Chapter Eight

Cass slowly regained consciousness, her eyes fluttering open to the sterile white walls of the hospital room.

The rhythmic beeping of the machines echoed in her ears as she tried to make sense of what had happened. The events leading up to her current state slowly flooded back into her mind.

She remembered waiting at the park, eager to meet the nurse who held a vital piece of information about Mrs. Anderson's case.

Before their meeting could take place, chaos erupted as the nurse was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

In the commotion, Cass was also attacked, stabbed by an unknown assailant. The pain from her wound still throbbed, a reminder of the danger she had faced.

As Cass glanced around the hospital room, she noticed her sister, Scarlet, sitting by her bedside, her eyes red and swollen from crying. Relief washed over her as she realized she was not alone in this ordeal.

"Scar," Cass croaked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What happened? How did I end up here?"

Scarlet's e