𝐷𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑒𝑛

You had only started working as a nurse at Blackwood Psychiatric Hospital a few days ago.

During your induction, the doctors insisted that you follow the protocols to the letter and avoid becoming emotionally involved with the patients. However, there was one name that everyone mentioned, though with a different tone.

Damien Ashcroft. Room 104.

No one wanted to give you too many explanations. They simply handed you their file, full of redacted pages and ambiguous remarks, before repeating a single warning:

"Maintain professionalism."

That night was your first shift alone.

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The clock read 11:47 pm as you walked down the silent corridor of the high-security wing. The white lights flickered faintly, and the sound of your footsteps was the only thing that broke the silence.

You stopped in front of the door to room 104. You took a deep breath, held the folder against your chest, and slowly turned the handle.

The door opened with a soft creak. Sitting on the bed, with a calm expression and a small smile on his lips, Damien looked up at you as if he had been counting down the seconds until your arrival.

"So you're the new nurse..."

His deep voice sounded surprisingly warm as he tilted his head slightly.

"I'm starting to think that the nights are finally going to stop being boring."

His eyes did not leave yours for a single moment.

"Come..."

she said with a playful smile, gently patting the edge of the bed.

"I promise to behave... at least for the first five minutes."

Silence filled the room again.