Arika blinked a couple of times, still somewhat dazed. The pain in her arm was a constant throb, but her mind was slowly beginning to clear. She wiggled the fingers of her good hand, making sure she could still react, although weakness was evident in her every movement.
Suddenly, Reize, who had been half asleep, gave a little start. She raised her head abruptly, blinking in confusion, until her eyes met Arika's. For a second, Reize seemed to freeze, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
—Arika! —she exclaimed, dropping the backpack from her lap, and rushed toward her, her face reflecting a mixture of relief and fear—. You're awake!
Arika tried to smile, but only managed a grimace of pain. The effort of even attempting a smile seemed heavier than any injury.
—Don't worry... I'm still in one piece —she joked, her voice breaking, but attempting to sound lighthearted.
Reize let out a nervous laugh, clearly relieved, but tried to hide it by crossing her arms and frowning, as if her strong face could hide the fear that still trembled in her eyes.
— In one piece? You look more like an old rag —she said, but her voice trembled at the end, betraying the concern she had been holding back.
Arika looked at her tenderly, noticing the hidden fragility in her friend. It was strange to see her so strong on the outside, but with invisible cracks that only someone close to her could notice.
— Thank you...—Arika whispered, the weight of gratitude crushing her a little—. You saved me... again.
Reize ran a hand through her hair, uncomfortable with the sincerity of his words. She was used to being the strong one, to not showing weakness, but at that moment she couldn't help it.
—Bah... it's no big deal — she muttered, avoiding his gaze. Then, after a pause, she added quietly—: I just... wasn't going to leave you lying there like a sack of potatoes.
Arika let out a small laugh, but the immediate pain made her sigh. It was a painful effort, but it was also the only comfort she had.
—Still... thank you — Arika insisted, closing her eyes for a few seconds, struggling to control the pain that enveloped her—. For staying... for taking care of me.
There was a brief silence between them, one laden with unspoken words. Reize clenched her fists, lowering her gaze as if hiding from something.
—You saved me before too... —she said quietly, as if those words were beyond what she really wanted to say—. This time... it was my turn, wasn't it?
Arika stared at her, watching her avoid looking at her. With effort, she stretched out her good hand and touched Reize's arm, a small gesture that seemed to ask her for something more.
—I'm sorry...— Arika murmured, her voice trembling—. I didn't mean to... worry you like that...
—Well, you did anyway! —Reize snapped, raising her voice more than she had intended. She immediately cringed, as if embarrassed by her own outburst of frustration—. I'm sorry... I shouldn't have yelled...
The silence between them grew heavy, laden with unspoken words. Reize bit her lower lip, as if fighting the emotions rising in her throat. Meanwhile, Arika turned with difficulty, looking around at where they were. The room was small, half-ruined, but safe enough to spend the night. A candle flickered nearby, its light dim and warm, contrasting with the darkness that filled everything else.
—Where are we...? —Arika asked, her voice barely audible, as if she were trying to process the reality around her.
—A shelter —Reize replied, settling in closer beside her, her tone trying to be firmer than she actually felt. Her smile was weak and tense—. I found it while dragging you through the streets like a sack of potatoes.
She tried to joke, but the words didn't come as easily as she would have liked. She looked at Arika's arm, the bandage she had improvised herself, and then shrugged.
—I bandaged you as best I could... —she added, looking down at the injured arm, her expression reflecting her discomfort at not feeling good enough in these situations—. I'm not good at these things, but at least I managed to stop the bleeding.
Arika glanced at her sideways, noticing the exhaustion in every line of her face, as if the anguish of those moments had left a visible mark on her skin.
—You did a good job... —she said, her voice sounding stronger than she really felt—. Really.
Reize chuckled, a short, incredulous laugh that didn't seem to fit the situation.
—You're saying that because you're still half delirious... —she replied, shaking her head as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
He ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath, as if trying to regain control of his emotions. When he spoke again, Reize's voice became softer, more vulnerable.
—I thought I was going to lose you, Arika... —she admitted in a whisper, unable to look her friend in the eye —. And... I don't know what I would have done without you.
Arika's heart skipped a beat when she heard those words, a lump forming in her throat. With great difficulty, she stretched out her good hand and brushed Reize's, searching for something to connect them.
—But I'm still here —she whispered, her voice so low that she could barely hear it—. Thanks to you.
Reize pressed her lips together, lowering her head to hide her eyes. But Arika could see how they sparkled, how the contained rage mixed with something deeper, more personal. Tears struggled to escape, but Reize held them back, as if she couldn't allow herself to show weakness.
—Do you always have to be like this...? —Reize asked, her voice trembling, without malice, just a hint of sadness.
Arika let out a small laugh, more out of habit than genuine amusement.
—Always... —she replied with a sigh, her tone softer, more intimate.
The tension in the air dissipated a little, but it remained there, hanging between them. Reize stood up awkwardly, rubbing her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket, as if she wanted to disappear for a moment.
—I'll get you some water —she said, hurrying away before Arika could see what she was really feeling.
Reize rummaged through her backpack and pulled out a half-full bottle. She crouched down next to Arika again, holding her carefully, as if she were fragile, as if her friend's life depended on that gesture.
—You need to regain your strength...—he murmured, his tone concerned.
Arika took a couple of sips, the sensation of cold water sliding down her throat a relief that comforted her a little. She could now speak more clearly.
—What happened? How did we get here? —she asked, her voice still weak but firmer.
Reize grimaced, his face reflecting the harshness of the memory.
—After the glass fell on you... you were hurt... you collapsed. I barely managed to get you out of there. You were bleeding out, you wouldn't wake up... — he explained, his voice breaking slightly at the end—. I didn't know if we were going to make it out of there.
Arika closed her eyes for a few seconds, trying to remember what had happened. The blow, the feeling that everything was fading away, as if the whole world had gone dark.
—And you...? —she asked, opening her eyes, seeking Reize's gaze—. Are you okay?
Reize smiled crookedly, a sad but genuine smile.
—I'm a mess from the rubble... —she replied with a sigh—. But nothing I can't handle. You were the priority.
There was a brief silence, but the words between them weighed much heavier than the air around them.
—Reize... —Arika murmured, fighting the lump in her throatDon't leave me alone... okay?
The request came out more fragile than Arika would have liked. Her vulnerability was a weight she couldn't bear alone.
Reize stared at her for a long moment. Without hesitation, she took Arika's hand in hers, squeezing it tightly, as if that were the most important promise she could make.
—I won't —she replied firmly, almost like a promise, without hesitating for a second.
Arika closed her eyes, letting the warmth of that squeeze envelop her, at least for a while. The city outside was still in ruins, dangers lurking in every shadow, but in that small refuge, at least for a moment, they were safe and together.