Chapter 145

Each pained groan from Darren felt like a knife stabbing my heart. Dr. Adkins instructed the bodyguards to pry open Darren's mouth and stuff a towel inside. It was to prevent him from biting his tongue during his violent struggles. I covered my mouth to muffle the sounds of my sobs. The bed sheets beneath Darren were soaked with sweat, and there were blood-streaked marks on his wrists and ankles from the constant friction. He instinctively tried to curl up as a natural reaction to pain, but the restraints held him back and stopped him from moving, so the only sounds coming from him were anguished whimpers. Soon, those sounds faded. Darren's lips trembled weakly, and his hands no longer moved. Everyone in the room stood still. All eyes were fixed on him, not daring to even blink. I shot up from my chair, and hope filled my chest. For a brief moment, it seemed like the worst was over. Had Darren finally made it through? Dr. Adkins withdrew a stethoscope from his medical kit and pl