f consciousness, each flicker back to awareness bringing with it a fresh wave of agon

aid, his words echoing in the sterile

ssible to respond. I tried to move, to speak, to defend myself, but

ght. Then he turned, his broad shoulders disappearing through t

urgling sound that tasted of blood and defeat. My fa

m resolve, I swallowed it, the bitter taste a welcome cleanser. A strange, twisted euphoria bloomed in my chest, a perverse pleasure i

in my mind, silent promises to myself. Soon, I'll

sling, a bandage peeking out from beneath her elegant dress. She looked pale, fr

ou! Get out of my sight!" I tried to lash out, my arm a weak, pathet

ercloud. "Must you always be so dramatic

eamed, a guttural sound

a silent plea. Don't, Adrien. Adrien's anger faltered, replaced by a softer, more protective gaze as he look

en turned to Adrien, her lips forming silent words. She w

a helicopter ride. A final gesture, she says." His words were co

ad violently. "I'm not going

sp. He hoisted me out of bed, my body protesting, every muscle screaming in agony. "You do

okers, my bare feet slapping against the polished floors. We reached the rooftop helipad, the win

red to life, a deafening roar that vibrated through my bones. I looked at his profile, his jaw set, his eyes focused on the controls. A faint, distant memor

ed into her, murmuring something, a soft smile gracing his lips. She giggled, a light, airy

their voices carried away by the wind, their heads close, their fingers intertwined. They were a pictu

icopter shuddered, shaking violently, throwing us against our seats. Alarms blared,

d her protectively. "Are you alright, my love?" he shouted over the din, his voice thick with co

. My eyes darted around the cabin, searching, desperate. A small, red handle, a parachute dep

m my grasp. He strapped it onto Daphne, his movements frantic. "There's only one, Elea

tormented sound. "You p

e. She mouthed a single word, Sorry, her lips forming

er forehead. "I'll go with you. We'll get help together." He held her close, his eyes blazing with a fierce dete

rabbed Daphne, pulling her close, and together, they plunged into the swirling darknes

il, where the rotor had been, erupted in flames. The cab

up. Adrien was too meticulous, too paranoid, to only have one. I clawed through the debris, my hands

desperate drum of hope. I strapped it on, my movements clumsy, my body screaming in protest. The flam

remained stubbornly closed. Panic clawed at my throat, cold and suffocating. The ground rushed up to

A bone-jarring impact as I hit the ground, a crumpled heap of pain and exhaustion.

t orange glow. Adrien's helicopter, a symbol of his betrayal, expl

e. I'm free. Then, with a grim smile, I swallowed the last capsule, the bitter tast

, internal echo. You wanted me gone? You got yo