Eric feels raw fear, panic rising like bile.

The hospital room is dimly lit, the beeping of machines the only sound breaking the silence. The man lay motionless, still unconscious, his chest rising and falling slowly in sync with the ventilator.

Eric stands at the doorway for a while, observing him. The figure seems peaceful now, but Eric knows better. This was the man who had tried to murder Gary. Eric's stomach twists with the realization that whoever had sent him is still out there, waiting, watching.

And possibly plotting another plan.

'What kind of person would send someone to do this?' Eric thought to himself.

And why target Gary… At least he thinks he knows the answer to this question now, but the questions still nags at him, and no matter how hard he tries, he can't piece together the full picture. He wants answers, but for now, they elude him.