He snatched a lamp nearby, its cold, heavy base a makeshift weapon in his trembling hands. His heart pounded in his chest, echoing the chaos outside.
Zach positioned himself defensively, ready to confront any threat that dared to come through the door.
The door burst open, slamming against the wall with a deafening crash. Zach's breath hitched, his grip tightening on the lamp.
But the figure who appeared was not what he expected.
"Zach…" Yves muttered, his voice shaky, a mixture of relief and exhaustion evident in his eyes.
He stood there, chest heaving, as if he had been running for his life.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The chaos outside faded into a dull roar as Zach processed what he was seeing.
Then, as if in a dream, he let the lamp slip from his grasp. It fell to the floor with a thud, forgotten.
Zach crossed the room in a few swift strides, his face a mask of disbelief and overwhelming relief.
