The two men sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the last twenty-four hours pressing down like a second skin.
Boyd leaned back against one of the counters, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
Monte sat across from him on a gurney, elbows on his knees, cigarette hanging loosely between his fingers though it wasn't lit.
The building was quiet. Even the hum of the overhead light seemed to have died out.
Monte exhaled sharply, glancing at Boyd.
"Hell of a place you've got here," he said dryly.
Boyd cracked a tired grin. "Yeah. Real fixer-upper."
For a moment, the silence almost felt easy, until something caught Monte's eye.
He squinted toward the window. "Hold up."
He stood, walking toward the far end of the infirmary. Boyd frowned and straightened as Monte reached the window sill and stopped dead.
There, sitting in the dim light, was a small yellow flower. Delicate and bright, out of place against the blood-stained white of the walls.
Monte picked it up carefully, rolling the stem between his fingers.
He turned toward Boyd. "Tell me something? Does Kristi usually leave flowers near the window?"
Boyd frowned, shaking his head. "Not that I'm aware of… Wait a second." He stepped closer, his brow furrowing. "Those don't even grow in the town."
Monte looked up. "Really?"
Boyd's voice lowered. "Yeah. The only place I've seen them is up at Colony House. Donna's got a few patches near the railing and in the garden out back."
Monte's eyes narrowed, the muscle in his jaw twitching. "That's a solid lead. Someone from Colony House was here last night. I'm sure of it."
Boyd exhaled slowly, thinking. "We need Kristi to wake up. If someone from Colony House cracked…"
He trailed off, grim. "…that's a big problem."
Monte nodded once. "No shit."
Boyd paced a step, the boards creaking underfoot. "Alright. I'll go up there and talk to Donna. See if anyone's been acting strange."
Monte slipped the flower into his jacket pocket. "I'll head back to Miranda's. Keep an eye on Kristi. We can't let anything happen to her."
Boyd shook his head. "Kenny won't leave her side. Come with me instead... you've got good eyes."
He motioned toward the pocket where Monte had stashed the flower. "You saw that when I didn't."
Monte sighed but nodded. "Alright. But let's check on Kristi first, yeah? Make sure she's still breathing easy."
Boyd's expression softened. "Yeah. Okay."
Monte flicked the unlit cigarette into a trash bin and straightened his jacket.
Together, they stepped out of the infirmary, the door shutting with a heavy click behind them.
...
The sky was streaked with fading gold and gray, the last of the sunlight fighting through the clouds.
The two men walked side by side, their boots crunching over gravel.
Monte adjusted his holster, his eyes scanning the street automatically. "You ever think these things are watching us?"
Boyd grunted. "All the time."
Monte gave a humorless chuckle. "Good. Thought I was going crazy."
Boyd glanced at him. "You get used to that feeling around here."
They reached Miranda's porch.
Inside, the faint sound of voices drifted through the windows. Tabitha's gentle tone, Kenny's quiet reassurance.
Monte looked at Boyd. "Ready?"
Boyd nodded. "Let's make it quick."
He knocked once before opening the door.
As they stepped inside, the scent of breakfast and disinfectant mingled in the air.
The uneasy blend of life still clinging to something fragile.
Kristi lay asleep on the couch, her face pale but peaceful. Kenny sat close, watching over her, his expression hollow but determined.
He looked up when they entered. "How's the infirmary?"
Monte and Boyd exchanged a glance. Boyd spoke first. "We might have a lead."
Monte reached into his pocket, pulling out the small yellow flower. "Recognize this?"
Kenny frowned, shaking his head.
Monte's tone was steady. "Boyd says these only grow at Colony House."
Kenny's eyes widened slightly, realization dawning. "So whoever opened that door…"
Monte nodded grimly. "Was one of theirs."
Boyd rested a hand on Kenny's shoulder. "We're heading up there now. Stay here with Kristi."
Kenny nodded once, his voice firm. "Find out who did it."
Monte's voice was calm, but the steel underneath it was unmistakable. "Oh, we will."
He turned, following Boyd toward the door as the evening light cast a shadow behind him.
The road to Colony House stretched ahead, shadowed and silent.
...
The atmosphere inside the old mansion was thick. The was an undercurrent of unease running beneath the usual chatter.
People lingered in the common room, their voices hushed and nervous. Every whisper circled back to the same rumor.
"Something ran through town last night."
Donna stood near the fireplace, her arms crossed, trying to keep control of the growing anxiety.
"Listen up!" she said firmly, raising her voice just enough to cut through the tension.
