Chapter 287

Surprisingly, it didn't take long for Professor Black to find the antidote for the injection.

The news made Lucas and I grateful because we knew for a fact that without Professor Black's expertise, we wouldn't have been able to do it on our own.

As he explained its mechanism to me, I listened carefully.

"The toxin introduced into your system operates through a series of molecular triggers, essentially hijacking your neurotransmitter receptors," Professor Black said, his tone a mix of professional detachment and palpable relief.

Honestly, he was speaking in such large scientific terms that it was difficult for me to understand.

"Can you explain that more simply?" Lucas questioned, speaking my exact thoughts.

Professor Black nodded. "Sorry, I got ahead of myself. What I've formulated here is an antidote that effectively blocks all the bad triggers I mentioned, neutralizing the effects of the toxin."

"So, this will fight whatever is inside of me?" I asked.

Professor Black smiled. "Precisely. This will kill of the toxic injection."

I listened intently, my heart full of hope at the prospect of being free from the nightmare that had entangled me.

Thankfully, the injection hadn't caused any abnormalities in my behavior besides the two days I had missed.

But who knew what could happen if we didn't act fast soon? It was only a matter of time before something else could arise.

Professor Black held a vial in his hand that contained the antidote. It gleamed with the promise of a new beginning.

"Will it hurt?" I asked, my voice thick with apprehension.

Professor Black shook his head reassuringly. "No, it won't. But it will induce a deep sleep to allow your body to recuperate fully."

"A sleep?" Lucas asked, suddenly on edge. "For how long?"

"It's hard to say," Professor Black admitted. "It could be a few minutes, a few hours, or even a few days."

"A few days?" Lucas questioned. "We don't have time for that."

"Well, we also don't have time for Shana to die." Professor Black said sternly. "This will save her from whatever is currently eating away at her strength inside of her."

"Lucas," I said, grabbing his wrist to bring his attention toward me. His blue eyes blinked at me. "It's okay. Professor Black knows what he's doing. The antidote will help me, and I bet the sleep will be needed after the change my body will go through."

"She's right," Professor Black agreed. "Shana might be very weak. She will need rest after the antidote regardless of what happens. It's her body's way of protecting her."

Lucas glanced between Professor Black and me, his expression conflicted. I could see the worry etched in the lines of his face, the fear of losing me evident in his eyes.

"I know you're scared," I whispered, squeezing his hand gently. "But we have to trust Professor Black. He's our best shot at stopping whatever the King has done to me."

Lucas sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Okay, I trust you both."

With a heavy heart, I nodded, knowing that this was the only option we had left. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the effects of the antidote, for the uncertain journey that lay ahead.

"You will feel a slight pinch," Professor Black said, scooting closer to me. "You might want to lie down as well."

I followed his orders, laying down on Grandma Jo's couch.

Professor Black was right. I felt a pinch in my arm as the liquid trickled into my veins. A soothing warmth enveloped me, and darkness closed in immediately.

There were no last words for me to speak.

I awoke to find myself in Grandma Jo's living room, sunlight streaming in through the windows. As I sat up, my head still fuzzy from the effects of the antidote, I glanced around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings.

It felt like deja vu... like I had lived through this scene before.

Funny enough, Lucas, Professor Black, and Prince Alexander were back again. All of them seemed to be sitting around, waiting for me to wake up.

None of them noticed my consciousness until I cleared my throat.

Lucas jumped up first, running to my side. "Shana, how are you feeling?"

"You shouldn't be sitting up," Professor Black said. "You aren't ready."

"I feel fine," I said, laying back against the couch. "Alex... you're back."

"Way to point out the obvious," Prince Alex smirked. "You're quite smart, did you know that?"

I blinked, trying to shake off the remnants of slumber that clung to my consciousness.

"What happened?" I murmured, still groggy from my prolonged rest. "Why are you back so soon?"

"So soon?" Prince Alex replied, his eyes alight with a fierce resolve. "It's been some time. You've been unconscious for a day."

"A day?" I repeated.

"Yes," Lucas confirmed. "You needed the rest. Alex has just returned from visiting the palace and he has news for us."

"News about the King?" I asked, feeling eagerness take over me.

I didn't think Alex would find out anything so quickly.

Prince Alex nodded as he sat across from me, his expression grave as he recounted what he had discovered.

"I saw my father entering the dungeons with Dr. Mills," he explained, his voice heavy with the weight of his revelation. "They were whispering about the wolfless. After waiting for a while, I heard faint screams coming from inside the dungeons."

The news sent a chill down my spine, and I exchanged a worried glance with Lucas and Professor Black.

"It's clear that the King is up to something sinister," Lucas muttered, his jaw clenched in anger. "Who knows who or what he's keeping in those dungeons."

"He didn't catch you spying?" I asked Alex, hoping that he had been safe.

Alex nodded. "Nobody saw me. I left right when I heard the screams... I knew I had to get out of there before my father spotted me."

"We can't let him get away with this," I added, determination sparking in my veins.

Prince Alex nodded in agreement. "That's why I've come up with a plan. I can record my father confessing to everything, and we can use that as evidence to expose him to the world."

"But how do we ensure that the evidence reaches the right hands?" Professor Black questioned, his brow furrowed in thought.

"We'll have to be strategic," Prince Alex replied. "But first, we need to gather the evidence. I'll record the confession tomorrow when the King least expects it."

"Tomorrow?" I asked. "Is it possible to do it so soon?"

"It's best to do it as soon as possible," Alex explained. "You didn't hear the screams, Shana. It was awful. I don't want anyone to suffer any longer than they need to."

A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of what was happening in those dungeons.

"We need to expose him," Lucas interjected, his voice edged with urgency. "The world needs to know what he's doing."

Prince Alex nodded grimly. "I agree. Our kingdom must know."

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, the gravity of our situation pressing down upon us like an oppressive force. But amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope flickered—a chance for justice, for retribution.

"We need to act swiftly," I declared, determination coursing through my veins. "Who knows what other atrocities he's capable of or what else he's planning?"