CHAPTER 19
THE KILLER'S IDENTITY
No one's POV
"Detective Valencia was attacked!!" The adrenaline rush that surged through Skyler's veins was unparalleled.
It felt as though time itself had stopped, only to jolt back into motion as her hands went slack, dropping everything she was holding.
The world seemed to pause for those few heartbeats before her body reacted, propelling her into a frantic run out of the building.
Each second counted, each step a race against a dreadful possibility.
From the 4th floor of their building, Skyler descended with a speed that seemed almost superhuman.
The elevator was too slow, a luxury she couldn't afford. Instead, she opted for the stairs, taking them two, sometimes three at a time, leaping over railings without hesitation.
It was as if her fear had granted her wings, carrying her downwards at an impossible speed.
By the time she reached her car, it felt as though she had teleported to the driver's seat.
Her hands moved with practiced precision as she grabbed her tracking device, immediately locking onto Seyren's location.
The car roared to life, and she tore through the streets with a desperate urgency, weaving through the moderately busy traffic with the finesse of a seasoned racer.
Her heart pounded not just with fear but with an overwhelming dread.
The officer's words echoed in her mind, a stark reminder of the grim reality she refused to accept.
She needed to see Seyren, to verify with her own eyes that her friend was alright. If this was a cruel prank, she would let it slide, as long as Seyren was safe.
Skyler arrived at Seyren's location in record time, guided by the tracker.
Her stomach churned as she saw a crowd gathered, many holding up their phones, capturing the scene.
The chill of the night air seemed to seep into her very bones, a stark contrast to the fiery determination driving her.
Pushing her way through the crowd, her breath caught in her throat as she saw what lay at the center.
A young man's lifeless body sprawled on the ground, a knife embedded in his chest.
In his hand, he clutched a thin book with "The Bible" emblazoned on its cover.
Nearby lay a severed finger, a shattered and expensive-looking watch, and Seyren's phone, cracked and bloodied.
A dirty baseball bat was carelessly discarded next to the phone.
But there was no sign of Seyren. No police, only curious onlookers holding back others from taking more pictures.
"Are you a cop?" a man asked, breaking her trance.
Skyler silently showed her badge, her eyes still glued to the scene before her.
"Were there any other victims here?" she asked, her voice barely steady.
"Yes, a young woman. She left right away, though. She had a stab wound in her abdomen. We offered to take her to the hospital, but she insisted on going alone-" The man's explanation was abruptly cut short as Skyler's fist connected with his face, sending him reeling.
The female detective's fury was palpable. Only a fool would let a wounded victim go to the hospital alone.
"Are you stupid? Why did you let her go alone?" she shouted, her voice a mix of anger and despair.
In the midst of thr crowd were everything is in chaos, Neome kept herself hidden in the shadow of the wall.
Sobbing silently as what happened to Seyren replay on her mind. How her own brother just almost killed Seyren in front of her own eyes.
It was such a cruel thing to witnesses and she's contemplating whether she made the right decision of stalking her brother or not.
---
In a dark part of the street, Seyren moved quietly, cloaked in the shadows cast by the walls and illuminated by the large, white moon overhead.
The night sky was breathtakingly clear, with stars twinkling brightly above.
The road was still somewhat busy, filled with the hum of passing vehicles.
Seyren walked slowly, her hand pressed against her side where she had been stabbed.
She passed by a public hospital, its peaceful interior visible through the windows.
It should have been a peaceful night for her too, had she not been caught in such a dire situation.
Had she not been attacked, stabbed, and nearly killed by a man.
She paused under the hospital's lights, revealing the extent of her injuries.
Her colorful clothes were stained with blood, her lips bloodied, and blood trickled from a wound on her head.
Despite the pain and the feeling that she was losing too much blood, she didn't enter the hospital.
Instead, she continued walking. Each step was a struggle, her body weakening, her heart aching, and her breath growing labored.
Yet, she managed to make it home.
As she reached the gate, she saw that it was open. A red car was pulling into the garage, its engine a soft purr against the backdrop of the night.
Azara got out of the car, her face a mask of anger, seemingly frustrated with the world once more.
Seyren entered the house quietly, making no noise. She saw Azara stop in the garage, absorbed in her phone.
Azara froze, her breath seemingly caught as her shoulders stopped moving. Unbeknownst to Seyren, Azara had just received a message about her attack.