"We don't know what Monte saw. Until we do, no one is going out after dark, and no one's going near the woods."
Her tone was hard, the kind that didn't invite argument.
But the faces staring back at her told another story. They were full of fear, doubt, and the first flickers of paranoia.
Someone muttered, "If those things are running now..."
Donna snapped, "They're not. We don't know what he saw. So stop jumping to conclusions."
The room quieted again, but not completely.
People broke off into smaller groups, whispering, arguing quietly.
From the corner, Kevin stood stiffly, his back to the wall, hands trembling.
His eyes darted from face to face and every whisper sounded like an accusation.
The voices in his head hadn't stopped since sunrise.
"You failed us, Kevin."
"He's still alive."
"You know what happens to failures…"
Kevin squeezed his eyes shut, gripping his arms tightly.
His breath came fast and uneven. His thoughts spiraled. If Monte had seen him, if anyone had… he'd be thrown in the box before the night was over.
He wasn't sure which fate scared him more. Boyd's punishment, or the monsters' wrath.
He stumbled toward the hallway, bumping into a table. No one seemed to notice except Julie, who watched him closely from across the room.
She frowned, her gut twisting. 'He's not right. Not since he disappeared last night.'
And now Monte had seen someone... something running. Her chest tightened. It has to be connected.
Before she could think on it longer, there was a hard knock at the door.
The sound startled the room into silence. Everyone turned toward the entrance, faces tense.
Donna's jaw tightened. She strode to the door and pulled it open.
Boyd and Monte stood on the porch, both looking grim. Boyd's tone was quiet but commanding.
"We need to speak with you. Privately."
Donna's eyes narrowed. "What's this about?"
Monte stepped forward, his tone low but serious. "Best if we don't talk in here."
Boyd reached forward and gently but firmly guided Donna outside.
Monte followed and shut the door behind them, cutting off the curious stares from inside.
The air was cool and damp, the faint scent of pine hanging between them.
Donna crossed her arms. "Alright, what the hell is going on?"
Boyd's voice was measured. "Quiet. We have reason to believe someone here at Colony House opened the infirmary door last night."
Donna froze, her brow furrowing. "That's not possible. None of my people would risk it. And even if they tried... They'd never make it to town and back alive."
Monte reached into his jacket and pulled out a small yellow flower, its petals still bright despite the day's wear.
"We found this at the infirmary," Monte said evenly.
Donna's expression flickered. She recognized it immediately. The same flowers that grew just a few feet away under the railing.
She crossed her arms tighter. "That doesn't prove anything. People trade stuff all the time. Maybe someone had one on them."
Boyd shook his head. "It's the only lead we've got. And Monte saw something running last night. You and I both know those things don't run."
Donna hesitated, her gaze turning distant. "They don't…" she murmured. "They stalk, they play…"
Monte stepped closer. "This wasn't one of them. It was fast... human fast."
Donna exhaled through her nose, processing. "Say you're right. Say someone from here actually made it all the way over there last night. How are you gonna find out who it was?"
Boyd's tone was calm but resolute. "We'll start by looking around. Talking to people."
Monte added, "Maybe we get lucky. People who lie always slip up eventually."
Donna sighed heavily, glancing back toward the door. "Fine. But don't go scaring everyone. They're already on edge after hearing about the runner."
Monte's voice lowered, sharp. "They should be on edge. Two people are dead. Whoever opened that door… they're walking free in there right now."
Donna nodded grimly. "I'll help however I can."
Boyd gave a short nod. "Good. Let's start with calm questions and see who cracks."
Monte smirked faintly. "Calm's not exactly my style, but I'll try."
Donna shot him a warning glare, but Monte's eyes glinted. Donna huffed before turning to the door.
She took a breath, schooled her expression into something neutral, and stepped back inside.
Monte followed, shutting the door firmly behind them.
The hum of conversation returned as they entered. people pretending they weren't curious about what happened behind that door.
Donna forced a small, practiced smile and said, "Everything's fine. Just checking in with our guests."
Monte's eyes scanned the room, lingering on Kevin. He was trying a little too hard to look inconspicuous in the corner.
Boyd caught Monte's glance and gave a subtle nod.
Whatever was hiding in Colony House…
They were getting close.
...
Boyd and Monte split up to question the residents, hoping to find the one responsible for the infirmary tragedy.
Monte sat calmly with Fatima and Ellis in the sunlit common room, his voice low and measured.
"Did either of you see anyone leave last night? Anything out of place?"
Fatima shook her head quickly. "No… everyone was inside before dark."
