Alexander sent Anastasia home, assuring her to avoid overthinking and to prioritize rest and meals. He instructed her to contact him immediately if she received another message. Despite her agreement, her frown lingered.
He remained silent, knowing his words would ring hollow. They both understood his intentions, yet the reality of the situation made optimism difficult for her. Words were cheap, a fact mirroring his own anxieties about his wife's safety. He found solace only in trusting her self-protective abilities. Besides Lily, he was also responsible for finding Cameron.
The situation grew increasingly complicated.
Lily awoke to a still car, indicating her arrival. Her mind slowly cleared. She pieced together her last memories: entering a car with Rick, being blindfolded, and then… nothing. She recalled a lingering scent before losing consciousness. Now, she had no idea of her location, whether she was still in Kingsland or Hyderland, or how long she had been asleep.
Still blindfolded, she felt only darkness. Thankfully, the mist hadn't seriously harmed her or her unborn twins.
"The babies…"
This thought spurred her to move. Her hands were free, though numb from prolonged unconsciousness. Gritting her teeth, she worked to remove the blindfold. The sudden light made her squint, but her vision gradually adjusted. Only then did she see her surroundings.
Surprisingly, it wasn't a basement or a secret room—no dim lighting or hard floor. Instead, she lay comfortably on a king-size bed in a luxurious room. She was alone.
This was far beyond her expectations. She'd anticipated a dark place, a prison cell, but her current environment was far more comfortable. Still, this didn't equate to safety. Her apprehension grew regarding the perpetrators' identity.
"If we're still in Hyderland, their illicit activities must remain secret. Yet, they could so openly place me in a luxurious room—a testament to their frightening power."
After some reflection, Lily rose, supporting her abdomen. Her body grew heavier daily. All she desired was resolution before giving birth, a return to normalcy.
Galen, and her unborn twins, deserved a safe, nurturing environment, not one rife with viruses and mutations.
"Perhaps this world will eventually perish, but mankind's inventions shouldn't cause such human suffering."