Seven-year-old Toby Miller pressed his newest crayon sketch against the pale wall of Room 412, filling the very last patch of empty space next to the unconscious man’s bed.

The 43rd floor of the Sterling Tower was completely locked down. Only the board of directors and executive security were permitted.

Julian and Clara walked into the massive glass-walled boardroom, taking their seats at the head of the table. Twelve of the most powerful corporate executives in the country sat waiting.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Julian announced, sliding a thick stack of legal documents onto the table. "The court has finalized the declaration. By signing these documents, the transition of power is complete."

The board members nodded, reaching for their pens.

Suddenly, the power on the entire floor flickered. The lights dimmed, and the massive digital screens lining the boardroom walls went completely black.

"What's going on with the power?" Julian snapped, looking at his head of security.

Before the man could answer, a chime echoed through the silent floor.

Ding.

The private, biometric-locked elevator—the one that only Arthur and Julian had access to—was coming up.

Julian frowned. "Who is in that elevator? I ordered it locked out."

The digital numbers above the elevator doors counted up. 41... 42... 43.

The heavy steel doors slid open with a mechanical hiss.

The security guards immediately drew their weapons, aiming at the dark cabin.

The rhythmic thwack... click... thwack... click of a cane echoed from the shadows.

A man stepped out of the elevator. He was pale, thinner than he used to be, and leaning heavily on a silver cane. But his posture was impossibly straight, and his eyes were completely terrifying.

Clara screamed, dropping her crystal water glass. It shattered on the floor, the sound like a gunshot in the silent room.