"Pa… Pa," Bell whispered, her voice barely audible, eyes wide with shock as she knelt beside me. I lay unconscious, a dark red pool slowly spreading around my head.
Aris's panic swallowed the room as she rushed over, trembling as she knelt beside me. She called my name again and again, desperation thick in her voice. Her hands trembled, stained wet with my blood.
But still, there was no response.
Bell, overwhelmed by fear and confusion, suddenly felt a fierce surge of anger rise within her. She lifted off the ground, hovering with a quiet intensity. Spotting the assailant—the man wielding the iron rod—her eyes blazed.
He saw my condition and his confidence faltered. A brutal strike to the head with that weapon meant survival was unlikely. In his panic, he dropped the rod and bolted down the stairs.
But just as he turned to escape, he stumbled.
An unseen force wrapped around his leg, yanking him back toward the scene of his crime. Bell's fury manifested like an invisible tether, dragging him helplessly backward.
The man clawed desperately at the floor, grabbing air and anything he could reach, but it was useless.
Bell's attention shifted to another, still lying unconscious from my earlier defense. A dark energy flickered from her, and suddenly, the fallen assailant's body stirred—arrested by Bell's command.
The first attacker was forced to confront his partner, now possessed and wielding the iron rod with eerie hollow eyes.
"Hey, you're okay! We need to get out of here—fast!" he pleaded breathlessly.
But the response was merciless—a savage blow to the arm sent a brutal crack through the room, followed by agonized cries.
"What... what are you doing? Hey!" he screamed in pain.
Another merciless strike crashed down on his head, blood pouring as his skull cracked open.
The room fell silent with the heavy thud of his body hitting the floor, limp.
Then, chillingly, the figure with the rod turned it toward his own neck. With cold finality, he drove it deep—blood splattering across the cold concrete as he collapsed.
Aris stood frozen, her eyes wide with trauma as the grisly scene unfolded before her.
The once-familiar room had become a chamber of horror.
As I lay still, my eyelids fluttered open slightly. My gaze met Aris's and Bell's.
"Bell… Ar…is…" my voice was weak, barely more than a breath.
Their presence reassured me. My eyes closed again, exhaustion pulling me under.
Twelve hours later...
"Um…" I groaned, vision blurring as I awoke to an unfamiliar ceiling.
Slowly, reality coalesced—I was in a hospital room.
Attempting movement, my arm throbbed warmly. Beside me, Bell was curled up, tears sparkling on her cheeks, clutching my hand tightly as she slept.
"Bell…" I whispered, voice hoarse.
A gentle, teasing voice answered from nearby.
"So, you're finally awake."
I turned to see Aisha seated at the table, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"You always manage to get tangled in trouble that lands you here," she said softly. "At this rate, I might start thinking you have a fondness for hospitals."
"Don't joke," I murmured, concern thick in my voice. "Is Aris okay?"
Aisha's eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief.
"Well now, quite calm, aren't you? Did that blow to your head make you forget how to panic, or have you just become emotionless?"
I gave a weak shrug. "I'm here talking to you, so I guess we succeeded."
"Yes," she said, voice turning serious. "Bell saved you and Aris from something far worse. This isn't the first time I've pulled you back from death's door."
"Second time?" I asked, puzzled.
"Yes," she explained softly. "You were pronounced dead on the way here once before—no breath, no heartbeat."
I hesitated.
"If I was dead, then why save me again? I remember putting Aris's safety before my own. Why did you help me twice?"
Aisha nodded toward Bell, peacefully asleep. "She begged me to. She couldn't accept the thought of losing you. She pleaded with everything she had."
I smiled gently, reaching out to stroke Bell's hair, warmth flooding my chest.
"Consider this a warning," Aisha said, suddenly grave. "Death can be delayed—but it can't be outrun forever."
"What do you mean?" I asked, unease rising.
"Don't worry about that now. Focus on healing. But remember this—there won't be a third chance."
With that, she vanished like a whisper.
Bell stirred, rubbing sleepy eyes and looking up at me.
"Good morning, Bell," I said softly.
She began, "Pa…" but tears welled up, and she threw her arms around me tightly.
"I'm not going anywhere, Bell," I soothed, holding her close. "See? I'm okay. Stop crying."
She looked down, voice trembling.
"I thought… I thought I'd never see you again. You were hurt so badly. I felt so helpless…"
As I comforted her, the door creaked open.
Familiar faces spilled in—big sis, Shu, and Brother Chris, relief flooding their expressions.
Questions tumbled out in a flurry, but through the noise, one question burned brightest in my mind.
"Where are Aris and Zen?" I asked, dread tightening my throat.
Shu swallowed hard, then spoke, voice barely above a whisper: "Well, the thing is…"