The Living Hallways
The oppressive silence of Sujay Psychiatry Hospital swallowed the group whole as they moved deeper into the dimly lit hallways. Their boots echoed softly against the cracked tiles, and every creak and groan of the building felt unnervingly alive. The faint red glow of symbols etched into the walls pulsed faintly, almost like a warning.
Elias led the way, his gray eyes sharp and alert, with Lara close behind him. She still seemed pale and distant, but she followed silently, her hand brushing the wall every so often as though feeling for something unseen.
Roman clutched his backpack tightly, his knuckles white. "This place… it looks different," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
"Different how?" Margot asked sharply, her rifle at the ready.
Roman's eyes darted around, his breath quickening. "It wasn't like this before. It was empty. Broken. But now…" His voice trembled. "Now it feels like it's waiting for us."
The group turned a corner, and the sight that met them froze them in their tracks.
The hallway opened into a pristine, brightly lit room. The walls gleamed white, the floors polished to a mirror-like shine. Potted plants lined the edges of the space, their leaves vibrant and green. The air smelled of antiseptic and lavender, a far cry from the decay outside.
"It looks… normal," Jack said, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Too normal," Lyn whispered, her hand tightening on the strap of her bag.
Before anyone could respond, a door on the far side of the room opened, and a nurse stepped in.
The nurse was tall and thin, her uniform crisp and spotless. Her face held a kind, warm smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she surveyed the group.
"Welcome," she said, her tone gentle and professional. "How may we assist you today?"
Roman's scream shattered the moment, raw and filled with terror. "No! No, no, no, this is how it starts!" He grabbed Margot's arm, his voice rising. "This is how they killed them! Just like this!"
Margot shoved him off, her glare sharp. "Roman, pull yourself together—"
"They're not real!" Roman shouted, backing away toward the wall. "None of this is real! Don't you see?"
The nurse's smile didn't waver as she stepped closer. "Sir, please remain calm. You seem distressed. Let us help you."
Elias stepped in front of Lara instinctively, his eyes narrowing. "Who are you?" he demanded.
The nurse tilted her head, her smile never faltering. "I'm Nurse Emily. And this…" She gestured around the room. "…is Sujay Psychiatry Hospital. You're safe here."
Elias's stomach churned. The room was so pristine, so alive, it felt like a dream—or a trap. "What is this place?" he pressed.
"Exactly what it appears to be," Nurse Emily replied smoothly. "Now, please tell us—what brings you here? Are you injured?"
Lara stepped forward, her voice firm despite her pale appearance. "This isn't real. None of this is real."
The nurse's smile faltered slightly, her head tilting just a fraction too far. "You seem confused, dear. That's not uncommon."
More doors opened, and several other nurses filed in, each of them smiling warmly. Their uniforms were identical, their movements eerily synchronized.
Roman's panic escalated as he pointed wildly. "Don't let them touch you! They'll—"
Before he could finish, the head nurse—shorter but with sharper features—raised her hand, signaling to the others.
"Take him to the examination room," she said calmly.
Two nurses approached Roman, their smiles still plastered in place. He screamed and thrashed as they grabbed his arms, dragging him toward one of the open doors.
"Stop!" Margot barked, raising her rifle.
The head nurse turned her sharp gaze to Margot, her smile widening slightly. "There's no need for violence, dear. You're safe here."
Margot didn't lower her weapon. "You touch anyone else, and I swear—"
Before she could finish, another nurse lunged forward, jabbing a syringe into her arm with frightening precision. Margot's eyes widened in shock as her body went limp, her rifle clattering to the floor.
"Margot!" Jack shouted, but two more nurses were already approaching him.
Elias moved to intervene, his claws already extending as his demon instincts took over. But as he swung, his arm faltered mid-motion, the strength draining from his body.
"What…?" he muttered, stumbling back. His wings didn't respond, his powers slipping away like water through his fingers.
Lara tried to summon the power she had felt in the forest, but it was gone. Her body felt heavy, her mind sluggish.
The head nurse stepped closer, her smile widening unnaturally. "This is a place of healing. There's no need for such violence."
Elias gritted his teeth, his body straining against the invisible force sapping his abilities. "What are you doing to us?"
"Helping," the head nurse replied simply.
One by one, the group was subdued. Syringes flashed, and bodies collapsed, their protests fading into silence. Lara was the last to fall, her vision blurring as she watched Elias struggle against the nurses holding him down.
"Don't… let them…" she murmured, her voice fading as darkness claimed her.
The last thing she saw was the head nurse leaning over her, a serene smile on her face.
When Lara woke, the world was different. She was lying on a hospital bed, the room around her bathed in soft, warm light. The walls were pale blue, adorned with calming paintings of flowers and landscapes.
She sat up slowly, her body feeling weak but strangely calm. The others were in similar beds around the room, still unconscious.
The sound of footsteps echoed outside the door, and a voice called out cheerfully:
"Good morning, patients! Time for your check-up."