Not A Small-Town Girl

stepping inside.

Shadow Fortress was vast, its interior housing a well- equipped laboratory. Danielle needed to witness the situation firsthand before she could proceed with her research on the virus antidote.

Danielle entered the ward, her eyes taking in the sight of her men writhing in agony on their beds. Their skin was rotting in patches, the infection spreading rapidly, each one enduring unspeakable pain.

"Miss Darling, you’re here," one croaked, their voice barely audible.

"Miss Darling, it hurts so much..."

"Please save us. We don’t want to die..."

"Miss Darling, leave before you get infected too!"

The Fortress doctor, Paul, rushed over, relief flooding his face. "Thank goodness, you’re here. We might have a chance now." Danielle’s tone was clinical. "Give me the details."

Paul didn’t hesitate. "The virus originated from a lab that popped up recently. They’re testing it, but it’s already devastating. It starts with fever and rashes, then progresses to unbearable pain, skin decay, and eventually organ failure."

Since the first case of infection appeared in Fortress, Paul had been watching helplessly, his heart racing with anxiety. He’d tried everything, but there was still no solution.

"Miss Darling," Paul said with a helpless sigh, "We’ve given them the Miracle Antidote you brought, but it’s only providing temporary relief."

The men lying on the beds, suffering with their skin decaying, were running out of time. If they couldn’t find a cure within three days, they would die from organ failure. It was a fate Paul couldn’t bear to witness.

Danielle’s eyes hardened with a chilling coldness. ’Those damned bastards... to create such a virus... Her thoughts burned with fury. ’They deserve nothing less than hell.