Jay POV
The first thing I felt was pain.
Not sharp. Not screaming. Just heavy. Like my leg didn't fully belong to me anymore.
When I opened my eyes, the ceiling was white. Too white. The kind of white that smells like medicine and quiet panic.
Then I realized I wasn't alone.
Angelo was standing closest to me, arms crossed but eyes full of worry. Ci-N was right beside him, leaning forward like he'd been holding his breath for hours. Felix and Calix stood near the foot of the bed. Uncle Victor and Aunty Serina were there too, her hands clasped together tightly. Keagan and Keiren stood near the window.
And then I noticed more.
The whole Section E boys were there. Some sitting. Some standing. All watching me like I might disappear again.
Hex was asleep, his head resting on Aries's leg. Aries didn't move, like even breathing too loud might wake him.
There was also an unfamiliar woman and man standing near the door.
Ci-N was the first to speak.
"Jay… you're awake."
That was all it took.
Every single face turned toward me at once.
Angelo snapped into motion. "I'm calling the doctor."
Before I could say anything, he was already gone.
The doctor arrived quickly. He checked my eyes, my arm, my leg. Pressed here, asked there.
Then he straightened up and smiled.
"Everything looks good," he said calmly. "Just the leg injury. With rest, she'll be fine in a couple of weeks."
Relief moved through the room like air finally being let back in.
The doctor left.
That's when I remembered.
Keifer.
My heart skipped painfully.
"Where's Keifer?" I asked.
The room went quiet.
Uncle Victor lifted his hand and gently pointed beside me.
I turned my head.
There was another bed.
Keifer was lying there, still unconscious. Bandages wrapped around his head. His face looked pale, too still.
Aunty Serina stepped closer, her voice soft but serious.
"Dear… do you know who attacked you two?"
I did.
My throat tightened.
"No," I said quickly. "I don't know."
She studied my face for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright."
Hex suddenly stood up and came straight to me, pulling me into a careful hug like he was afraid I'd break.
"I'm okay," I whispered. "You don't have to worry."
He pulled back, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, pretending it was nothing.
One by one, people checked on me. A hand squeeze. A quiet hug. Soft words I barely registered.
Then Angelo turned toward the unfamiliar couple near the door.
"Thank you for bringing them here," he said sincerely.
The man nodded. "No problem. Just doing what's right."
Angelo escorted them out.
The room slowly settled.
My eyes drifted back to Keifer.
I watched his chest rise and fall.
And without realizing it, sleep pulled me under again.
—
I don't know how long passed.
But I felt it.
A hand.
Warm.
Gentle.
Touching my face.
My eyes snapped open.
I froze.
Then I gasped.
"You," I whispered, shock flooding my chest.
"What do you want?"
End of Chapter 🌒