When Olivia woke again that day, it was already noon. She drew back the heavy light-blocking curtains, letting the bright winter sun flood the room. The sunlight illuminated the elegant furnishings, casting a warm glow over the plush bedding and the ornate decor. After getting ready for the day, she opened her bedroom door and started heading downstairs.
Reaching the main floor, she paused momentarily before descending to the basement level. The basement hallway was dimly lit, the air cooler and filled with a faint antiseptic smell. She walked purposefully to the end of the hall where Dr. Zykov's bedroom was, but found it empty. The room, stark and clinical, had the bed neatly made and medical textbooks scattered on the desk, hinting at the doctor's meticulous nature.
