Infiltration

The weekend came faster than Alex expected.

He had told Sarah he could get her inside the club discreetly to look for clues about her sister. She had been excited and nervous, but she trusted him completely. They arrived at the club on Saturday night. The doorman recognized Alex and let them both in without question.

The atmosphere inside was the same as always: dim lighting, pulsing music, and an undercurrent of something darker. Sarah stayed close to him, her hand in his as they moved through the main area.

“This place feels… off,” she whispered, looking around. “But if it can help me find answers about my sister, I have to try.”

Alex nodded. “Stay with me. I will get you into a quieter area where you can look around safely.”

He led her toward a side hallway. Emily had already arranged everything. When they reached a particular door, Alex paused.

“I will wait out here,” he said. “There is a small office inside where you can check some records. Be quick.”

Sarah gave him a grateful look and slipped inside the room.

The door clicked shut behind her.

Inside, the walls were covered in soft, swirling spirals. The lights dimmed automatically. A calm, feminine voice began playing through hidden speakers before Sarah could react.

“Relax, Sarah. You are safe. You are open. You will obey.”

Sarah’s eyes widened for a brief second, but the spirals caught her gaze instantly. Her body swayed. Her shoulders dropped. The trance took hold almost immediately.

Emily stepped out from a side door with two assistants. She smiled as she watched Sarah’s eyes glaze over.

“Very good,” Emily said softly. “Let us see what our detective really knows.”

They guided Sarah to a comfortable chair. She sat obediently, her expression blank and peaceful.

Emily began the interrogation in a calm, soothing voice. “Tell us everything you know about the club and the disappearances. Who are you working with? What have you found?”

Sarah answered in a flat, monotone voice. She revealed names of other officers, leads she had been following, and how long she had been searching for her sister. Then, almost casually, she added something new.

“I am pregnant,” she said softly. “It is Alex’s. I have not told him yet.”

Alex, who had been watching through a one-way mirror with Emily earlier, froze. His eyes widened in shock.

Emily let out a soft, delighted giggle. “Oh my. Congratulations, Alex. You really are quite the stud. You have excellent taste.”

Alex said nothing, still processing the revelation.

Emily continued the session, planting a clear trigger word deep in Sarah’s mind. “Whenever you hear the word ‘velvet,’ you will immediately fall into a deep trance. You will obey any commands given to you while in trance, but you will remember nothing that happens while you are under. When you hear the word ‘awake,’ you will return to normal with no memory of the trance or anything that occurred during it.”

When the session was over, they brought Sarah back out. She blinked a few times, then smiled at Alex as if nothing had happened.

“I found something,” she said excitedly. “There are records that might lead me to my sister. Thank you for bringing me here.”

They left the club together. On the drive home, Sarah was quiet for a while. Then she turned to him, her voice soft.

“Alex… there is something I need to tell you.”

He glanced at her, still shaken from what he had heard during the interrogation.

“I am pregnant,” she said, her hand resting on her stomach. “It is yours. I took the test a few days ago. I have been feeling sick and tired… I did not know how to tell you.”

Alex’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. He forced a calm expression, even though his mind was reeling.

“I… I do not know what to say,” he managed. “Are you okay?”

Sarah nodded, tears in her eyes. “I am scared. But I am also happy. I just… I needed you to know.”

Alex reached over and took her hand, his thoughts spinning. He was going to be a father.