The room feels suffocating, thick with the smell of antiseptic and tension. The monitor's pulse—BEEP… BEEP…—is steady but weak, each beat echoing in my skull. I hover over Serafin, brushing damp hair from his forehead.
"Stay here," I whisper. "Don't even think about leaving me."
His fingers twitch—CLENCH—and I press mine over them, grounding him. "Good… that's it… just breathe…"
One of the medics adjusts the IV lines—HISS—and mutters, "Vitals are fragile. Any spike could—"
"I know," I snap, refusing to look away. "I've been here every second. Every damn second."
The tactical officer shifts near the door—STEP… STEP…—arms crossed. "You're exhausted. Your insistence is dangerous."
"Dangerous?" I turn on him. "I've kept him alive when every protocol in this goddamn facility said he wouldn't make it. Don't you dare lecture me about danger."
Serafin groans softly—GROAN—and weakly lifts his hand. "Cao…"
"I'm here," I whisper fiercely. "I won't leave you. Not now. Not ever."
The facility doctor steps forward—CLICK—his eyes scanning the monitors. "His condition remains critical. If he continues like this, transfer is necessary."
I glare at him. "Transfer? Not without me. He's not stable."
"You're not authorized," the officer adds. "Security and medical staff will escort him."
I press my forehead to Serafin's temple. "Try moving him without me. I dare you."
Serafin twitches—HNNG—weakly squeezing my hand. "Cao… no…"
"I said no," I growl. "Stay with me. Just breathe… don't fight it now."
The doctor sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "His body is at its limit. Delay too long, and he may not survive the next episode."
I shake my head violently. "Then we don't delay. But I decide how it's done. I've been keeping him alive longer than any of you have breathed!"
Footsteps approach outside—STEP… STEP… STEP…—echoing down the corridor. Each one makes my pulse spike.
"Someone's coming," the tactical officer mutters.
I tighten my grip on Serafin's hand. "Let them see. Let them all see who's keeping him alive."
The medic hisses—HISS—checking the oxygen line. "Any sudden movement could destabilize him further. Be careful."
"Careful?" I snap. "I've been careful for twenty-four hours straight. Every single moment counts!"
Serafin murmurs—rasping—"Cao…"
"I'm here," I whisper fiercely. "Always. Don't you dare leave me."
The monitor continues its rhythmic pulse—BEEP… BEEP…—but outside, the footsteps grow louder—STEP… STEP… STEP…—deliberate, unwavering.
A faint metallic CLANG sounds from the corridor. The tactical officer stiffens. The medics glance nervously at one another.
I lean closer to Serafin, brushing sweat from his brow. "We survive this. Together. You and me."
The doctor turns toward me sharply. "You understand the risks, yes?"
I meet his eyes without hesitation. "I've been living the risks. I've been surviving them. And I'll keep him alive, no matter what comes."
The door rattles—RATTLE…—and my stomach drops. I glance at the hallway. Shadows seem to lengthen and stretch toward us.
"Caoimhe…" Serafin's voice is weak, trembling. "They're—"
Before he can finish, the lights flicker violently—FLICK… FLICK…—casting the room into deep, jagged shadows. Machines beep faster—BEEP… BEEP… BEEP…—and my heart hammers against my ribs.
I tighten my grip on his hand, whispering fiercely, "Stay with me… don't leave… not now."
Footsteps are closer—STEP… STEP… STEP…—and the rattling continues—RATTLE…—as if the corridor itself is breathing, waiting, poised to strike.
I press my forehead against his, heart racing. "We survive this. Whatever comes… we survive together."
And I know, without a doubt, that the next moment could change everything.
Because in this facility, calm is temporary… and danger is inevitable.
To be continued...