Chapter 3 The Cure
Eleanor woke up suddenly and started convulsing again. She turned her head and vomited thick, dark blood all over the floor. Then she went still.
Elizabeth clutched her tight, sobbing into her hair. “She’s breathing… She’s really breathing!”
Kane knelt beside them. “How long has she been like this?”
“Five months,” Vinnie answered. “It started with fatigue and small fevers. Every month it got worse. The doctors had no answers.”
“It’s Erebus poison,” Kane said flatly.
Elizabeth’s eyes widened in shock. “Erebus poison? That’s impossible! It’s a death sentence!”
Kane stood up. “Both of you need to fill the bathtub with warm water and add plenty of salt. Soak in it immediately. You might be infected too.”
“Infected?” Elizabeth repeated, stunned.
“Erebus stays hidden in the body for months, eating white blood cells. Once it activates, symptoms explode,” Kane explained. “Go. Now.”
“What about Eleanor?” Vinnie asked.
“She’s cured,” Kane said confidently. “The technique I used comes from Master Chen. It can purge any poison, no matter how deadly.”
Elizabeth stared at her daughter but said nothing.
“Who would do this to us?” Vinnie asked, voice low.
Kane knew the answer but kept quiet for now. Dr. Elwes. The same shadow from his past.
“Wait,” Elizabeth said, still doubtful. “You’re saying Eleanor is cured? Everyone knows Erebus is incurable. How can we trust you?”
Vinnie looked back and forth between them, unsure.
Kane nodded. “I know it sounds crazy. Take her to the hospital tomorrow when it opens. Let the doctors run every test they want. They’ll confirm she’s clean.”
Elizabeth looked at Kane with clear skepticism. “And that method you used? You’re saying it’s some kind of miracle cure?”
“Master Chen’s techniques aren’t in medical textbooks,” Kane replied. “Ancient methods passed down for generations. Not mainstream, but they work when modern medicine fails.”
He reached into his bag and pulled out a small, intricately engraved compass made for elite military units. He handed it to Eleanor.
“Hey kiddo, sorry I showed up empty-handed. Next time I’ll bring something better.”
Eleanor’s eyes lit up as she took the compass. She turned it over, playing with the built-in flashlight. “I like it!” she said happily. “Thank you, Uncle Kane!”
Kane raised an eyebrow. “You know my name?”
“Daddy showed me your picture,” she answered with a big smile. “You’re really handsome.”
Kane laughed. “Well, that’s the best compliment I’ve had in years.”
Vinnie and Elizabeth exchanged glances. Vinnie smiled, but Elizabeth stayed cold.
Kane knelt beside Eleanor and gently brushed her hand. “Glad you like it.”
Elizabeth finally spoke. “Thank you.” Her tone was polite, but her eyes still held doubt.
Vinnie tried again. “See, Elizabeth? Kane’s a good man. He just—”
“That doesn’t erase his past,” Elizabeth cut him off. “He’s still a murderer. I won’t have him in our home.” She scooped Eleanor up and looked at Vinnie. “Take him to Everwood Industries. They need a new security officer. Speak with Reginald. He’ll handle it.”
Vinnie’s face brightened. “That’s great, Elizabeth! Thank you.”
Kane caught the reluctance on Elizabeth’s face as she turned away. She was still soft somewhere inside.
As they drove to Everwood Industries, Vinnie clapped Kane on the back. “This is a huge opportunity, brother. Elizabeth’s family built this empire. It’s massive.”
Kane nodded as the towering skyscrapers came into view. “Impressive. I’ve seen smaller headquarters in capital cities.”
They entered the luxurious lobby. A sleek silver sports car sat on display with a bold “One Million Dollars” price tag.
Kane whistled. “A million-dollar car in the lobby? Bold statement.”
Vinnie chuckled. “Elizabeth’s family loves making statements.”
At the reception desk, a man with a receding hairline and permanent scowl looked them over.
“Ah, Vinnie,” Reginald drawled with clear disdain. “And this must be… Ryder.”
He shoved a labor contract across the desk like it was garbage. “Fill this out. Then report to the janitor’s closet. You’ll start as a sanitation engineer.”
Vinnie’s face turned red with anger. “Reginald, what the hell? This is my brother. He’s not some damn janitor!”
Reginald sneered. “I’m not running a charity, Vinnie. You’re good at begging favors from your wife’s family, but don’t expect special treatment here.”
Vinnie clenched his fists, ready to explode. Kane placed a calm hand on his arm. “It’s fine, Vinnie. I’ll take whatever they give me.”
Vinnie looked at Kane, frustration written all over his face. But he didn’t argue.
Reginald’s expression stayed cold. “Good. Glad we understand each other, Kane. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have important matters to handle.”
He turned and walked away without another word.
Kane shrugged. “Hey, it’s not so bad. I’ve had worse jobs.”
Vinnie slapped him on the back. “Thanks for taking it easy, brother. I owe you one.”
He checked his watch. “I have to head out. See you tomorrow.”
Kane opened his arms. Vinnie looked surprised for a second, then stepped in for the hug.
“I’m glad to see you again, brother,” Kane said.
“Me too, Kane. Me too,” Vinnie replied, patting his shoulder.
They pulled apart. Vinnie left the lobby while Kane turned toward the hallway.
The lights flickered as he walked. This wasn’t the fresh start he imagined, but it gave him a roof and access inside Everwood Industries. Perfect for digging into their secrets.
He pushed open the door to the janitor’s closet. A musty smell hit him immediately. Mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies lined the cramped space. A small worn mattress was shoved in the corner.
Kane dropped his bag on the floor and looked around. “Sanitation engineer, huh?”
A skinny guy in overalls appeared behind him, chewing gum. “New meat? I’m Tommy. You’re the night shift cleaner. Main lobby, executive floors, and the bathrooms on levels 15 through 30. Don’t touch the restricted labs on the top floors unless you want to get fired on day one.”
Kane raised an eyebrow. “Restricted labs?”
Tommy laughed. “Yeah. Big secrets up there. You ask too many questions, you disappear. Just mop and stay invisible. That’s how you survive here.”
Kane smirked. “Invisible sounds good.”
He grabbed a mop and bucket. As he started cleaning the lobby, two suited men walked past, talking in low voices.
