The sun had begun its slow ascent into the sky by the time we reached the camp. Golden light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the ground. The air was crisp, yet the weight of exhaustion clung to my bones.
I barely noticed the world around me.
My eyes were locked on Elijah.
The twins, were crouched beside him, their faces pale and tight with worry as they did their best to tend to his injuries. But no amount of careful cleaning could hide the extent of his wounds.
His shirt had been ripped open, exposing a torso covered in bruises and deep gashes. His right eye was swollen shut, an ugly shade of purple and black. Dried blood crusted along the side of his face. Even unconscious, his expression was pained, his body twitching slightly as if still trapped in the nightmare of his torment.
My heart clenched so tightly it hurt.
I didn’t know what to do.
What to feel.
Elijah had betrayed us–hadn’t he? I took a step forward, my fingers twitching by my sides. I wanted to go to him, to touch him, to reassure myself that he was still breathing. But I hesitated.
Did I have the right?
Did I still trust him?
Does it even matter?
Seeing him like this–beaten, broken, barely clinging to life–pushed everything else aside. Betrayal, anger, confusion… all of it melted under the weight of a single, undeniable truth.
I still cared.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I dropped to my knees beside him. The ground was cold beneath me, but I barely noticed, My fingers shook as I reached out, hesitating for a split second before brushing the edge of his bruised cheek. I traced the holes in his neck where the silver needles must have been.
I pressed my fingers against his throat. His pulse was weak.
Too weak
Damn it.
He was too far gone to walk.
“Elijah…” My voice was barely a whisper.
He didn’t stir.
My chest tightened painfully.
I forced myself to move, my fingers trembling us I reached for the mp. Unfolding it, my stomach twisted.
13:27 Mon, Apr 28 A
Chapter 189
“They’re everywhere,” Isaiah breathed, scanning the map “We have to get moving otherwise they will find us.” Pointing at the animated characters flickered around us, moving closer, circling like wolves.
We’re running out of time.
I exhaled sharply and turned to the twins. “We need to move. Help Elijah up.”
Alex and Austin exchanged a quick glance before nodding. With careful hands, they lifted Elijah’s limp form, supporting him between them. He groaned weakly but didn’t wake.
I clenched my fists and took a deep breath.
Then, summoning every ounce of power within me, I called forth my Lunar Veil.
53%
A shimmering silver mist swirled around us, engulfing our bodies in its protective embrace. The moment it fully formed, I focused on the destination burned into my memory.
Somewhere safe. Somewhere familiar.
The world warped around us. Shadows twisted, time folded, and a heartbeat later, we reappeared inside a dimly lit room.
The school library.
Or at least, what was left of it.
The scent of burnt wood lingered in the air, mixing with the musty odor of old books. Part of the building had been reduced to rubble, the result of a fire that had torn through the school months ago. The renovations were still ongoing, but no one would be here now.
For the time being, we were safe.
Elijah groaned, his body sagging further against the twins.
Isaiah was already moving before I could speak. “I’ll get supplies,” he said, disappearing down the hallway toward the old nurse’s office.
I barely acknowledged him.
My focus remained on Elijah.
The twins carefully lowered him onto a worn–out couch tucked in the corner of the room. His breathing was shallow, his face twisted in pain.
I couldn’t hold back anymore.
Slowly, I knelt beside him, my fingers reaching out to trace the bruises littering his skin.
“What did they do to you?” I whispered.
No answer.
A single tear slipped down my cheek.
Elijah stirred slightly, a faint sound escaping his lips. Hits head lolle to the side, and for the first time since we brought him here, his one good eye cracked open..
Chapter 189
His gaze was unfocused at first, hazy with pain and exhaustion. But as he blinked, as his mind slowly registered where he was, something shifted in his expression.
Guilt
Pain.
Regret.
I swallowed hard as I brushed my fingers gently over his swollen cheek.
He flinched.
Then, in a voice so weak it nearly broke me, he whispered, “I’m… sorry.”
My throat tightened. “Elijah-”
Isaiah returned at that moment, carrying a dusty first aid kit. Without a word, he dropped to the floor beside me and opened it. The twins moved closer, their faces lined with silent worry.
Together, we began tending to Elijah’s wounds.
The process was slow and careful.
Austin cleaned the blood from his face. Alex worked on the gashes along his arms and chest. Isaiah focused on wrapping his ribs, his brows furrowed in deep concentration.
I did the only thing I could.
I held his hand.
And Elijah held mine back.
His grip was weak, barely there, but it was enough.
I didn’t let go.
Each time he winced, each time his body shuddered in pain, I squeezed his hand just a little tighter, grounding him.
I closed my eyes as they popped his dislocated shoulder and ankle, his cry of pas
filled the whole room.
Minutes passed in silence, broken only by the rustling of bandages and the occasional sharp intake of breath.
When we finally finished, Elijah looked marginally better–though still pale, still weak.“, bruised and broken.
His eyes flickered to mine, searching.
swallowed hard.
I’m here,” 1 murmured, answering the unspoken question. “I’ve got you”
fis lips parted as if he wanted to say somethin
but exhaustion wor
His eyes fluttered shut, his grip on my hand loosening.
