"If you would've just listened, maybe you wouldn't have had to sacrifice yourself." Hezekiah rose up, tightening his fist. "Then you simply would've been crippled when you left the hospital," he added.

  As she lay lifeless, he thought back to when he was instructed to create rules for the hospital. His expression tightened when he remembered how he did nothing but hesitate, until it was too late to save himself—let alone anyone else.

  He freed a heavy breath, a fleeting desire resurfacing the longer he looked at her.

  "Lucky you. At least you're not like me."

  Hezekiah turned toward the father and daughter, the latter holding the other's hand. Her skin didn't look like it would ever recover; even her bones could be seen. Her father didn't fare any better.

  "Wake up..." a weak whisper cried. She violently shook the body. "Come on! Open your eyes!" Tears streamed down, flying off her cheek as she desperately hoped for a response.

  "You said you wouldn't ever leave me!" She clenched his burnt gown, sobbing softly against his chest.

  Hezekiah held his stump, reminded he didn't have much time left. It was a miracle he was standing this long—but at the same time, he was still human.

  She'll probably die here if I leave her, but haven't I sacrificed enough?

  His stomach knotted, but almost dying once for them was one too many. The rules sheet appeared. There were already 13 rules. The last four were to bring Reed back or to deal with Ventice and Ayona.

  I'm fortunate it bothered giving me this much leeway. I guess it doesn't care how I use them, just that the rule can't be bluntly positive. To be frank, if that's the case, I can kiss goodbye to healing myself here.

  From the corner of his eye, he saw Sally standing before him. Her dried tears carved her face, looking deathly fatigued. The slight trembles made it seem she would collapse at any moment.

  "I hate you," she weakly stated, wincing each time she moved a muscle.

  "If you keep pushing yourself, the ambulance might not reach you in time." Hezekiah already had his pen in hand, preparing his departure.

  "You monster... Daddy and Mommy warned me about monsters like you."

  "Sounds like they cared about you. Must be nice to have parents like that."

  "And you took them away from me. They always kept me by their side for the fear of them. And I finally understand why."

  Hezekiah gave a light stare, raising his stump. "Well, this monster also lost his hand for the sake of two humans, so a monster isn't all that bad, right?"

  Sally softly bit her lip, a mountain pressing within her after hearing him. "Then... can you bring them back?"

  Resurrection? There's no way I can write that into existence. I mean, this is the Rule of Suffering we're talking about.

  He nevertheless tried to write it, only for the words to disappear immediately.

  —Due to not fulfilling your task, you're restricted from writing Positive Rules.

  Thought so. He rubbed his hair, taking another glance at Sally, who was moving awkwardly toward him.

  "I believe you're the youngest one to ask me that."

  "You won't do it?" she asked after seeing him troubled. Her head sunk, fearing she may have lost them forever. She continued to approach him, with slow but hesitant footsteps.

  I probably could somewhere else, but I have to worry about myself for now—and more importantly, my sister is probably going through worse than what this hospital has to offer.

  A thread locked his throat, not wishing to think what she has already been through. So much had been happening, he rarely had time to think about her. But since the nightmare was over, he could construct his next move.

  "Don't worry. The three of you will be together again. I'll make sure of that."

  Sally stopped moving, dropping the knife by her feet, thinking there was something wrong with her ears. "Wha-what? Do you mean it?"

  Hezekiah finished writing another rule, relieving a smile.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Thank goodness she stopped. Didn't want to resort to further measures.

  As soon as Hezekiah noticed the blade inside Reed was gone, it didn't take long to find where it went. Doesn't help that the only place to hide it was to hold it behind her. But even if she did succeed, the dagger would've liquidated anyway. But who knows if she would've stopped there.

  She had no intention of seeing them. I wonder, is this the first time a child tried taking my life—even as cunning as she tried to be?

  "Please, let me see them!" She clasped her hands, pressing her lips. Her heart ticked, praying he would deliver.

  "Sure."

  A deep silence soon followed. One that exists when no one is around.

  There was no sound, shuffling, or even a peep after the rule took effect. He scanned around himself, confirming its vacantness.

  "Even erasing another existence is possible? There really is no limit to what I can write. Now then—"

  He turned toward Ayona. A pin of frustration flickered. After changing pen states, he incinerated her corpse to nothingness.

