"Mr. Hans," the medic immediately bowed with deference.


    Everyone in this facility knew Alexia and Hans. They were the ones in charge, the ones whose orders were to be followed without question. To the grunts working here, they were at the top of the pyramid, oblivious to the fact that there were always bigger fish, greater powers at y.


    "How has she been thesest few days?" Hans asked, his face a nk mask.


    "She''s had some adverse reactions, but so far, no signs of organ failure. She looks frail, but her constitution is surprisingly strong, tougher than some of the male subjects." The medic sneered. "However, after today''s fourth injection, who knows if she''ll make it. Four subjects died during the fourth dosest month. We already sent them to the incinerator."


    Hans''s jaw tightened. "I gave orders that this woman was to be kept alive. She has a purposeter. At this rate, she won''tst long."


    The medic looked confused. "But Ms. Alexia instructed us to proceed with the standard experimental protocol. There were no special arrangements..."


    Hans''s lips thinned into a hard line. He instantly understood Alexia''s cruel scheme. Chad had hidden Elsie here because it was remote and because her life could be used as leverage against Evadne and Elvis. But Alexia knew Chad didn''t actually care if Elsie lived or died. If she died during an experiment, it would be chalked up to her own weakness, a death that served a purpose. The boss wouldn''t reprimand them too harshly.


    "Give me the syringe. I''ll administer it today. You can go," Hans said, snatching the case from his hands without waiting for an answer.


    The medic hesitated for a moment, then left without a word.


    Hans''s expression was grim as he pushed open the door and his tall, lean frame disappeared into the darknessked the door behind him, switched on a dim yellow light and walked toward the bed where Elsiey.


    Hearing footsteps, Elsie had a violent stress reaction. Her pupils constricted, her limbs twitched, and even her organs seemed to spasm in terror.


    "Elsie, it''s me," Hans said, his tall frame shielding her from the camera''s view.


    Elsie''s bloodshot eyes widened, her colorless face trembling uncontrobly. Her thin, frail hand shot out and gripped the corner of Hans''s coat, her voice a dry, broken whisper. "Hubery..."


    Hans''s heart stopped, a tremor running through his entire body.


    "Hubery... help me..." After days of holding it all in, the sight of Hans finally broke Elsie''s resolve, and tears streamed down her face. "Please don''t let


    like this anymorem torture me


    Or just kill me Put me out of my misery!"


    Hans remained cold and detached, pulling out a syringe. Elsie''s heart sank to the pit of her stomach as a bitter, hopeless smile touched her lips. She was truly desperate, to have ced her hope in ang of Chad''s men. How pathetic


    Without a word, Hans plunged the needle into Elsie''s pale arm and injected the


    contents. As he did, he leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Don''t be scared. It''s


    not the drug. I just gave you a vitamin shot."


    ***