"Violet," a voice called, familiar and steady. "Open the door."
Her heart leaped. "Cain?"
Her voice trembled, a mix of relief and desperation. She scrambled to her feet, dashing instantly for the door lock. Her fingers fumbled with the lock before finally wrenching the door open without fear, confident that the voice could only belong to one person.
"Cain!" she gasped, relieved to see him standing there before her—tall, his sleeves rolled up, blond hair falling slightly over his forehead, and eyes that bore into hers. The blood splattered on his face seemed out of place, almost painted on, like an ill-fitting mask. Yet, despite the alarms and the madness, his presence calmed her, if only for a moment.
"You're... You're back so soon?" Violet stammered, her gaze flicking nervously behind him to the hallway a second before he slammed the door shut.
"What's happening out there? The alarms—" Her words spilled out quickly, frantic.
