"She's already gone," one of them whispered.
The captain felt a sharp pain in his chest as the ambulance doors closed. His grip tightened around the gun she had given him, a painful reminder of their friendship.
Star stood frozen, disbelief etched on her face. Myeisha covered her mouth, her eyes reflecting deep sorrow.
"That can't be," Shantel muttered, her eyes wide with her arms crossed.
They had won the battle, but the cost was heavy.
Soon, they all arrived at the hospital to tend to their wounds. Callistus lay in bed, alive, while Ivan stayed by his side.
When the others arrived, Ivan felt a brief sense of relief until he learned of their loss. Callistus remained silent, and the doctors could not predict how long it would take for him to wake up.
Everyone went home in the evening, discharged. Ivan returned to an empty house. It had been empty since Callistus was captured, but now, knowing Callistus's condition, it felt emptier than ever.
—
"Catch!" Ivan shouted, tossing the basketball to Callistus.
Callistus leapt to catch it but only managed to brush the ball with his fingertips. He lost his balance and fell to his knees. The ball rolled away, and Ivan sprinted to retrieve it, leaving Callistus on the ground.
"I told you to catch it," Ivan said as he walked back, finding Callistus still sitting on the court.
"Yeah, yeah," Callistus muttered, rolling his eyes.
They shared a look before bursting into laughter. Ivan extended a hand and helped Callistus up.
"What time is it now?" Callistus asked, dusting himself off.
Just then, the school bell rang, signaling the start of class. Ivan and Callistus grabbed their things and dashed down the halls, arriving at their classroom out of breath and sweating.
"Where were you?" Mia demanded as they entered the room.
She rolled her eyes and playfully smacked them on the head with a book. Callistus glanced at the teacher's desk, noticing it was empty, and smiled in relief.
It was their last year of high school. After their year-end exams, they were finally free. Teachers were showing up less frequently, busy with graduation preparations.
The classroom buzzed with laughter and chatter. Callistus leaned on his desk, exhausted, while Mia sat next to him, resting her eyes.
"I can't believe we're leaving this place already," Ivan said. "We're finally getting out of here!"
"We're sticking together, right?" Callistus asked with a laugh.
"Of course," Ivan responded, laughing along.
—
"You?" Callistus blinked, spotting Ivan asleep next to him in the hospital bed.
Ivan jerked awake at the sound of Callistus's voice. "You're awake!"
The room erupted in excitement as everyone rushed to call the doctor.
But Callistus frowned, looking around in confusion. "Who are you people?"
The room fell silent. Had he lost his memory again?
"If you know me, can you tell me who this handsome man is?" Callistus asked, a grin spreading across his face.
Ivan's heart skipped a beat, but then he saw the playful glint in Callistus's eyes.
"I remember everything," Callistus said, his smile warm. "Long time no see, my friend."
"Friend?" Ivan chuckled, relieved.
Callistus grinned. "Sorry, I meant my fiancé."
Everyone's eyes widened. Fiancé? When did that happen?
Callistus laughed softly. "A few weeks before I was captured, I woke up with a ring on my finger after a long night with him," he explained, slowly sitting up. Then his smile faded. "Where's Mia?"
Ivan's face turned serious. "She's gone, Cal," he said gently.
Callistus's smile disappeared completely. "Gone?" he repeated, his voice barely a whisper.
Star nodded, tears in her eyes. "She was hit in the crossfire," she said softly. "She saved us… but she didn't make it."
A heavy silence settled over the room as reality sank in.
—
Days passed slowly. Callistus's strength began to return, though the wounds in his heart took longer to heal. Ivan stayed by his side day and night, unwilling to leave, even for a moment.
"You need to rest too," Callistus insisted one morning, his voice still weak but firm. "You look like a zombie."
Ivan chuckled, though his eyes were red and tired. "I'm not leaving until I know you're okay," he replied. "You scared me, Cal. I thought I'd lost you."
"You'll never lose me," Callistus murmured. "Not now, not ever."
After two long weeks, Callistus was finally discharged. Ivan took him back home, their steps slow but steady. The house still feels strangely empty, but now with a sense of hope.
Outside, the sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold. For the first time in a long time, they felt like they could breathe again. They stood there, holding each other, knowing that life would never be the same, but that they would face it side by side.
—
"When's the wedding?" Qaseh asked with a grin.
"Soon," Callistus replied.
The truth was finally out — the CEO of Chase Auctions was getting married to the love of his life. The room erupted in cheers and congratulations. This was a far better outcome than merging with CloudWave.
The captain returned to Chase Auctions, resuming his position with renewed purpose and in a much better place.
—
"Finally," Callistus sighed, lying back on their bed. "A fresh start to a new beginning."
"You think so?" Ivan teased, leaning over him. "Just don't forget our wedding is in a month."
"The same wedding that started all this chaos?" Callistus laughed. "I can't wait to marry you."