Ellis added, "Nobody goes out after curfew. You'd have to be suicidal."
Monte nodded slightly, studying their faces. "Right. Just checking."
Across the room, Boyd was questioning Trudy and a few others, his deep voice carrying quietly through the tension-filled space.
In the midst of the slow, methodical questioning, Kevin slipped away.
His movements were stiff, jittery... as if he couldn't decide whether to run or hide.
From across the room, Julie noticed. Something about the way he moved set her stomach twisting.
She hesitated only a second before following him up the stairs.
Kevin disappeared into a small side room.
Julie crept closer, keeping to the walls. She could hear him mumbling to himself inside the room.
Broken words spilling out between frantic breaths.
"She knows… he's still alive… they'll kill me if I don't finish it… If I can't get everyone home... Prove it was the right choice."
Her blood ran cold.
Julie took a careful step back. Ready to turn and slip away to get Monte or Boyd, but before she could move again, the door swung open.
Kevin froze in the doorway, eyes wide, pupils blown.
Julie stood there, caught... frozen like a deer in headlights.
"Kevin," she whispered, her voice trembling.
His expression twisted into panic and rage. "You shouldn't have come up here."
Julie barely had time to inhale before Kevin lunged, clamping a hand over her mouth.
She kicked and clawed at him, muffled screams breaking through his grip.
"Monte!" she managed to shout once, her voice echoing faintly down the stairs before Kevin silenced her again.
Dragging her into the room and slamming the door shut.
...
Monte was midway through a calm conversation with Ben when the faint sound reached him... distant, but unmistakable.
A scream.
He froze. His gaze darted to the staircase.
Then, beside him, the Boy in White appeared. His voice was barely above a whisper.
"You have to save her."
Monte's pulse spiked. He didn't question it.
He bolted for the stairs.
Donna stepped into his path, startled. "Monte! Upstairs is for residents only..."
Monte didn't even slow down. He shoved past her, sending her stumbling back, and took the stairs two at a time.
Donna recovered and chased after him.
Boyd, hearing the commotion, broke off his conversation and followed.
Behind them, the residents murmured nervously.
Fatima and Ellis exchanged worried looks before running after the others.
Monte reached the landing and saw the Boy in White again, standing silently at the far end of the hall, pointing to a door.
Monte didn't hesitate.
He sprinted down the hallway and slammed his shoulder into the door, bursting it open with a crash.
Kevin spun around, startled. His face twisted with fear and fury.
Julie was lying limp on the floor behind him.
Something inside Monte snapped.
He closed the distance in two strides and threw a brutal right cross that cracked against Kevin's jaw.
The smaller man crumpled, but Monte didn't stop. He mounted him, raining down a storm of fists. Left, right, left, each hit heavier than the last.
Donna and Boyd rushed into the room, just in time to see Monte's fists slick with blood.
"Monte! Stop!" Boyd grabbed his arm, straining to pull him back.
Donna joined him, both of them trying to pry Monte off the beaten man.
"Monte!" Boyd barked again. "Calm down!"
Monte thrashed, breathing hard, rage blinding him.
Then... a flash of movement.
Kevin, barely conscious, fumbled with a small knife hidden in his sleeve. His hand shot upward and drove it into Monte's side.
Monte froze, eyes wide, the air leaving his lungs in a sharp hiss.
Boyd and Donna followed his gaze.
Their expressions turned to horror as they saw the blood spreading across Monte's gray shirt.
They instinctively let go, and Monte stumbled back a step, one hand pressed to his wound.
Kevin tried to rise... but Monte's boot snapped forward, connecting squarely with his chin.
The sound of impact echoed through the room, followed by the dull clatter of the knife hitting the floor.
Kevin collapsed, completely out cold.
Donna stood frozen, Boyd panting beside her.
Fatima and Ellis arrived in the doorway, taking in the chaotic scene.
Kevin unconscious, Julie motionless, Monte standing, pressing a hand to his bleeding side.
Fatima rushed to Julie's side, checking her pulse. "She's okay," she said quickly. "Just knocked out."
Monte exhaled, shoulders relaxing slightly as he limped closer, hand still clutching his side.
He looked down at Julie, his voice quiet and steady. "She's fine. That's all that matters."
Fatima looked up at him, concern clear in her face. "Monte, you should sit down."
Monte nodded faintly, the adrenaline fading now, pain settling in. "Yeah," he muttered. "Maybe I should."
He sank onto the edge of the bed, blood running down his side, eyes never leaving Julie's face.