Reflections of the Damned

At the Doors of Sujay

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting an orange glow over the crumbling facade of Sujay Psychiatry Hospital. The once-imposing structure loomed before them, its shattered windows dark and lifeless. Vines and moss crept up its weathered stone walls, wrapping it in a shroud of decay. The air was heavy, carrying the faint metallic tang of rust and something more sinister.

Lara sat on the edge of the lead truck, her body slumped against the frame as Elias knelt before her. He worked silently, his hands deftly bandaging the wound on her arm. The faint red glow that had surrounded her earlier had long since faded, leaving her pale and cold.

Her eyes, which once brimmed with life, now stared blankly at the ground. She hadn't spoken since the forest, and Elias could feel the weight of her silence like a stone pressing on his chest.

"Lara," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're going to be okay."

She didn't respond, her head lolling slightly to the side.

Elias gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay composed. He leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

Margot paced in front of the group, her rifle slung over one shoulder. Her sharp voice cut through the heavy silence. "Everyone, get your supplies and weapons ready. This isn't going to be a walk in the park."

Jack nodded, his face grim as he double-checked the ammunition in his pistol. Caleb, still shaken from the chase, tightened his grip on his machete, his hands trembling slightly. Lyn sat off to the side, staring at Lara with a mixture of concern and fear.

As the group moved about, Elias stood, turning his attention to the massive, rusted doors ahead. He felt Lyn's presence before she spoke, her small hand lightly touching his arm.

"Elias," she said softly, her voice tinged with urgency.

"What is it?" he asked, not turning to look at her.

"I need to talk to you," she said. "Alone."

Elias hesitated, his gaze flickering back to Lara, but he finally nodded. "Make it quick."

They stepped away from the group, stopping near a crumbled section of the hospital's outer wall. Lyn glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was listening before speaking.

"She's not the same, Elias," Lyn said, her voice low but firm.

Elias's expression darkened, his jaw tightening. "She's been through hell. Of course, she's not the same. It's shock, Lyn. She just needs time."

"No," Lyn said, shaking her head. "It's not just shock. I saw it back there, in the forest. The power she used—that wasn't normal. It wasn't human."

Elias crossed his arms, his tone sharp. "We don't even know what normal is in this damned place. She's strong, stronger than anyone gives her credit for. That's all it was."

Lyn stepped closer, her eyes wide with desperation. "Elias, listen to me. That power—it's the power of a creator."

Elias's brows furrowed, his confusion momentarily overriding his irritation. "What are you talking about?"

"She's not the creator herself," Lyn clarified, her voice trembling. "But she's tied to them. She's a subject to the creator, Elias. And if that's true…" She hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper. "She knows them."

Elias stared at her, his mind reeling. "You're not making any sense."

"She's the key, Elias," Lyn insisted. "The key to the City's mystery. To everything. But if the others knew—if they realized what she might be—it would tear us apart. I didn't say anything earlier because I couldn't risk it."

Elias exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. "You don't know what you're talking about. Stop spilling this nonsense."

Lyn grabbed his arm, her grip surprisingly strong. "Elias, you need to open your eyes. If we don't figure this out, the City will destroy us. All of us."

Elias pulled his arm away, his tone sharp. "Enough, Lyn. Not now."

As they returned to the group, Roman sat hunched near the truck, his shoulders shaking. Tears streaked his dirt-streaked face, and he clutched his backpack like a lifeline.

"Roman," Margot said, her tone exasperated. "Get it together. We need you focused."

"I can't do this," Roman muttered, his voice barely audible. "I can't go in there."

Margot knelt in front of him, her voice cold and sharp. "You don't have a choice."

Roman looked up at her, his eyes filled with desperation. "This place isn't just another ruin. It's alive. And it's hungry. You'll see. You'll all see."

Margot straightened, shaking her head in frustration. "Pathetic," she muttered under her breath.

Elias ignored the exchange, stepping forward to address the group.

"This is it," he said, his voice cutting through the tension. "Whatever's in there, we face it together. Stay close. Stay quiet. And if things go south, you don't stop. You keep moving. Understood?"

The group nodded, their expressions grim.

Elias turned to the massive, rusted doors, placing his hands on their surface. The metal was ice-cold, sending a shiver through him. He glanced back at Lara one last time, his heart tightening in his chest.

Then, with a deep breath, he pushed the doors open.

The doors groaned loudly, the sound reverberating through the still air like a death knell. A gust of cold air rushed out, carrying with it the stench of rot and mildew.

The group stepped inside cautiously, their weapons drawn. The darkness was oppressive, swallowing the faint light that spilled in from the setting sun.

The hallway before them was long and narrow, lined with cracked tiles and peeling paint. Faint red symbols glowed faintly on the walls, pulsing like a heartbeat. The air felt thick, almost tangible, as if the building itself was watching them.

Roman whimpered softly, his knees buckling as Margot pulled him forward. "Don't stop," she hissed.

Elias led the way, his sharp eyes scanning every shadow for movement. He could feel Lara's presence behind him, her quiet breaths unnerving him more than the silence around them.

Whatever awaited them in the depths of Sujay, it was already awake.