The safe house was eerily quiet, the only sound the ragged breathing coming from Dominic as he lay on the couch. His skin was pale, his breathing shallow, and the blood loss was becoming more apparent by the second.
Elijah sat beside him, gripping his hand tightly. He couldn't let go—not now. His chest felt tight, his mind racing. He had seen Dominic strong, dangerous, untouchable. But now, he was weak, vulnerable, barely clinging to consciousness. It scared him more than anything.
Vincent worked quickly, his hands steady despite the panic that threatened to consume them all. He ripped open the first aid kit, grabbing a needle and thread.
"We need to stop the bleeding," Vincent muttered, his voice sharp with focus. "Elijah, get me more gauze. Now."
Elijah snapped out of his daze and scrambled toward the bag of supplies. His hands were shaking as he pulled out what Vincent needed and rushed back.
Adrian stood near the door, arms crossed tightly over his chest. His expression was unreadable, but Elijah knew he was just as worried.
"Is he gonna be okay?" Adrian asked, his voice unusually quiet.
Vincent didn't answer right away. He worked quickly, pressing gauze against Dominic's wound, trying to stop the bleeding before stitching it. Dominic barely flinched—his body was too weak to react properly.
"I won't let him die," Vincent said firmly. "But he needs rest. And we need to be ready in case someone tracks us here."
Elijah swallowed hard. The reality of the situation was sinking in. Dominic had risked everything for this fight, for him. And now he was on the brink of death.
Elijah reached out, brushing damp strands of hair away from Dominic's forehead. His fingers trembled as they touched his clammy skin.
"You're gonna be fine," Elijah whispered, more to himself than to Dominic. "You have to be."
For a moment, Dominic's eyelids fluttered open. His gaze was unfocused, but when he saw Elijah, something in him settled. He tried to speak, but his voice was weak, barely a whisper.
"Elijah…"
"I'm right here," Elijah said quickly, leaning in closer.
Dominic's lips parted slightly, but no words came out. His hand twitched in Elijah's grip, his fingers weakly curling around his. It was barely a touch, but it sent a sharp pain through Elijah's chest.
Vincent finished stitching the wound and wrapped it tightly. "He needs rest. We need to keep an eye on him."
Elijah didn't move from his spot beside Dominic. He wouldn't. Not until he was sure Dominic was safe.
Adrian finally stepped forward, his usual carefree attitude nowhere to be found. "You good, man?" he asked Elijah.
Elijah didn't answer right away. He just stared at Dominic, his grip on his hand tightening.
"No," Elijah admitted. "But I will be… when he wakes up."
Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah… me too."
The tension in the room didn't ease, but for now, there was nothing else to do but wait.
And hope Dominic didn't slip away.
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