From Elowen:
Ate, Seyren is missing and has been attacked.
Azara's world stopped as she read the message. Her heart ceased to beat, and her mind went blank.
"Azara," came a whisper from behind her, a woman's voice, struggling to breathe.
Azara turned quickly, her heart shattering at the sight before her.
Seyren stood there, her clothes soaked in blood, her hand clutching her side where blood still seeped.
There was a tear in her shirt near her chest, exposing her bloodied skin. Her lips were stained with blood, and her eyes were heavy with exhaustion.
"You got any menstruation pads?" Seyren asked breathlessly.
Azara's soul seemed to leave her body. She never expected to see Seyren in such a state.
Shocked and not knowing how to react, Azara shook her head.
Seyren swallowed hard and gave a small, genuine smile.
Azara felt a warm tear trickle down her cheek, realizing she was crying.
She had thought her vision was simply blurring.
"Right... You use tampons..." Seyren said before collapsing. Thankfully, Azara caught her.
"Seyren!!"
As Azara held Seyren in her arms, Seyren smiled faintly.
"You finally... caught me... I like it." She murmured before losing consciousness.
With Seyren's eyes closed, Azara's mind snapped back to reality.
"Help!!!! Somebody help me! No, Seyren, don't close your eyes, please." She screamed and begged, tears streaming down her face as she cradled Seyren, who was now unconscious.
"No, Seyren, please..."
---
"Emergency!! Emergency!!" When the ambulance arrived at the private hospital, nurses immediately unloaded the unconscious Seyren, with Azara still crying beside her.
They shouted for help until they gained attention, and other nurses quickly cleared the way.
Their eyes widened at the sight of Seyren's condition.
"Ma'am, you need to stay here," one nurse said, stopping Azara from entering the hallway leading to the ICU.
Azara didn't resist, her body weakened.
She fell to her knees, continuing to cry. Not long after, Skyler, Elowen, and even Neome, whose arrival was unexpected, showed up.
"Sister!" Elowen shouted, kneeling down and hugging Azara.
Azara couldn't return the embrace as she spotted Skyler.
Her vision darkened with anger at the sight of Skyler. She stood up swiftly, faced Skyler, who was also in tears, and slapped her.
"How can you let this happen? Huh? What the fuck happened to her?!!" Azara yelled, weakly punching Skyler in the chest. Skyler didn't retaliate.
"It's my fault... I shouldn't have asked her to stalk Liam," Skyler admitted, causing Azara's anger to flare up even more.
"What does Liam have to do with all of this?"
"I saw him... I saw Liam kill Kalix and then attack Seyren afterward," Neome suddenly spoke, still showing signs of trauma.
The events replayed in her mind.
"How did you know?"
"Because he's my half-brother and I stalked him earlier... I've got a picture if you don't believe me," Neome said, hastily pulling out her phone and showing the picture she hadn't shown Skyler earlier.
In the photo, Liam was dressed in all-black, holding a baseball bat, and appeared to be hitting Seyren, who was lying on the ground, shielding herself with her arms.
At that moment, Azara's world completely shattered.
---
The sterile scent of the hospital filled the air, mingling with the faint beep of monitoring machines and the low murmur of medical staff.
Azara sat in the cold, impersonal waiting room, her mind racing and heart pounding with anxiety.
The fluorescent lights above flickered slightly, casting a pale glow over her tense features.
Everyone stayed in silent. No sobs could be heard as their heart and mind were already numb.
Minutes felt like hours until the door finally opened, and a doctor stepped in, his expression grave.
Azara stood up abruptly followed by Elowen and Skyler, a mix of hope and dread surging through them.
Neome stayed on the ground, unable to find strength to stood herself up.
She wasn't just numb. Her soul left her own body the moment she saw how violent her brother is.
Right now, she's thinking if only she could turn back the time, she would throw herself in danger just to protect Seyren.
Yhat's what she promised after all.
To protect Seyren from everything and everyone.
"Are you related to the patient?" the doctor began, his voice steady but laced with concern.
"Yes, we were. How is she? How is Seyren?" Azara's voice wavered, her eyes searching the doctor's face for any sign of hope.
The doctor took a deep breath, motioning for Azara to sit down.
"Please, take a seat. There's a lot we need to discuss."
Reluctantly, Azara sat, her heart sinking.
"Just tell us. Is she going to be okay?"
The doctor sat across from her, clasping his hands together.
