CHAPTER 13 — THE VISITATION
1156 Words
The hospital corridors were quiet, too quiet for a Monday morning. Nurses whispered. Doctors walked faster than usual. Patients watched shadows instead of televisions. Because something had changed. Not in the building.
But in the air. A pressure. A fear. A presence. And it followed Dr. Nelson Wood like an invisible storm. He walked through the hallway with calm, steady steps—white coat flowing, stethoscope hanging loosely, eyes cold and unreadable.
Nurses greeted him softly. “Good morning, Doctor.”
“Morning, Doctor Wood.” But what they felt was not morning.
What they felt was night. Beside him, Nurse Kemi exhaled shakily. “Doctor… everyone is acting strange today.”
Nelson didn’t slow down. “They should.”
Kemi blinked. “Why?”
He stopped, turned to her, and gave a small but calm smile. “That’s not for you to worry about.”
Kemi opened her mouth to ask more, but Nelson was already walking away. He entered his office. Closed the door. Locked it. Then removed the white envelope from his drawer and placed it on the table. The message was still the same:
WE ARE WATCHING YOU. Nelson smirked.
“No,” he whispered.
“You’re not watching me.”
He slid the envelope aside and pulled forward a folder. Inside the folder were seven photos. Seven men. Seven traitors. One photo was already crossed out. Tom. Six remained. Nelson tapped the next picture, Michael.
“Tonight,” he said softly.
“Your fear will choose your fate.”
He placed the photos back into the folder, stood up, and glanced at the clock. 11:02 AM. Right on time. Because the door suddenly opened. No knock. No hesitation. Just a bold intrusion. Michael walked in first. Samuel behind him.
Andrew. Raymond. Victor. Craig. All six. They filled the office like a wave of tension. Kemi gasped from the hallway. “Doctor, should I call securit?”
Samuel shut the door in her face. Nelson didn’t move. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink. He simply sat down in his chair, folded his hands, and said: “Good morning, gentlemen.”
No fear. No confusion. No surprise. Only calm. Too calm. The six men exchanged uneasy glances. Michael cleared his throat. “Doctor Nelson… we need to ask you a few questions.”
Nelson leaned back. “Then ask.”
Samuel stepped forward aggressively. “Who sent those messages to us?”
Nelson raised a brow. “I didn’t send anything.”
Craig narrowed his eyes. “Then why do you act like you know something?”
Nelson smiled slightly. “Because I do.”
Silence hit the room like a hammer. Michael swallowed. “What do you… know?”
Nelson stood slowly. Not threatening. Not dramatic. Just deliberate. He walked to the blinds and tilted one open, letting a thin ray of light s***h across the room. Then he spoke. “I know what kind of men you are.”
Raymond flinched. Victor tightened his jaw. Andrew looked at the floor. Samuel tried to mask the way his breathing changed. Michael straightened. “And what kind of men are we?”
Nelson turned around. “Men who pretend to be loyal.”
He walked closer. “Men who pretend to be friends.”
Step. “Men who smile with kindness,”
Step. “but kill with envy.”
All six froze. Every vein in their bodies stiffened with fear. Nelson stood in front of them now. Close enough to touch. Close enough to strike. Close enough… to read their lies. Michael forced a shaky smile. “Doctor Nelson… we’re simply asking questions.”
Nelson tilted his head. “And I am simply answering.”
He walked back to his desk and sat. Samuel exhaled sharply. “We’ll cut straight to the point.”
Nelson nodded. “I prefer that.”
Samuel leaned forward, fists tight. “Who are you?”
The room went dead silent. Nelson’s eyes lifted slowly. Not angry. Not surprised. Only sharp. “Why does that question matter to you now?”
Michael stepped in. “Because Tom said something before he died.”
Nelson raised a brow. “What did he say?”
Victor swallowed. “He said… ‘James Wood is watching me.’”
Silence. The lights flickered. Raymond backed up until he hit the wall. Nelson didn’t blink. “So?”
Michael stepped even closer. “Doctor Nelson… your full name is Nelson Wood, right?”
“Yes.”
“And you were born the night James Wood died?”
“Yes.”
“And at the same hospital?”
“Yes.”
Craig exhaled sharply. “Doctor… is that a coincidence?”
Nelson smiled. The six men stiffened. Because it wasn’t a warm smile. It wasn’t friendly. It was a smile with hidden edges. Sharp edges. “Tell me,”
Nelson said quietly, “do you believe in coincidences?”
Michael’s lips opened, but no words came. Victor whispered: “We think… James Wood is back.”
The air in the room thickened. Nelson leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “Gentlemen…”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “…do you believe in reincarnation?”
Raymond nearly collapsed. Samuel growled. Michael’s fingers twitched. Andrew held his breath. Craig whispered a prayer. Victor stepped backward. Because the doctor’s calmness… The doctor’s voice… The doctor’s presence…
…felt too much like someone they had killed. Nelson stood. Straight. Tall. Certain “Let me give you some advice,” he said softly.
The men froze. “Fear comes from guilt.”
He stepped closer. “Guilt comes from sin.”
Another step. “And sin…”
He smiled. “…always returns home.”
Samuel shouted suddenly, too loud, too desperate. “STOP TALKING IN RIDDLES!”
Nelson’s expression didn’t change. “I am not speaking in riddles.”
His eyes darkened. “I’m speaking in truth.”
A knock interrupted the moment. Hard. Sudden. Sharp. Every man jumped. A nurse’s voice called from outside. “Doctor Wood? It’s time for your next appointment.”
Nelson answered without breaking eye contact. “Give me five minutes.”
“Yes, Doctor.”
Silence. Six traitors. One reincarnated soul. Nelson finally sat back down. “You gentlemen should go,”
he said calmly. “We will meet again.”
Michael’s voice shook. “When?”
Nelson smiled slowly. “When it’s time.”
Samuel grabbed the door handle like he couldn’t get out fast enough. Michael followed. One by one, the six men left the office. But before Raymond stepped out, he turned back. “Doctor…”
he whispered. “Tell me one thing…”
Nelson raised a brow. Raymond’s voice cracked. “Are you… him?”
Nelson didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. Because the lights flickered again. And Raymond ran out of the office. Nelson leaned back in his chair. Smiling. Softly. Dangerously. “Let the hunt begin.”
- Writer
