getting enough sleep?

"Gérald, are you okay?" Elizaveta asked, noticing the fear in my eyes.

I let out a shaky breath, trying to shake off the nightmare. "Yeah, just a nightmare. Don't worry about it."

She gently stroked my cheek, concern etched on her face. "If you need to talk, you know I'm here."

I nodded, appreciating her support. We both knew that our lives were far from easy, but having each other made all the difference.

The door opened, and the nurse walked in with a tray of food. "Here's your lunch, Mr. Henri."

I forced a smile, knowing I had to look strong for Elizaveta. "Thank you, Nurse."

I didn't feel like eating. I didn't feel like doing anything.

As I forced myself to eat, I couldn't help but wonder how much longer I would be stuck in this hospital room. I longed to be back in the action, to feel the adrenaline rush through my veins as we completed another mission for the Crimson Mafia. I kept seeing her eyes close as if her body wanted to sleep, but she would let it.

"Eliz, you don't look well; are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She yanded, looking even more tired.