The tension in the room was so thick, it was like breathing through water. Dr. Aldrich stood motionless near the doorway, his jaw set, arms stiff at his sides as though keeping them there was the only way to stop himself from reaching for me.

“This is what I am afraid of. They are not going to leave us alone,” I said again, softer this time, but firmer.

His eyes didn’t flicker. He didn’t move. Only the faint rise and fall of his chest betrayed the fire he was holding back.

“For both our sakes,” I added.

He stepped forward, his voice calm but quietly breaking. “The worst mistake you...