She didn't say his name when she woke up.That hurt more.
I screamed your name. And you didn't come.
It started with a scream.
Not loud. Not panicked.
But sharp enough to cut through walls.
Alex was brushing her teeth when she heard it—muffled, low, like someone fighting something in their sleep.
Then came the crying.
She didn't hesitate.
The moment she stepped into Liana's room, her heart dropped.
The girl was curled up tight on the bed, sheets tangled around her limbs, hair slicked to her forehead with sweat.
Her body was trembling—violently. Her skin was flushed. Her lips were dry and pale.
But it was her face that scared Alex the most.
Terror.
Real, unfiltered, heart-wrenching terror.
And she was mumbling.
Over and over again.
"Elias… Elias… where are you…"
Alex didn't freeze often. But she did now.
Only for half a second.
Then she reached for her phone.
"Elias," she said when he picked up. Her voice was low but urgent. "Get over here. Now."
Elias didn't ask questions.
He didn't even say a full sentence.
Just a clipped, "On my way," before hanging up.
His keys were already in hand.
He didn't bother with a jacket. Slipped into boots. Slammed the door behind him.
The drive was a blur of rain-streaked lights and barely-legal turns.
He didn't stop for yellow lights. Barely slowed for red ones.
His eyes flicked between the road and the tracker signal on his phone—the soft blinking dot that hadn't moved all night.
"She's calling for me," he muttered under his breath, gripping the wheel like it could anchor his chest.
"She's calling for me and I wasn't there."
Alex left the door unlocked.
He pushed it open and stepped inside.
"She's in the room," Alex said, voice softer now. "Second on the left. I gave her something for the fever, but it's bad. I already called 911."
He didn't answer.
Just moved.
Her door was half-open.
He found her curled in the blankets, a wet towel on her head.
Her skin looked too red and too pale at the same time.
She was shaking. Hard.
And still whispering through chapped lips.
"Elias… where are you…"
It felt like a knife in his chest.
He crossed the room in two steps.
"Where's the ambulance?"he called over his shoulder.
"Two minutes," Alex replied.
He sat beside the bed, his hand hovering, afraid to touch her too hard.
"I'm here," he whispered. "I'm right here."
But her eyes didn't open.
She didn't hear him.
She was somewhere else.
Somewhere far, far away.
And he couldn't reach her.
Not yet.
The sirens wailed in the distance.
Elias stood when the EMTs rushed in.
"She's burning up," he said, stepping aside.
They moved quickly. Took her vitals. Lifted her onto a stretcher.
He followed without asking.
Didn't look at Alex. Didn't thank her.
He'd do that later.
Right now—he had one job.
Stay with her.
At the hospital, they didn't let him into the treatment room.
"She's in good hands, sir. Please wait outside."
He paced. Then sat. Then stood again.
Alex arrived twenty minutes later, coffee in hand.
She didn't say anything. Just sat beside him.
Hours passed.
At 4:37 a.m., the doctor stepped out. Young. Calm. Tired eyes.
"She had a high fever. Possible flu combined with exhaustion and exposure. Her body crashed a bit, but she's stable now. Temp's coming down."
"Can I see her?"
The doctor nodded. "She's still sleeping. But yes."
The room was quiet.
Elias stood just inside the doorway for a long time before walking in.
The IV dripped steadily.
The monitor beeped.
She looked so small.
Smaller than she ever did at home.
He sat in the chair beside her bed, hands clasped together, elbows on his knees.
Watched the slow rise and fall of her chest.
She didn't stir.
Didn't cry.
Didn't whisper his name this time.
That somehow hurt more.
He stayed there until the first light of morning cracked through the hospital blinds.
And when she finally stirred—
Eyes fluttering open, lashes sticky with sweat—
She turned her head just enough to see him.
"You're here…" she whispered.
He leaned forward. "I'm here."
Her eyes welled, but no tears fell.
"I got lost again," she said.
And his heart broke all over again.
"You found your way back."
She reached for his hand without thinking.
He didn't hesitate.
He took it.
And held on.