Chapter 157

Evelyn's POV Evelink Biosciences. We stood in front of Gary's apartment door. Emma looked stressed. "How long has he been like this?" I whispered. Emma sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Since he returned from Duskwatch Bay. He won't eat, just drowns himself in booze. Keeps the curtains closed 24/7. Just sits alone in the dark." "Has anyone else checked on him?" I asked, eyeing the untouched tray of food on the small table outside his door. "Everyone has tried. He won't open the door for anyone." Emma shook her head. "We had no choice but to call you. If he wasn't wearing the vitals monitor we issue to all staff, I'd be worried he was..." She didn't finish the sentence. She didn't need to. I banged my knuckles against the door. "Gary, open up." Silence greeted us. No shuffling, no movement, nothing. I knocked again, harder this time. "Gary, I'm counting to three. If you don't open this door, you can forget about ever seeing Alex again." I began counting. "One... two..." The door cracked