Book Three: Double Feature — 23.

Power flickers through the facility as Donna waits for her tormentors, expecting a final attempt to break her before nightfall. Valentine and Salem enter; Valentine, exhausted and volatile, claims Van has killed himself, trying to shatter Donna and force a sacrifice to King Sorrow. Donna rejects the lie, then wavers when Valentine finally calls her brother “Van,” sensing truth in his shift.

Valentine tries to bargain, offering wealth and freedom if Donna gives up Allison Shiner instead. Donna asks only for her brother; Valentine can’t deliver and, spiraling, draws a gun. At a sudden roar of TV static as power returns, Donna rushes him. His chair tips into the Zenith; the gun fires and obliterates his groin. Donna wrenches the weapon away and retreats with the bleeding Valentine into the bathroom, using him as a shield.

With Salem at the door, Donna threatens to shoot Valentine if anyone enters. Salem argues for a medic, but Donna refuses and leverages time—midnight approaches and King Sorrow’s list is short. Through the door, Salem confirms Van’s death; Donna breaks down briefly, then regains control of the standoff.

Donna warns Salem that Sorrow will hunt anyone who stands in the way—if not now, then in the next year through loved ones. She offers a chance to walk away, ending their quarrel if they drop weapons and run. After tense silence, Salem closes the door, leaving Donna in command of the room with a critically wounded Valentine and the clock ticking toward Sorrow’s arrival.