A.L.E.N - Between Shadows (Chapter 2)

Act 43

However, on the other side of the story, a few months ago.

Late one night, in the hospital room, there was a sense of foreboding stillness.

The dim, flickering fluorescent lights cast long shadows across the stark, white walls, creating an atmosphere that felt more sinister than serene.

A lone television, mounted high on the wall, played silent late-night infomercials, adding to the surreal ambiance of the room.

In the bed lay a man, swathed in layers of bandages, the telltale signs of a severe accident or traumatic event. Tubes ran from his body to various machines, their steady beeping and occasional whirs the only indications of life within the room.

The scent of antiseptic hung heavily in the air, mingling with the faint odor of sterilized metal and latex gloves.

The silence was palpable, occasionally broken by the distant sounds of a nurse's footsteps in the hallway or the soft murmur of voices from other rooms. This room, however, felt isolated, a stark reminder of the thin line between life and death.

The man's face was barely visible, obscured by gauze and shadows—a poignant image of vulnerability and the precariousness of human existence.

While the fluorescent lights hummed softly overhead, a woman nurse moved with practiced ease down the sterile hospital corridor, her footsteps muffled by the linoleum floor. Her crisp white uniform was adorned with the subtle creases of professionalism, but there was no name tag on it.

With a gentle sway to her stride, she exuded an air of quiet confidence, her steady gaze hinting at the myriad stories she held within her caring heart.

As she approached the door of the room, her hand reached out instinctively, ready to offer comfort and aid to those within.

She opened the door, her footsteps muffled by the hushed atmosphere. And as she slowly and quietly closed the door, the nurse approached the man with a mixture of trepidation and determination. "Alen," she murmured softly, her voice barely audible over the mechanical cacophony. "It's time to wake up."

Alen's eyes flickered open, revealing a glint of something primal lurking within their depths. His hand instinctively reached for the rope encircling his neck, a tangible symbol of the torment he endured. With a steely resolve, he tightened his grip, his gaze piercing through the darkness with an intensity that sent shivers down the nurse's spine.

"You're not alone in your pain, Alen," the nurse murmured, her voice laced with sinister intent. "But you can turn that pain into power. Let it consume you; transform you into something they'll fear."

She leaned in closer, her eyes gleaming with a twisted sense of satisfaction. "You have every right to seek revenge, Alen. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Make them regret ever crossing you."

As Alen's gaze hardened, she continued, her words like poison dripping from her lips. "You hold the strings now, Alen. Pull them tight and watch them dance to your tune. Make them pay dearly for what they've done to you."

The nurse's influence seeped into Alen's psyche, fueling the flames of his rage.

In that moment, he became a vessel for vengeance, his soul consumed by the darkness the nurse had awoken within him.

The hunt for revenge had begun, and nothing would stand in his way.

End of Chapter 2

To be continue...?