Jennifer and the man stood over Adrian's unconscious body in silence.
The room hummed softly with machinery hidden somewhere behind the walls. White lights reflected against the steel restraints around his wrists. His chest rose faintly. Barely enough to reassure someone he was still alive.
Jennifer's eyes never left him.
The man noticed that first.
Not the machines.
Not the blood dried beneath Adrian's nose.
Her.
The way she looked at him.
Like something holy.
It disgusted him.
He stepped closer to the bed.
Jennifer immediately moved too.
Wrong decision.
The lighter flicked open with a sharp metallic sound.
A tiny flame bloomed beside Adrian's leg.
Jennifer froze so fast it almost looked painful.
"Don't," she said.
There was no authority. No calm calculation.
It was just fear.
Actual fear.
The man saw it immediately.
And smiled.
"Then I'd advise you not to come any closer."
Jennifer's jaw tightened hard enough to twitch.
