I didn't know how long I had been crying, but the depth of sorrow within me seemed impossible to contain.
"Alex, please hang on. Please don't die," I pleaded in a whisper, my voice on the verge of breaking into sobs. "Please don't leave me alone. I'm terrified."
At that moment, a faint squeeze in my hand brought me a glimmer of hope. I realized that Alex had shifted his gaze ever so slightly. Was he awake?! A surge of excitement and relief coursed through me, and I held onto his hand tightly.
"Alex, are you okay?"
Slowly, Alex opened his eyes, his touch against my face gently as he wiped away my tears. "Don't cry," he whispered.
"No, I won't cry. I was... just worried. But now that you're awake..." I stumbled over my words, my desperation giving way to renewed hope. "Come on, let me help you up."
