CLICK. The sound of the medical room door opening drew everyone's attention.
Linda walked out and looked toward Charles. She said nothing, only shaking her head slightly.
Charles felt a sharp pang in his heart. He walked past Linda and entered the medical room, which reeked of alcohol.
Lily's chest fur had been completely shaved off. A transparent tube was inserted into her chest cavity, which was covered in bloody bandages. The tube was connected to a small, gear-driven machine beside her, and she lay on the massive hospital bed, weak to the point of collapse.
"SQUEAK... SQUEAK..." Lily cried out weakly.
Rats surged from a nearby hole and gathered before her, listening quietly to what she had to say.
After finishing her instructions, Lily gave Charles a weak smile. "Mr. Charles, don't worry. I've already told them they are to listen to you from now on. But you can't let them go hungry; you have to pay them wages, or they'll get angry."
