The girl flinched, startled by how quickly he regained consciousness. She leaned in, her voice laced with concern.
"Hey, are you alright?"
Sean blinked up at her, his vision adjusting. Pain still radiated through his body, but it was duller now, manageable. Then, he saw her.
A girl, probably around his age, staring at him with wide, intelligent hazel eyes. Her golden-brown skin glowed in the dim light, and her short, wavy hair moved slightly in the breeze. Streaks of purple and gold caught his eye, shimmering under the moonlight.
Despite everything, a small, weak smile tugged at his lips.
She felt her heart skip a beat.
'Wow…' She thought, momentarily stunned. 'You are quite handsome, aren't you? And that smile.'
She mentally slapped herself.
Pull yourself together, Khalia. He's hurt. He almost died. And here you are getting distracted.
She cleared her throat and quickly refocused.
Noticing that some of Sean's wounds were slowly healing, she reached out to him.
"Let's go. We have to get out of here. You need a hospital." She urged.
She tried to pull him up, but the moment he attempted to move, his entire body resisted. He was still too weak.
Frowning, Khalia took a step back, inhaling deeply as her irises shimmered gold. A soft glow flickered through her pupils as she scanned him, assessing the extent of his injuries.
'Oh my god…' She thought, her stomach twisting. 'He's hurt worse than I thought.'
She turned back to him. "I'll help you, but you have to try to get up, okay? I can't do it on my own."
Sean gave a weak nod and raised his arm toward her. Khalia took it and carefully draped it around her shoulders. With a deep breath, she pulled him up, guiding him into a sitting position, his feet dangling off the rubble.
"Okay, we're going to move. I'll support you." She assured him.
Sean tensed, fully expecting to collapse, but to his shock, he was able to stand, albeit shakily.
'I don't understand…' He thought, his mind hazy. 'How am I not dead? I was sure I was going to die.'
His gaze flickered toward the girl beside him.
Her hazel eyes shone in the dim light, and her smooth toffee-colored skin was flawless, as if untouched by the chaos surrounding them.
'Who is she?' He wondered. 'Did she… save me? But how?'
Khalia turned to him, her expression determined.
"Are you ready?" She asked. The wind lifted her hair, revealing the streaks of gold and purple beneath the dark strands.
Sean swallowed hard and nodded.
'I don't know why you're helping me, and you don't even know me… but thank god you were here, or I'd be dead.'
Khalia took the first step, and Sean followed.
Or at least, he tried.
The moment he moved his leg, pain exploded up his spine. His entire body seized up, and before he could stop himself, he collapsed forward, hitting the ground with a heavy thud.
A sharp, agonizing cry ripped from his throat.
Khalia's heart lurched. She immediately dropped to his side, panic flashing across her face.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry!" She gasped, reaching for him.
Sean tried to move again, but the moment her hands brushed against him, another scream tore from his lips.
Khalia froze.
'Shit…' She thought, realizing just how fragile he was.
This wasn't going to be easy.
Sean clenched his teeth, his entire body rigid with agony. A fresh wave of pain surged up his spine, making his breath hitch.
Stop. He gasped, his voice raw. "It hurts… my back… it hurts."
Khalia immediately stilled, her hazel eyes flickering gold as she scanned his body once more. As her vision adjusted, the severity of his injuries became even clearer; fractured ribs, deep bruising, and internal damage that made her stomach twist with concern.
'Damn it… He's worse off than I thought,' she realized, her expression darkening.
Sean, despite the pain coursing through him, noticed the shift in her face. He hated seeing that worry, especially when it was for him.
Hey. He said weakly, forcing his voice to be steady. "It's not your fault. But… thank you for helping me. I'm sure I would've died there if it wasn't for you."
Khalia blinked, momentarily caught off guard by his gratitude. A small, genuine smile spread across her lips.
"I'm Khalia." She said, offering her name as she met his gaze.
Sean mirrored her smile, though it was weaker, tinged with exhaustion. "I'm Sean… Thank you again, Khalia."
She nodded, but her mind was elsewhere.
'I'm sorry, Sean… I want to help you, but I can't let you know who I really am. I can't let anyone know.'
The weight of her secret pressed heavily on her chest. Before she could dwell on it further, a sound interrupted her thoughts.
Footsteps.
Khalia's head snapped up, her body tensing. The rhythmic approach of boots against the pavement sent a chill down Sean's spine.
His heart pounded.
'Oh no… I hope Joe and his men aren't back.' He thought, panic flaring in his gut. 'If they find Khalia here, she'll get caught up in this. I can't let that happen. She was just trying to help me.'
Summoning what little strength he had left, Sean turned his head toward her, his expression urgent.
"Go hide, Khalia." He said firmly. "If those men are back, I don't want you to get hurt."
His voice held a protective edge despite his weakened state. He was lying on the ground, barely able to move, yet he was still trying to shield her.
Khalia stared at him, momentarily stunned.
'He'd protect me… a complete stranger… even when he's this vulnerable?'
Something flickered in her gaze; amusement, curiosity, and maybe even a hint of admiration.
'Hmmm, you might just come in handy, Sean.' She thought.
But instead of running, she lifted her chin, her resolve strengthening.
"I won't leave you, Sean." She declared, her voice unwavering. "You can't even move."
For a moment, Sean could only stare at her.
Warmth spread through him at her words. Most people would have run at the first sign of danger, but she stood her ground, unwavering, fearless.
'She's willing to stay… even after seeing what happened to me?' His emerald-green eyes softened as he looked at her. 'Who are you, Khalia? And why are you so brave and kind?'
The footsteps grew louder. Khalia instinctively straightened, her muscles coiled in preparation for a fight. But as the figures came into view, she exhaled sharply, her body relaxing. Recognition flickered across her face.
"Uncle James." She breathed, relief washing over her.
A tall, commanding man strode forward, his presence immediately dominating the space. Behind him, two men dressed in black flanked him like silent shadows.