Wendy and Sebastian were walking down the hospital corridor, heading toward Julian's room. The sharp smell of antiseptic stung their noses, but their minds were elsewhere.
"It seems like you'll have to work with us for a long time if you want to write that article," Sebastian said quietly, scanning every corner of the hallway.
"Ah, of course," Wendy replied, gripping her notebook tightly.
"Until this case is completely solved, I'm not free."
Sebastian nodded slowly. "I like how you take responsibility seriously."
Wendy smirked. "Oh really? You're just saying that because I notice everything you missed."
They turned the corner toward Julian's room. The hallway was eerily quiet, save for the distant beeping of machines from other wards.
Suddenly—
"BANG!"
A sharp crack echoed through the corridor. Both froze.
Sebastian's eyes widened. Without thinking, he sprinted forward. Wendy followed close behind, adrenaline pumping.
When they reached Julian's room, the door was wide open. Julian lay on the floor, clutching his right hand—blood seeping between his fingers.
"Julian!" Sebastian shouted.
Julian forced a grin, wincing through the pain. "Ah… well… I guess I can't write with this hand… perfect timing, huh?"
Sebastian's jaw tightened. He forced himself to stay calm. "Stay still. Don't move."
Wendy had already darted to the nurse's station. "Doctor! Doctor! Now!"
Sebastian crouched beside Julian, inspecting the wound. "The angle… this is deliberate. Whoever did this wanted us to see it."
Julian tried to sit up. "Message received… loud and clear… Hey Seb, maybe I should start carrying body armor…"
Sebastian ignored the humor, his eyes locked on Julian's pale, sweating face. "Stay conscious. That's more important than jokes."
For a few tense moments, Julian kept talking, joking through pain, keeping Sebastian slightly steady.Then, suddenly, his eyelids drooped.
"I… I think… I'm—"He collapsed, fainting.
Sebastian's calm shattered. He grabbed Julian's shoulders, shaking him lightly. "No! Stay with me! Wake up!"
Wendy returned with a doctor and nurse, eyes wide with urgency. "Hurry! Move him onto the bed!"
Together, they lifted Julian carefully. Sebastian's hands shook as adrenaline surged through him. Panic clawed at his chest.He cast a sharp glance down the corridor. The window at the far end was empty. The shadow of the assailant had vanished.
Sebastian muttered under his breath, voice tight: "They're gone… for now but we don't know what might happen in the future "
He looked at Wendy, still breathing heavily. "We cannot let them disappear again. She's sending a message. And next time…"
Julian groaned weakly from the bed. "Next time… I'll bring a bigger sandwich…"
Wendy rolled her eyes, but a small smile appeared on her face.Sebastian didn't notice. His gaze remained on the empty hallway, fists clenched.