"Seyren was brought in with severe injuries. Her ribcage has been crushed, which has caused significant internal damage. The crushed ribs have caused internal bleeding and punctured her lungs." He began, his voice was soft and gentle, not wanting to shock the three women in front of him.
"That could still be fixed, right?" Elowen asked, stuttering miserably.
"This will require a complex surgical procedure to realign and fixate the broken bones, ensuring they heal properly and prevent further damage." The Doctor answered honestly.
"Pero hindi lamang ribcage ang problema" he added, diminished the hope that was slowly building up on their heart.
"Then fucking say it and stop with the halt!!!" Skyler gripped the collar of the doctor's blazer, eyes widening to intimidate him.
Nurses comes to rescue them, pushing those two away from each other.
"I'm sorry... I just don't want to shock you-"
"Just fucking say it!" Azara yelled irritably.
The doctor took a deep breath, pulling up a courage to reveal such a heartbreaking news.
"The impact also caused a serious injury to her heart."
Azara felt as if the ground had been pulled from under her. "Her heart? What does that mean?"
"The damage to her heart is extensive," the doctor continued, his tone professional but sympathetic.
"It means she will require a heart transplant to survive. The impact caused her ribs to shatter in such a way that they have irreparably damaged her heart muscle."
Azara's breath hitched, her mind struggling to process the information.
"How did she have the strength to come home when she's severely injured?" She asked, unable to believe the doctor's words.
The doctor sighed, a look of admiration mixed with sorrow crossing his face.
"It's not uncommon for people in critical situations to find extraordinary strength, often driven by sheer willpower and adrenaline. Seyren's determination to reach a place she felt safe likely gave her the temporary energy to keep moving, despite her injuries. However, this exertion has also taken a significant toll on her already fragile condition. So we really need to do a heart transplant."
"How soon does she need it?" Neome stood up, taking this opportunity to ask.
"As soon as possible," the doctor replied.
"We have her on a machine that is helping her heart pump blood, but this is only a temporary measure. We're working to find a suitable donor, but it's a race against time."
Azara's eyes filled with tears as she listened.
"Saan naman kami makakahanap ng puso? Sinong tangang mag dodonate ng puso para sa isang taong hindi naman nila kaano-ano?"
Their hope was diminished by that fact.
The siblings had no choice but to sit and cry by the side. Elowen wept as she hugged her girlfriend, while Azara sat on the floor, overwhelmed by the situation.
"We can take a deceased person as a donor. That's how heart transplants typically work," the doctor explained.
---
79 Hours
For over 79 hours, Seyren faced nothing but the skilled doctors working tirelessly to treat her.
During those hours, Azara spent her time in the hospital chapel, praying and hoping for Seyren's recovery, while Elowen had to return home to gather essentials, buy food, and handle other necessities.
In the same span of hours, Skyler dedicated herself to capturing Liam.
The young man had disappeared, nowhere to be found in the Philippines.
The announcement of the psycho killer's identity being Liam was made worldwide.
Evidence, including CCTV footage, suddenly emerged after news broke of the vlogger Kalix Kiwatari Yan's death.
The footage showed undeniable proof of Liam's actions.
It was as if the world had been given the courage to release all the CCTV footage they had captured.
A week passed-a full week before news came that the operation was successful.
This news brought the three women back together at the hospital.
There, they finally saw Seyren. She was unconscious but in a stable condition.
An oxygen nose hose was in place, and her heartbeat was steady.
The sight of Seyren brought a sense of relief, yet there was still a lingering fear as they waited for her to wake up.
---
Azara sat by Seyren's bedside, her eyes red from sleepless nights and endless tears.
The quiet beeping of the heart monitor was a constant reminder of the precarious state Seyren was in.
Azara held Seyren's hand, her thumb gently caressing the back of it.
She's never been so soft like this. She never even felt extreme sadness before.
Only now that Seyren almost got killed by her very own ex-boyfriend.
The heartbeat monitor echoed in Azara's ears, a constant reminder of the fragile state of Seyren lying in the hospital bed.
Seyren's soft and warm hands were truly comforting to her, a small solace in the sea of worry and exhaustion.
Yet, her heart would be lighter if this woman, the one she cared for deeply, would just open her eyes and wake up from this endless slumber.
Seyren looked so peaceful in that hospital bed, her chest rising and falling in a slow, rhythmic pattern.
