Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace (Dexter) novel Chapter 381

If I've always lived in the shadows, please don't show me the light...

If you give me light, don't toss me back into pitch darkness where I can't see my hand in front of my face.

Suddenly, the room lit up.

All I could see was a stark white wall, with something that looked like blood spelling out those two sentences.

My eyes couldn't adjust to the sudden brightness, and I instinctively closed them, my whole body shaking uncontrollably with fear.

Rubbing away the tears brought on by the glare, I nervously scanned my surroundings.

I woke up on an old, decrepit operating table, an IV hooked to my wrist. Glancing up, I realized it was filled with the same kind of nutrient solution used for coma patients, the same kind they used when I was turned into a specimen, displayed inside a glass cabinet.

I fearfully looked down at my body.

My clothes were gone, replaced by a hospital gown. In a panic, I pulled out the IV and frantically checked for any wounds, incisions, anything.

It must have been a long sleep; my vision went dark, and my legs gave way as I tried to stand, collapsing onto the floor.

Shivering all over, I fought to regain some semblance of sanity.

I can't go on like this... I need to replenish my energy.

Supporting myself against the bed, I looked at the bag hanging from the hook. It was a fatty nutrient solution, something to stave off my overwhelming thirst.

Suppressing my disgust, I drank the solution from the bag.

Taking a moment to calm my racing heart, I took another look around.

Apart from the chilling message written in blood on the wall and the operating table, the room was eerily clean, not a single hair out of place.

This must be some sort of medical facility...

Not daring to make any sudden moves, I pulled the IV stand closer, gripping it tightly, ready to defend myself.

The quiet was suddenly broken by a series of loud knocks.

I crept to the door, pressing my ear against it to catch any sounds from outside.

People were screaming, pounding on the doors. "Where is this, let me out!"