The rain intensified. Every drop pounding against the windshield amplified the mounting dread inside Nancy. Though Davis pushed the car forward with urgency, his mind was consumed by the chilling details she had just revealed.
"Nancy," Davis called out softly.
She looked at him, her silence heavy with unspoken fear.
"That fluid you mentioned... is it still in your body?" he asked, casting a quick, sidelong glance at her.
Nancy didn't answer immediately. She looked down at her hands nothing was visible on the surface. But she could feel a strange sensation in her throat, as if something viscous was lodged there.
"No," she whispered. "But something is stirring inside me. I can feel it."
Davis watched her through the rearview mirror. Outside, the rain fell in a relentless, grey torrent.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the city, the door to Shino 's room creaked open.
A foot, clad in a heavy black boot, stepped into the darkness. A shadow had breached the sanctuary. Water dripped from the intruder's coat, the rhythmic pitter-patter on the floor echoing the heartbeat of a predator. The figure moved deeper into the room, searching for something specific, something vital.
The car finally pulled up in front of Shino 's residence. In the gloom of the storm, the apartment building resembled a crumbling tomb more than a home.
"I never realized this place could look so terrifying," Davis remarked, staring up at the structure.
"Are you just realizing that now, Doctor?" Nancy replied, stepping out into the rain.
"No, it's just... none of this makes sense," Davis muttered, hurrying after her. "Why is this happening? First Shino, and now you. The dreams, the illusions... God, what have we stepped into?"
Nancy paused and turned to him. "Doctor, we don't have time to panic. We are the only ones who can handle this now. Shino needs my help. Whatever is coming, I am ready to face it."
"So am I," Davis replied, stepping up beside her.
As Nancy reached for the door handle to Shino 's room, it swung inward on its own.
"This...!!" She froze, her heart hammering against her ribs. "Davis! Someone's been here."
They stepped tentatively into the room, their eyes drawn to the fresh puddles of water on the floor.
"Someone was here just before us, Doctor."
Nancy walked in slowly as Davis flicked the light switch. The sudden glare revealed a scene of total chaos. The wardrobe was wide open, the desk drawers had been ripped out, and papers were strewn everywhere.
"Oh, God..." Davis gasped, surveying the wreckage.
"Someone is hunting for the same thing we are, Doctor," Nancy whispered.
"For what?" he asked, looking at her.
"Maybe for whatever took Shino."
Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps racing down the hallway reached Nancy's ears.
"Doctor! There!"
Davis and Nancy bolted toward the door, but it slammed shut, refusing to open.
"Sh**t!" Davis cursed, throwing his shoulder against the wood with a violent thud.
With a final, desperate heave, the door gave way. They scrambled into the hallway, but the intruder was gone. The stairwell was empty, save for the sound of the rain outside.
Dejected, they turned to head back, but then Nancy spotted something lying on the floor near where the figure had stood. A small, leather-bound book.
"This... this is Shino's diary. Is this what he was after?" Nancy's eyes went wide.
As she picked it up, a weathered photograph slipped from the pages and fluttered to the floor. It was a picture of an old, imposing estate. Nancy picked it up, her breath hitching as she studied the image. She had seen this place before in the blurred, terrifying visions of her unconscious mind.
"Davis..." she said, her voice trembling as she showed him the photo. "This is it. This is the place from my vision."
On the rusted iron gate in the photograph, a name hung in faded, peeling letters:
"ALBERT VILLA"