She seemed like an innocent child, untouched by the harsh realities of the world.
Her serene expression was a stark contrast to the turmoil inside Azara.
"Why don't you get some sleep, sis?" Elowen's voice broke the silence as she entered the room, placing her belongings on a nearby table.
Azara shook her head in refusal.
"I don't need sleep," she replied simply, her voice devoid of energy.
The fatigue was evident in her tone, and despite her defiance, she couldn't stop her eyes from drooping.
Elowen watched her sister's futile struggle against sleep, her heart aching at the sight.
"Liar. You clearly need to sleep. Let me take care of her, and you take care of yourself, hmm?" She moved closer to Azara, placing a gentle hand on her older sister's shoulder.
"I said I don't need sleep," Azara repeated, her voice tinged with irritation.
The frustration and helplessness she felt were palpable, and it seemed as though she might snap at any moment.
Thankfully, Elowen possessed a patience that Azara often lacked.
"Do you think Seyren would be happy seeing you neglect yourself? You rarely eat anything, and you haven't been sleeping well because you refuse to go home. She's not going to be happy if she saw you like this," Elowen said softly, her voice a soothing balm to Azara's frayed nerves.
"She never minded seeing my messed-up side. For sure, she won't make a big deal out of how I look right now," Azara argued, her voice cracking slightly.
Azara indeed looked a mess.
The dark circles under her eyes were prominent, her makeup was smeared, and her clothes didn't match.
Even her perfume seemed out of place with her current state.
Despite her disheveled appearance, there was something undeniably beautiful about her, a perfect imperfection that only added to her allure.
"It's not about your look, it's about your health. For sure, she'll mind that you're not taking care of yourself. She'd appreciate your concern, but abandoning yourself is not what she wants, you know that," Elowen's tone was gentle but firm, her words striking a chord with Azara.
Elowen moved to Seyren's bedside and tucked her in, her movements careful and tender.
"If you want Seyren to be happy when she wakes up, then appear before her in a good state. We each have our own mission here, Azara. I'm pulling this family together, Skyler is hunting that son of a bitch Liam, and you? You need to stay strong and healthy. If you can do that before Seyren wakes up, she'll definitely be happy," she continued, her voice filled with a quiet strength.
Elowen caressed Seyren's cheek before turning to her sister, holding Azara's hands and giving them a gentle squeeze for comfort.
"When she wakes up, try to confess your feelings. Stop stalling and playing with someone else's feelings and life. We both know you like her," she said, her words carrying a weight that Azara couldn't ignore.
The sincerity in Elowen's eyes and the truth in her words finally broke through Azara's stubbornness.
"Fine... I'll go home and get some sleep," Azara conceded, bringing a smile to Elowen's face.
"Good, I'll call Skyler to fetch you and drive you home," Elowen said, taking out her phone.
"You're lucky with your girlfriend, huh?" Azara remarked, her voice tinged with envy and a hint of amusement. Elowen laughed as she dialed Skyler's number.
"Seyren's actually a good wingwoman," Elowen said, excusing herself to make the call. She stepped out of the room, leaving Azara with Seyren.
---
"Go, get inside!" Skyler commanded, her voice firm and unwavering as she held her gun.
She signaled the police to enter Liam's mansion, despite the owner's absence.
Her heart pounded as almost a dozen police officers stormed the mansion.
Another dozen surrounded the house, their guns trained on the building, ready for any sign of danger.
Skyler followed her team into the living room, where officers were already searching the entire house.
The scene was chaotic, with officers tearing through every nook and cranny, but Skyler's focus remained sharp.
The mansion was eerily pristine, almost too perfect.
The walls were adorned with a mural depicting a peaceful field, full of vibrant flowers, grass, and trees.
Even the painted clouds seemed to float gently in the sky, creating an atmosphere of serenity that was at odds with the situation.
It was as if the artist who painted these walls had a dream of a tranquil life, a stark contrast to the grim reality that Skyler knew existed within these walls.
The beauty of the mural was almost hypnotic, making it hard to believe that this was the home of a brutal killer.
Skyler moved further into the house, her eyes scanning every detail.
She entered a room filled with books, paintings, and photographs.
There was even a collection of Avengers hero figures near a bookshelf, adding a touch of innocence to the otherwise tense atmosphere.
Near the bed, she found a family picture.
In it, three children stood between a couple, with Liam smiling widely in the center.
