Lindsay got out from Heiter's house, just to find herself in perhaps an even bigger trouble. She doesn't know where she is, how she ended up there, who are those people around her, what are they planning to do to her, and why. On top of it all, she has to know how did Heiter managed to come back, and find her. Then, she will need a plan to escape from him. Again.

Lindsay sat up, shaking and disoriented from the previous events. She quickly looked around, and came to the conclusion that she is in a hospital, laying on a bed.

- Well, at least I can move ... - She muttered.

She heard German speaking in the background, beyond the confines of her room, but she was alone. At least for now.

- Maybe I can slip out, without being noticed this time.

She tried to pull up her legs, but they weren't responding normally. She felt that she can't move them below her knees.

What the ...? Oh, yes! That insane German made my legs useless. - She felt tears welling up in her eyes, as she realized that.

Her thoughts were interrupted by steps from the hallway, and she heard that the visitor stopped in front of her door. So she just laid back, closed her eyes, and tried to imitate sleeping. Maybe if they buy her trick, they will approach her, then she can use her arms. At least her arms are good, and working.

- It's a woman, and ... I can't hear anyone else with her, but she is too far away. Ok, now she came closer, and she is calling me by name. I think she is next to me, so maybe ... Wait!
She just touched me! Well then, here it goes ...

She quickly sat up, and grabbed the woman's neck.

- Miss Lindsay! Please, calm down! - Yelled the German woman.

Lindsay saw that there is some other person in the room, at least one. That man began advancing on her with a needle, but the woman stopped him, with a "halt" order.

At least I can understand that one! - Lindsay concluded. She held on, refusing to release the woman.

Miss Lindsay! We don't want to sedate you, but we will do it, if you keep this up! - The German woman gasped.

The man tried to use the syringe, again, but the woman stopped him with a hand signal, again.

I can't take both of them at once. So the best thing I can do here is to gain more time. - She quickly estimated her chances.

Lindsay released the woman, and laid back, still giving her a hostile stare.

That was ... unnecessary ... Miss Lindsay. - Said the woman, while coughing a bit.

Who are you? - Sneered Lindsay. - The ******* in Germany decided it's better to wear nurse uniforms, or what? It's easier to turn men on that way?

- I'm doctor Astrid, and I'm not a ***! You are currently residing in a hospital, in Germany ...

Where is Heiter? - Lindsay demanded.

- He died in his house. You were at his bedroom when it happened I presume, so maybe that's why you haven't heard the gunshots.

- So he is dead. Good riddance, I say!

- Miss Lindsay. Your friend, Jenny? She is in the room, next to yours...

- She is here too? Can I speak to her? - Lindsay tried to sit up, but Astrid pushed her back.

- I don't recommend excess movement. Not yet, at least. You need time to recover ... - Lindsay felt genuine concern in her voice and eyes.

Where is she? What did you do to her? - Lindsay demanded

- She is fighting for her life. We are doing our best to help her, but we aren't sure that it will be enough. She has endured a lot in that house.

- I must see her! I must speak with her! - Lindsay tried to get up, but she was pushed back on the bed.

- I thought you would want to do that, so ...

- Please! Please, I have to see her! - The American girl's voice got muffled by her sobbing.

... I got you a wheelchair, and some sterile garb. You will have to wear these, when we will take you to her. But I have to warn you: sitting will hurt. You have wounds on your ... so sitting can be difficult for you. - The German woman tried to use a calm voice, but it was ineffective, apparently.

- Ok, ok! Just give me those things, and let's go!

- You will have to promise me ... - Astrid tried to say something, with suspicion in her voice.

- Anything! I will give you anything you want!

Would you let me finish a single sentence, please? - Astrid scolded her.

Lindsay lied down on the bed, without saying a word. She just nodded.
Be quiet Linds! It looks like they will take you to Jenny, so you shouldn't mess this up! Just stay calm. Breathe slowly. That's it!

