Thirty-five

Pov

Tessa

In the hospital room, I found myself immersed in anxiety as I awaited my release. The past hours had been marked by intense pain, prompting Bennett and Mason to decide to bring me in for examination. The doctors assured that I would soon be discharged, but uncertainty hung in the air like a dark cloud.

Moonlight filtered through the curtains, turning the room into a scene of dancing shadows. I was alone, lost in my own thoughts, when a dark figure moved through the corridor. A wave of fear washed over me, freezing my body in alert.

"Who's there?" my voice came out in a trembling whisper, echoing in the room's silence.

The shadow advanced slowly, its silent steps echoing like the flapping of a night bird's wings. I sat up in bed, watching with a mix of fascination and apprehension, my senses sharpened by the tension.

Before I could fully comprehend what was happening, the door snapped open and Bennett and Mason entered, their expressions reflecting concern for me.

Their arrival brought a brief relief, but also a sense of apprehension as I noticed the seriousness in their gaze. They approached the window, investigating something outside, leaving me uneasy with the possibility of something wrong.

"There's someone out there," I murmured, pointing to the indistinct shadow in the corridor.

They exchanged worried looks before turning their attention back to me. There was a palpable tension in the air, as if something important was about to be revealed.

"Tessa, there's something we need to tell you," Bennett began, his voice serious and determined. "About what we found out."

My heart began to race in my chest, anxiety taking hold of me. "What is it?" I asked, my voice trembling with apprehension.

Bennett and Mason shared a quick glance before Bennett turned back to me. "We found out that Loomis didn't die," he revealed, his words hitting me like a bolt of lightning.

A chill ran down my spine as I processed the gravity of the news. Loomis alive? The idea was overwhelming, shattering the fragile sense of security I had.

"B-but how?" I stammered, struggling to comprehend the enormity of the situation.

Mason approached, his expression serious and determined. "There was a mistake in identifying the body. Loomis is alive and remains a threat."

A growing sense of despair washed over me, leaving me trembling with fear and uncertainty. How could we face such a relentless enemy?

"What are we going to do?" I whispered, my voice choked with a sense of helplessness.

Bennett placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, conveying determination. "We'll find a way to end this," he promised, his voice firm and resolute.

As he spoke, a sudden sound echoed down the corridor, halting our conversation. We exchanged anxious glances, a sense of dread settling over us. Whatever it was, it seemed to be approaching rapidly.

With my heart racing in my chest, I remained still, straining to hear the approaching footsteps. Each one seemed to reverberate like a thundering drumbeat, heightening the tension in the air.

The footsteps drew nearer until they finally ceased just outside the door of the room. The ensuing silence was heavy, signaling an imminent moment of significance.

Bennett and Mason shared a quick, tense glance, their silent communication laden with urgency. I sat on the edge of the bed, a sense of anticipation building within me.

Then, without warning, the door swung open with a creak, revealing a familiar figure in the doorway. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized Loomis's face, his sinister smile illuminated by the light from the corridor.

"Surprise, dear Tessa," he said, his voice dripping with malice. A shiver ran down my spine as I rose from the bed, my legs trembling with a mixture of fear and resolve. "What do you want?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me.

Loomis took a step forward, his eyes glinting with a cruel intensity. "You, of course," he replied, his smile widening. "I've come to finish what I started."

Before I could react, Mason lunged forward with relentless fury, his fists clenched and ready for combat. A loud thud echoed through the room as he landed a precise blow on Loomis, the sound of impact reverberating like thunder in the quiet of the night.

Loomis staggered backward, his face twisted in pain and surprise. For a moment, he seemed dazed, unable to process what had just happened. But then, a cruel smile spread across his lips, an expression of pure malice that sent shivers down my spine.

"Do you think you can stop me so easily, Mason?" Loomis growled, his voice laden with a sinister challenge.

Mason braced himself for another attack, his stance tense with the determination to defeat the enemy before him. I watched with bated breath, fearing what might happen next. But despite Mason's courage, I knew we were far from safe. Loomis was a cunning and ruthless adversary, and facing him could cost us more than we could bear.