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墨書 Inktalez
The next day, when Carter stepped into the Campaign Headquarters, he quickly sensed an unusual atmosphere.
The office appeared much like any other day, with the sound of computer keyboards clattering, volunteers printing election documents, party workers organizing event plans, and phone operators busy answering calls from supporters. Everything seemed to be running as usual.
But something was off about the people.
As soon as Carter crossed the threshold, he felt several pairs of eyes turn toward him. When he looked up, those gazes immediately scurried away like startled mice.
He walked slowly into the office area, and along the way, everyone seemed to be going about their work as if nothing was amiss, yet the atmosphere exuded a strange sense of unnaturalness.
A few employees who had been whispering quickly fell silent upon seeing him, pretending to be engrossed in their tasks; others were huddled together not far from him, whispering while frequently glancing his way, as if words were stuck in their throats but they dared not speak them.
Carter furrowed his brow slightly. He didn’t know what was happening, but he was certain that something was definitely amiss.
He didn’t ask any questions; instead, he began his work methodically, pretending not to notice the peculiar stares around him.
Yet inside, he was beginning to feel a growing unease.
As time ticked by, the strange atmosphere did not dissipate; rather, it became more pronounced with each passing moment.
By afternoon, Carter noticed another odd thing—Keisha had not come to work today.
This was absolutely abnormal.
Keisha was always punctual; she was the type who arrived early at headquarters to help organize documents. Unless there were special circumstances, she never arrived late.
But now it was already afternoon, and she still hadn’t shown up or even sent him a message. This only intensified Carter’s sense of unease.
He began to recall the events of last night; everything had been normal, even perfect. She had dinner with him, walked to the station, and then waved goodbye...
She was perfectly fine last night. How could she just be gone today?
Carter's fingers unconsciously tapped on the table as his gaze darkened.
What on earth happened at headquarters today?
As night fell, the lights in the headquarters remained bright, yet Carter's heart gradually sank into darkness.
Keisha still hadn’t shown up.
She was never late and would never be absent for such a long time without reason.
Carter finally couldn’t hold back any longer. He took out his phone, quickly searched for her contact, and pressed the call button.
Beep—beep—beep—
The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered.
His brows furrowed deeper, and the unease in his heart felt like it was being stirred violently, beginning to surge.
Something was off; it was definitely not right.
He stood up and scanned the office, only to notice that his secretary was standing at the reception desk, speaking quietly with the receptionist. Their expressions were serious, as if discussing something extremely important.
Carter strode over and asked directly, “Do you know why Keisha hasn’t come in today?”
The secretary furrowed her brow, seemingly caught off guard by Carter's sudden question. She shook her head slightly and replied in a calm tone, "I don't know either. Didn't she take a leave?"
Carter was about to press for more details when he noticed the receptionist at the front desk suddenly pale, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at him, as if she had witnessed something unimaginable.
His heart raced, and he turned to her, "What’s wrong?"
The receptionist's lips trembled as if she were unsure whether to speak. Finally, in a shaky voice, she managed to utter a few words—
"Keisha... was mugged last night on the road... beaten badly... now... in the Intensive Care Unit..."
Carter's mind went blank in an instant, as if the world had stopped at that moment.
He stood frozen, feeling as though an invisible hand had tightly grasped his stomach, a choking sensation rising in his throat, and his chest felt like it was about to explode.
"What...?" His voice was low and stiff, as if it were being squeezed out from his throat.
Mugged? Severely injured? Intensive Care Unit?
His brain struggled to connect these words into a coherent story, but he couldn't accept the reality of it. Just last night, he had said goodbye to her and watched her smile as she walked into the station. How could this be happening?
"Which hospital is she in?" Carter forced the tremor out of his voice, nearly demanding an answer.
The receptionist jumped at his urgency and quickly provided the name of the hospital. Without asking anything further, Carter turned and rushed toward the door without looking back.
His footsteps were heavy, breaths rapid; the mix of anger and anxiety in his chest clouded his thoughts—
Was it just a simple mugging, or... had someone set this up?
The night enveloped the hospital, its corridors illuminated by cold white lights that exuded an oppressive and lifeless atmosphere, as if even the air had become stagnant.
Carter burst into the hospital, his footsteps heavy and labored, gasping for breath as his chest heaved as if it might explode. Cold sweat mixed with anxiety and fear dripped from his forehead.
"Kesha Houghton! Where is she? Which room is she in?!" he shouted at the reception desk, his voice hoarse and nearly a scream.
The nurse was startled by his sudden outburst, momentarily taken aback as she tried to calm him with a steady tone. "Sir, please calm down. I need you to provide—"
"Calm down?! How am I supposed to calm down?!" Carter slammed his fist on the desk, his eyes wild like a beast, filled with uncontrolled rage and terror. "Where is she? Tell me now!"
The nurse's expression tightened with concern, and the surrounding medical staff cast wary glances in their direction. Two security guards quietly moved closer, ready to intervene.
"Sir, please listen to me—" The nurse held her ground against the pressure, her voice firm. "I understand you’re worried, but this is a hospital. Your behavior is affecting other patients. Please try to calm down, alright?"
Carter took a deep breath, his fists clenched tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hands. He struggled to suppress the turmoil and fear within him, but his heart continued to pound violently against his chest, as if it might burst at any moment.
Seeing him slightly calmer, the nurse cautiously continued, "Kesha Houghton’s condition… is not optimistic."
Carter's pupils flickered slightly, as if he had been struck hard in the gut; even his breath seemed to stall for a moment.
The nurse pressed on, "When she was found, she was already lying in an alley, her abdomen pierced by a sharp object, and she had lost too much blood… Moreover… she had been there for at least an hour…"
"She… may not survive. She is currently in the Palliative Care Unit."
Carter stood frozen.
Palliative Care Unit.
The three words struck him like a cold dagger, piercing straight into his heart, causing his blood to freeze in an instant.
"What...?" His voice trembled, as if a stone were lodged in his throat. "You... you mean... she's not going to make it?"
The nurse said nothing, only lowered her head and silently nodded.
Carter's body swayed slightly, as if the entire world had collapsed around him.
He grasped the edge of the counter, struggling to steady himself, but the sharp pain in his heart rendered him unable to think. An indescribable despair and anger churned within him, like an uncontrollable storm.
Keisha... the woman who had smiled and said goodbye to him just yesterday... was now lying in the Palliative Care Unit, waiting for death to arrive?
No, it couldn't be...
This shouldn't be happening...
"Take me to see her," Carter said in a low voice, no longer the furious shout from before but a hoarse whisper suppressed to its limit. "Now, immediately."
The nurse glanced at him and finally nodded, turning to walk down the corridor in a certain direction.
Carter took a deep breath and followed her with heavy steps, each one feeling like he was stepping into an abyss.
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