The Gifted Medical Warrior

Help Me.

The beautiful woman stepped forward and said with a smile, “Why don’t you stay for dinner, Mr. Ryder?”

I shook my head slightly. “I appreciate the offer, but I am sorry I might have to decline. There’s a friend I need to see, and I am afraid I am getting late.”

Her expression shifted, she wasn't smiling anymore. “It would be incredibly impolite,” she said firmly, “and, quite frankly, rude if you keep rejecting every offer extended to you. Especially in Cassa del Dragon Villa.”

I glanced at Ethan, who was watching my interaction with her with an amused smirk. The last thing I wanted was to insult their friendly hospitality, especially after declining Ethan’s earlier offers. I nodded reluctantly. “Fine. I’ll stay.”

Her smile returned, and she leaned in closer to my ear, whispering, “Good boy.”

Before I could respond, she exhaled a warm breath against my ear, her proximity left a trail of heat on my skin. She pulled away from me and headed toward the kitchen to get the meal.

Ethan laughed with amusement as he watched her disappear. “That’s Delilah,” he said, glancing back at me. “She’s as sharp as she is charming. Don’t let her elegance fool you—she’s got a mean streak.”

I nodded and showed a faint smile.

After the meal, I prepared to leave the Villa. As I approached the entrance, Ethan’s voice called after me.

“Ryder,” he said. “Next time, I’ll introduce you properly to my granddaughter.”

I nodded “That’s alright, sir. I appreciate the hospitality tonight.”

With that, I straightened and gave him a formal salute.

As I turned to leave, something tugged at the back of my mind. I stopped after a few steps, I turned on my heel and walked back to where Ethan stood.

“Ethan,” I said, my tone was low. “Be careful.”

“I think there might be people who’ve compromised this Villa,” I said. “ Cassa Del Dragon isn’t a place anyone can just walk into. For them to get this close, it could only mean one thing. I think someone from inside is working against you.”

“Inside work…” he repeated. Ethan understood exactly what I was implying.

“We’ll look into it,” Ethan said. “Thank you for everything, Ryder.”

I nodded.

With that, I turned and walked away from the villa.

As I walked down the street, I checked my watch to confirm the time. My sleeve slid back slightly, revealing an old scar etched into the side of my wrist. The mark was unmistakable, it's an imprint left by years of holding a sniper rifle, its stock pressing repeatedly against the same spot.

The sight of it brought back the memories I had buried but could never truly forget. That scar wasn’t just a reminder of my skill, it was a symbol of the bond I shared with the man I was on my way to see.

Alexandre “Alex” Kaine. He was my spotter. He was also my second-in-command in the Valkyrie Unit and my best friend.

Alex was more than just a partner to me, he was the one person I trusted implicitly. We had spent years watching each other’s backs, surviving missions that should’ve been suicide to others. He could spot a threat from miles away, guiding me to make the perfect shot. Together, we were an unstoppable duo.

But all that changed the day I was sentenced to Omicron 12. While I was been taken to that hellish prison, I heard the news that Alex had been in an accident. His vehicle had a burst tire. The official report claimed it was a tragic misfortune, but I knew better.

Alex wasn’t careless. He always checked everything when we are out for drinking, his gear, his vehicle, his surroundings—always twice, sometimes three times. An accident like that? Impossible.

I kept walking, pretending I hadn’t noticed, until I reached a corner which was dimly lit. Then, I stopped abruptly and spoke aloud.

"Don’t you think you’ve followed me long enough?" I spoke. "I think it’s about time you turned back."

I pivoted on my heel, my eyes scanning the person behind me, and it was Delilah, standing just a few steps away. She looked to surprised, her lips curling into an amused smirk.

"You’re incredible," she said, she walked closer to me, her hands were casually resting on her hips. "How did you notice me? You’re the first person who’s ever caught me tailing them. Usually, they only realize when my knife is at their neck."

"Ryder George," she continued, her eyes were gleaming with curiosity, "you really are something else."

I crossed my arms and tilted my head slightly. "You’re good," I admitted. "But you’re not invisible. A change in footsteps, the faint reflection of movement in shop windows, even the sound of your breathing—it all adds up to how you can easily be discovered."

She laughed softly, the sound low and sultry. "I see why Ethan respects you. You’re sharp. Most people are too oblivious to notice me."

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "And why were you following me? If Ethan has questions, he can ask me directly."

Delilah's smirk before her hand moved like a blur, pulling out a sleek, wickedly sharp dagger. Without hesitation, she flung it directly at me.

I shifted my weight to the side, twisting my body just enough for the blade to narrowly miss. The dagger embedded itself with a solid thunk into a wooden utility pole behind me.

Before she could reach for another weapon—or even think about what to do next—I moved forward closing the distance between us in seconds. She looked surprise, but her reaction wasn’t fast enough. I kneed her abdomen without thinking twice.

She stumbled backward. She crumpled to the ground, clutching her stomach. I stood over her.

" What that was about?" I asked.

Delilah gave a smile. "That’s all for today," she said

I furrowed my brows. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

She pushed herself up slowly, She brushed the dust from her clothes. "It means I’m done," she said simply, ignoring my question entirely. "I’ll head back now."

Before I could press her further, she turned on her heel and began walking away.

####### ##########

I reached back at my dormitory, it was a shabby, crumbling building. It was just a small room, with a peeling wallpaper, a lumpy mattress, and a ceiling fan that seemed more intent on creating noise than providing relief.

After tossing my jacket onto the lone chair, I decided to wash off the day. I entered the bathroom, but i was disappointed it was no different, it has a cracked tiles and a sink that perpetually leaked. The water pressure was pleasant.

Midway through rinsing the soap from my face, the water spluttered and stopped completely, leaving me standing there with soap stinging my eyes. "Great," I muttered, groping blindly for a towel as the lights flickered in protest.

When I stepped out, I dried off and threw on a pair of pants and a faded shirt, the electricity went off, turning the room into darkness. I sighed, but before I could even curse my luck, a loud banging shattered the silence.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

I stood for a moment; I was listening intently. The knocking wasn’t polite; the person was knocking desperately. I reached for the small knife I kept hidden under the mattress and approached the door silently.

"Who is it?" I asked.

there was no answer, but the banging continued, and harder this time.

my hand hovering over the doorknob. I twisted the handle and pulled the door open.

I saw a strange woman. She looked unpleasant, her clothes were disheveled, her hair clinging to her damp face, and she constantly looking behind her, as though expecting someone to come from the shadows.

"Please help me."