Why?
Why does that matter?
I don’t even—
Another flash—
Her face.
Bruised.
Blood on her lip.
Still standing.
Still fighting.
Still looking at me like—
Like I wasn’t allowed to fall.
Like I didn’t get that choice.
My fingers twitch.
Just barely.
But it takes everything I’ve got.
There’s a pause.
Then—
“There you are.”
Soft.
Relieved.
Too close.
Too real.
My chest tightens.
Not from the pain.
Something else.
Something I don’t have a name for.
Not now.
Not here.
I try to open my eyes again.
Nothing.
