Julian pulled back, his breath ragged, his dark eyes scanning Nancy's face. She was flushed, her mind a haze of endorphins and the lingering sedative. She reached for him, a dazed, hollow smile on her lips.
"That was... good," she whispered, letting out a soft, jagged laugh. "I want more."
But Julian's expression didn't mirror her joy. The mask of the charming date finally cracked, replaced by a cold, heavy sorrow. "I'm sorry, Nancy," he muttered.
"Why? What..."
Before she could process the shift in his voice, Julian reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out a pre-filled syringe. Nancy's eyes widened, the fog in her brain clearing for one terrifying second.
"No... no, please! Julian!" she whimpered, trying to pull away, but her limbs were already sluggish.
"This will make it feel better," he lied, his voice trembling with a hint of genuine guilt as he drove the needle into her arm. "It'll make it easier."
