So the war had started. Looks like they broke their promise… after everything. I hope the families are okay.
And, Laila. God… is Laila okay?
The beeping grew louder.
A shadow moved above me.
The pain surged again. Why couldn't they hear me? I needed to go back.
"Shh…", she said in a tender voice.
Oh. She could hear me.
Then I felt a cool hand on my forehead. It steadied me.
"Listen to me, Firefox," she whispered. "You are safe. A little bruised but you will be fine, Firefox. Get some rest, we will talk."
That voice. So calm. So commanding… yet strangely gentle.
Firefox? Who was Firefox?
Safe? She had said there was a war. How were we safe?
I need to be out there. All those plans weren't made so I could lie here helpless.
"Calm down, Firefox.", she said softly. "For now, just rest and get stronger. Let me take care of things until then."
Is she calling me Firefox?
Somehow… I didn't think I could argue with her. She sounded like she knew what she was doing.
But what about Laila?
"His heart rate is climbing," someone said.
"Of course it is." Amusement warmed her voice. "He's awake."
Awake? Had they expected me not to wake up?
Her hand settled carefully on my uninjured shoulder.
"Easy, fiesty finch. Your heart is trying to escape."
First Firefox, now a finch. Was this woman all right?
"You're safe," she said again.
Somehow, I believed her.
Then another explosion tore through the air. The room shuddered, and plaster dust sifted from the ceiling. Memories drifted through my mind like smoke—faces, promises, Laila.
"Safe for now," the woman murmured.