In the women's restroom—
"Arrhhh!"
A painful cry echoed from one of the stalls. The sound startled the woman who had been washing her hands at the sink. She paused, glancing over her shoulder toward the closed stall door with a look of concern.
"Ma'am... are you alright? Do you need... any help?"
There was a pause, followed by a shaky, strained voice.
"Y-Yes... I-I'm fine... just a headache, that's all."
Though her tone tried to sound composed, it was clear she was in discomfort. The woman at the sink hesitated for a moment, unsure, but eventually nodded to herself. She dried her hands, gave the door a final concerned glance, and quietly exited the restroom.
Silence settled.
For a few seconds, nothing moved. No sound, no rustling. The room felt still—eerily so.
Then—
Thud!
The stall door creaked open, and Raphael staggered out.