  "Thanks to you, now I have to worry about a hit being put on me. I have enough of those as is."

  He made his way to Reed, with a hesitant expression. Reed was on his back, which suffered the worst burns.

  I see, that's why only Sally survived. It's a miracle there was even a 'him' at all. Perhaps Ayona was more pivotal to their survival than I thought.

  Is the appeal to die for others that great? Elaine didn't seem to lack that either, at least before I erased her memories. Even their sweet daughter tried to avenge them, after she believed they were both gone.

  Hezekiah held the pen toward Reed, disintegrating his body to nothingness. The orderless ash traced across his face; a slight chuckle escaped him, like a bad joke was whispered to him.

  "That blood lunatic can't possibly be more human than I am."

  Hezekiah summoned the rules sheet after Reed was no more. A tinge of regret burrowed as he wrote his departure.

  I wonder if I should've reminded Sally that her mother is still alive. Maybe if we found her, I could've discovered the mystery of why the Rules didn't affect their memories as intended. I do have a couple theories, but only one makes sense. I'll figure it all out later. After all, I intend to unite the three of them one day.

  The manifested copy shot rays of light. Another rule appeared. Hezekiah approached the copy, examining its list of rules.

  —The Rules of Queen's Salvation Hospital—

  1. If you see a nurse wearing yellow attire, do not speak to her or answer any of her questions.

  2. If the hospital loses power, remain calm and do not provide a light source. Ignore all calls for help.

  3. If you look into a mirror of any kind and don't see your reflection, break the mirror and take the shards outside the building.

  4. Never dial for help of any kind.

  5. Only provide medication to those who've been at the hospital for a consecutive 30 days.

  6. If an Abna wields a rose-colored sword that is associated with blood, they must break it in pieces before leaving the hospital—or else they'll become an ordinary human.

  7. Any patient that has a daughter will lose all memories of familial ties with their spouse and daughter, as long as they stay within the hospital.

  8. Any patient that has a parent die in front of them will lose all memories of that parent.

  9. If any patient violates these rules, all surveillance cameras will permanently cease functionality, and all footage will indefinitely be erased.

  10. If a daughter thinks about one of their parents deeply and wishes to see them, they will appear beside them.

  11. If the Host of Suffering puts a rock in motion, and wishes it to explode, it will.

  12. If daggers of any kind touch the Host of Suffering, they will turn to water.

  13. If the Host of Suffering wishes a beam of laser energy to materialize in his palm, it will.

  14. All Abnas that use blood abilities will lose their powers.

  15. If the Host of Suffering sees a person and wishes them to disappear, they will cease to exist—and won't exist again until he re-enters the hospital.

  16. If you're on the first floor, all walls can be walked through.

  Hezekiah attempted to pick up the paper, but it was like an invisible glass was protecting it. Impossible to touch—not even its texture could be felt.

  "Damn it! Does this really have to stay here!?" He scrubbed through his hair, thinking of other options. As he took a step, his legs buckled, almost falling over. His vision twisted, as his arm began to feel more distant.

  I'm losing too much blood. I have to move. F*ck!

  Sirens could be heard approaching the hospital. He gritted his teeth. Being seen here wouldn't be any good. After debating which way to exit, he made his move away from the front entrance.

  No turns were made. The only destination was straight ahead. He tightly closed his eyes as he neared the wall, taking it slow. His hand passed through like air. After relieving a breath, he carried himself over, repeating the process quickly each time.

  He passed from room to room. Some were empty; others held a family of three whose limbs were dismembered. Occasionally, he encountered a few creatures, but it wasn't worth wasting his time with them.

  As he continued to head to the southern part of the building, a piercing chill struck his body.

  "Sh*t, what now!?" He hastily scanned the room around him. Nothing stood out. Only the torn hospital bed and open cabinets were the last signs of life.

  His skin grew colder; the hairs on his skin began to rise.

  I don't like this.

  It was already dark, but from what he could tell, nothing was here.

  You know what, I'm done. I've had enough of all of this. Screw finding out what this is.

  Resolving himself, he left.

  As the air in the room settled, a shadow shifted from the corner of the room.

  Its eyes carried a deep red.

  The shadow caressed its swelled stomach curiously, watching Hezekiah pass from room to room—always meeting him before he even arrived.