"You look so innocent... But that's how the game works, right?" she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of anger and pity.
Despite her rage, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.
She wondered if things might have been different if she had grown up with Liam.
He was, after all, her half-brother. But she quickly pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand.
Skyler continued her search, rifling through the books and papers in the room.
When she found a Bible, she opened it to the Ten Commandments.
Each commandment was highlighted, a chilling reminder of the twisted mind she was dealing with.
"Detective Avellino, negative. There's nothing here that could lead us to him," a police officer reported, interrupting her thoughts.
Skyler rubbed her temples and signaled the officer to leave.
She needed to think, to piece together the puzzle that Liam had left behind.
Minutes later, she left the room and descended to the ground floor, where the house was now in disarray.
"Where the fuck are you, Liam?" she muttered to herself, frustration boiling over as she surveyed the chaotic scene.
Her eyes caught something unusual in the mural, something that didn't quite fit.
She stopped and took a closer look, noticing a shoe in the middle of the grassy field.
"A girl's shoe?" she murmured, her curiosity piqued.
The shoe pointed westward, toward the kitchen. She followed the direction, her heart pounding in anticipation.
In the kitchen, she saw another painting, this one of a young boy who looked like Liam.
He was holding a pair of girl's shoes, reaching for something.
The painting continued on the walls, leading her to a set of tiles where the mural abruptly ended.
With a furrowed brow, Skyler inspected the kitchen.
The modern design and cleanliness were in stark contrast to the sinister secret she felt was hidden within these walls.
She looked back at the painting of the boy and followed his outstretched hand.
Near the wine rack, she noticed an unfamiliar wine brand.
All the bottles lay horizontally, their caps pointing forward, except for one bottle that stood upright, as if it had been disturbed.
She lifted the bottle, and her heart jumped as the wine rack suddenly parted in the middle, like elevator doors slowly opening.
The reveal of a dark path leading downward sent a shiver down her spine.
Skyler took out her flashlight, illuminating the narrow staircase that led down into the darkness.
The walls continued the mural from the kitchen, the vibrant paintings giving way to the unknown depths below.
"A secret basement?" she muttered to herself, furrowing her brow as she cautiously ventured down the dark, narrow path.
The walls were lined with paintings that seemed almost lifelike.
Each step echoed softly, her breath shallow and heart pounding.
As she descended, the light from above faded, leaving her surrounded by shadows.
Skyler's steps faltered when her eyes fell upon a particular painting.
It was of a young girl who looked eerily identical to her childhood self.
The girl's wide, innocent eyes and the subtle frown on her lips mirrored Skyler's old photos.
"He... He knew me even before?" Skyler's voice trembled as she examined the painting.
The girl stood barefoot, her gaze turned skyward towards a yellow balloon drifting away.
The detail was meticulous, almost hauntingly familiar.
Further along, the painting depicted a large golden retriever, bounding joyfully towards an unseen destination.
The dog's depiction, vibrant and full of life, contrasted sharply with the eerie tranquility of the girl's portrait.
Skyler pressed on, the corridor narrowing until she stood before a sturdy door.
Her heart hammered against her ribs as she reached for the doorknob, her hand trembling.
She twisted it, but it was locked tight. Despite not knowing what lay beyond, a sense of foreboding washed over her, making her hesitate.
Determined, Skyler retraced her steps to the upper levels of the house, searching every room until she found a heavy metal rod.
Armed with her makeshift tool, she returned to the basement door.
The sound of metal striking metal echoed in the confined space as she battered the doorknob, her muscles straining with each swing.
Finally, it gave way with a loud crack.
She withdrew her gun, the cool weight reassuring in her hand.
Entering cautiously, she aimed at the ready, her eyes scanning for any movement. What she found was a surprise-a meticulously furnished underground living room.
The pristine condition of the space was unsettling, given the ominous context.
Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. The screen displayed her girlfriend's name, and she couldn't help but smile briefly.
"Hello, love," she greeted, her voice softening.
"Love, can you pick up sis Azara from the hospital? She's ready to go home," her girlfriend's voice came through, filled with concern.
"Sure, baby. I'll go fetch her. We're almost done with our search operation," Skyler reassured her.
After exchanging goodbyes, she pocketed her phone and refocused on the task at hand.
As she turned to leave, something caught her eye-a barely visible door, slightly ajar, with a sliver of light spilling out.
Her instincts screamed at her to investigate.