- So, you will have to promise me, you won't try anything. No escape attempts, no attacks, and especially no more tantrums!

- Tantrums? Tantrums? Do you know what I have been trough? What we have been trough? So just don't ...!
Stay calm Lindsay! Don't say a word, unless you can behave yourself.

Lindsay just nodded.

- Ok, then. I will take these IV's out from you, then you can hug my neck with your right arm ...

They took her to the next room. Lindsay saw a lot of hospital equipment around her friend, all of them displaying data, which she wasn't able to understand, but she immediately recognized the familiar "beeping" sound.

That's a good sign, I guess. - She looked up at the doctor. - Can I...

- Speak freely. I will wait by the door, so you can call me, when it's time for us to leave.

Can I ... touch her? – Lindsay asked.

Astrid nodded. - Just be careful to don't touch any equipment around her, and avoid contact with her injuries. That could infect her again.
As I said: I will be at the door.

Lindsay turned towards her friend. - How are you doing, girl? I … Listen! I know we have been trough a lot, but you have to hold on, just a little longer! Ok? It will soon be over, and this whole thing will be just a bad memory. Don't live me here, alone, with them, please! I'm in the next room, to your right, by the way. So ... if you will need anything, when you wake up, I can be here, in a moment.

Lindsay touched Jenny's hand. – You will get better soon, I promise!

We can go. – Sighed Lindsay, as she "called for a ride".

Astrid took her out from the room, but her patient held up a hand on the hallway.

I'm … I'm sorry for my previous … outburst. – She said, while staring at the floor before herself. – I didn't mean to, just … I was …

The doctor's answer gave her some relief - It's okay. – She said. You two have endured a lot in that house, so it's understandable that you panicked, when you saw our uniforms. Just make sure it won't happen again, all right?

No, it won't! I don't want you to strap me to my bed. – Murmured Lindsay, with a slight shudder.

We won't tie you up, unless you absolutely leave us no choice. – Answered Astrid in a reassuring tone. But we can sedate you, if that's for the best.
By the way! Wouldn't you like to … sleep, until we can give you a clear answer about Jenny?

No, thanks! – Gasped the young woman. – I became a bit … nervous about sedation. I meant no offense …

- None taken.

The doctor called for someone, and they helped the patient to get back into her bed. Then, they put back the equipment in place.

Are you sure you don't want at least a mild sedation? - Astrid's question came as a surprise, so Lindsay wasn't able to immediately protest. - Against your nightmares.

You know about them? - Lindsay sat back up, even tough it was painful for her.

It's hard not to. - Answered the other woman. - You can go without help - for now - but you will need it, when you get stronger. Otherwise, you might break something.

- Break something? What do I care if I ...
- Lindsaaay!
- Ok, Ok! I'm fine! I won't yell this time!
- Good job!
- Am I having conversations with myself? Within my head? That's just ... great!

No, please! I would like to go at it without sedatives, for now. - She said, coming back into the real world. - But ... could you have someone nearby, so ... they can ... wake me up, if ...

- That's a smart idea, and I will arrange it right away. Now, try to sleep, at least for a short time! Ok?

- Got it! Umm, could you...

- I will send someone, if something happens to Jenny.

Thank you, doctor! - Lindsay tried to give her a smile, but it hurt, so she had to change her mind about it.

That's a bit early for you. But it will get better, later. Don't worry about it. - Said Astrid, with a smile. - Good night, Miss Lindsay!

Good night, doctor! - Said the long haired woman, and she tried to sleep. She knew she needs it, but she was afraid what will happen to her, in her dreams. And what will happen to Jenny.

In the next chapter, Lindsay will get a definitive answer about Jenny, while she discovers that much bigger players than Heiter ever was, are interested in the events around her. The latter are represented by a cunning, ruthless, and very powerful man, and the young woman will try to find out what he wants from her, and why. How can she handle this man, and everything he represents? Or maybe she just gets an opportunity to find some much needed help, and to learn something new in the process?