Day 1 - 09:30 AM

"What an intense yet good hospital…" I said after leaving main lobby and sit, my IV pole stands besides on the park bench near fountain of this hospital that located at the center, circling by the building.

The central garden of Sacred Heart Hospital was indeed breathtaking. Large and wide lush greenery surrounded a beautiful fountain that stood at its center, water cascading down in gentle streams that created a soothing ambient sound. Trees provided shade for the numerous benches scattered throughout, and the open space allowed patients to feel less confined by the hospital's walls. Children's laughter echoed from the playground area, while stroke patients practiced their walking with physical therapists nearby.

"Gold-looking paper, special place, all females…" I pondered again by the information that I get so far, but I still didn't any clue what's going on.

From the north entrance, an elderly man emerged. He looked to be in his late sixties, maybe early seventies, with weathered skin and gray hair that had thinned considerably. His patient gown hung loosely on his frame, and he walked barefoot along the reflexology stone path that wound through the garden. Each step seemed deliberate, and his face showed clear pleasure - eyes closed, a small smile playing at his lips. "Ahhh~" he sighed contentedly, rolling his feet over the textured stones.

As he walked, various people greeted him warmly. "Morning, Mr. Chen!" a nurse called out with a wave. A fellow patient passing by gave him a friendly nod. "Looking good today!" Even one of the nuns-nurses smiled at him from where she was helping a child with crutches. The old man - Mr. Chen, apparently - returned each greeting with a gentle smile and slow wave, clearly a fixture of the hospital who'd been here for some time.

He looks very healthy for someone who's been here a while... I noted, watching how easily the old man moved despite his age. His complexion was good, his movements steady if slow. Whatever treatment he was receiving here seemed to be working exceptionally well.

Then Mr. Chen's head turned toward me, tilted slightly as if sizing me up. His smile widened a fraction before he changed course, slowly making his way over to Brian's bench. Without asking permission, he sat down on my right side, settling in with a soft grunt of effort. His bare feet rested on the cool grass, toes wiggling slightly.

Silence stretched between them - awkward, heavy silence that made I shift uncomfortably on the bench. Mr. Chen just stared ahead at the fountain, his expression unreadable. Minutes ticked by, marked only by the sound of water and distant conversations.

Feeling like I should break the ice, I finally speak to him first. "This hospital is nice, isn't it, sir?"

Mr. Chen didn't respond immediately. He continued staring at the fountain, watching the water cascade down with an almost hypnotic focus. Just when Brian thought maybe the old man hadn't heard him, he finally spoke - his voice low, raspy from age but carrying an odd weight to it.

"Nice?" Mr. Chen repeated, letting out a dry chuckle that sounded more amused. "Heh… yeah, kid. Real nice." He paused, his wrinkled hands folding in his lap. "Too nice, some might say."

The old man finally turned to look at Brian, and there was something in his eyes - something that made Brian's stomach twist uncomfortably. It wasn't malice exactly, but rather… knowledge? Warning?

"You just got here, didn't you?" Mr. Chen asked, though it clearly wasn't really a question. "I can tell. You got that look - the one everyone has when they first arrive." He scratched at his stubbled chin thoughtfully. "All impressed by the facilities, the beautiful staff, the professional care… Mmm."

He leaned back against the bench, his gaze drifting back to the fountain. "Been here six month myself," he continued conversationally. "Came in for heart problems. Doctors said I had maybe a year left if I was lucky." He tapped his chest with a gnarled finger. "But look at me now - strong as an ox! Amazing what modern medicine can do, right?"

The way he said it though… there was an undertone of something else. Something that suggested modern medicine wasn't the only factor at play.

Mr. Chen was quiet for another moment before he leaned in slightly closer to Brian, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "Kid… you ever hear strange sounds at night? Moaning, maybe? Things that don't quite make sense?"

My eyes widened slightly. How did he—

"Thought so," Mr. Chen said with a knowing nod, reading my expression perfectly. He straightened up again, his tone returning to that casual conversational level. "Let me give you some advice, kid - free of charge since you seem like a decent sort." He turned to look at me directly in the eyes now, and there was steel behind those aged irises.

"Whatever you hear at night? Whatever you think you see? Just… keep your head down and don't ask questions." His voice was firm now, almost commanding. "This hospital will heal you - make no mistake about that - but there are… rules. Unspoken ones."

He glanced around as if checking to make sure no one was listening too closely before continuing. "The staff here - every single woman working, admitted or accompany in this place - they're good people during the day. Professional, kind, dedicated…" He trailed off, his jaw tightening slightly. "But when time reach 10 PM? Things get… complicated."

Mr. Chen reached into his gown pocket and pulled out a small golden ticket - identical to the ones I had seen sticking out of various pockets throughout the hospital. The old man held it up between two fingers, letting the sunlight catch its laminated surface.

"See this?" he whispered intensely. "This is what separates the smart patients from the stupid ones." He tucked it back into his pocket carefully. "You'll learn soon enough what these are for - everyone does eventually - but remember this: don't get greedy, and don't cause trouble."

The old man stood up slowly from the bench with a soft grunt, brushing off his gown as he prepared to leave. But before he walked away completely, he looked back at me one last time with an expression that was equal parts knowing and mischief.

"Welcome to Sacred Heart Hospital, kid," Mr. Chen said quietly. "Enjoy your stay… while it lasts. I will come to your room to show you later."

And with that cryptic message hanging in the air like a curse, the old man turned and slowly made his way back toward the north entrance of the building, leaving me alone on the bench with far more questions than answers.

The fountain continued its gentle cascade behind him as children played nearby and nurses chatted pleasantly with patients - everything looking so normal on the surface.

But beneath it all?

Something dark was lurking in Sacred Heart Hospital's shadows - something that only revealed itself when night fell.