Approaching with caution, she pushed the door open and gasped.
The walls were covered in photographs, each depicting a gruesome scene. The victims, posed meticulously, were surrounded by items referencing the Ten Commandments.
Skyler felt a chill run down her spine as she examined the macabre display.
Taking out her phone, she documented everything.
Each photo and piece of information was crucial. Her heart sank when she recognized some of the faces.
Among the victims were pictures of Seyren, herself, Elowen, and Azara.
A particular image of a man, Yoshino Aoi, caught her attention. He had been missing for some time, and now it was clear why.
The photos of her and Seyren were candid, taken without their knowledge.
The realization hit her like a punch to the gut-they had been stalked for an unknown period.
"Why are we here?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Lowering her gaze, she noticed a photo of Seyren and Azara boarding an aircraft, presumably to go skydiving.
Another showed her and Elowen in an intimate moment, kissing in Elowen's room.
"He's... He's a stalker?"
---
"Ang tagal ng girlfriend mo ah" Azara complained, acting annoyed even though all she could feel right now is sadness.
Elowen handed Azara a strawberry dipped in Nutella, effectively distracting her.
A moment ago, Azara had been staring intently at Seyren, but now her focus shifted to her sister, who was frowning slightly.
"What? Seyren likes that kind of combination," Elowen said with a shrug, then handed Azara a bottle of lemon juice.
"We're gonna get a stomach ache after this," Azara remarked, but she accepted the snack graciously and began to eat.
"If Seyren doesn't get a stomach ache from this, then neither will we," Elowen said with a laugh.
Azara playfully rolled her eyes and looked at the girl lying on the bed.
"She looks like she's just sleeping," Elowen observed.
"She really is just sleeping," Azara replied, and her sister nodded in agreement.
"When she wakes up, I hope she talks right away. I kinda miss her chatter," Elowen added. Azara didn't respond, but her heart silently echoed the same wish.
"Kapag talaga siya hindi nagsalita o kahit man lang hindi ngumiti, papalsakan ko yan ng megaphone" Elowen joked, earning a soft laugh from her sister.
"Since when did you become aggressive?" Azara asked, taking a bite of her strawberry.
"Since she became one." She answered truthfully, pointing the unconscious woman.
"She's not aggressive." Azara said, defending the younger woman.
"Yes she is"
"No, she's not"
"Ate, Seyren is much aggressive than any of us?"
"Much more aggressive than your girlfriend who unable you to walk for 3 days?" Azara teased.
"What? Are you serious? Yes she is, don't even deny it." Elowen retorted, sounding a bit disappointed.
"Fine, you won" Azara rolled her eyes playfully.
"Good... but yeah... My girlfriend is indeed aggressive as well... but Seyren's much more aggressive"
"Okay..."
Elowen smiled, loving how her sister submit easily, accepting the harsh truth. For some reason, Elowen felt silly for silently celebrating her won.
It's rare to win against THE Azara Cameron, that girl is really competitive.
Like 100% she'll destroy you, whether in knowledge or emotion or personal stuff.
Azara never accepted defeat, she could never and will never accept defeat.
As Azara stared at Seyren's face, she almost thought she was seeing things.
"Did her finger just move?" she wondered.
Azara blinked several times, and her eyes widened when Seyren's finger moved again.
"Oh my god!" She nearly fell off her chair in shock.
Elowen saw it too, and when their eyes met, they both seemed to turn to stone, unable to believe what they had witnessed.
They looked back at Seyren's finger, and when it moved once more, the two girls bolted from the room.
"Doc!" Azara shouted, her voice echoing down the sterile, white corridors of the hospital.
Nurses and doctors turned to look at the commotion, and seeing the urgency in Azara's eyes, they rushed toward her.
"Her finger moved! Seyren's finger moved!" Elowen added breathlessly, pointing back towards the room.
A wave of excitement and anxiety swept through the medical staff as they hurried into Seyren's room to assess her condition.
Azara and Elowen stood just outside the door, watching as the doctors performed a quick but thorough examination.
Time seemed to stretch out endlessly as they waited, their hearts pounding in unison.
Finally, one of the doctors looked up and gave them a reassuring nod.
"It appears she's beginning to regain consciousness. This is a very positive sign."
Tears welled up in Azara's eyes, and she turned to hug Elowen tightly.
"Thank god." she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
"Thank you so fucking much."
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