As I stumbled through the station's ruined hallway, I saw him:
A man—holding a little girl in his lap, crying.
He was begging someone—anyone—to help him carry her.
Just like I had begged for Rishab moments ago.
Without thinking, I rushed over.
Me:
"There's a grocery store nearby—I don't know if it's safe,
but we might find medicine there.
Come on, let's run!"
He looked at me, desperate and shaking, and nodded.
Stranger:
"Please… please take care of my little girl.
I know I'm asking a lot—but she's my everything. My daughter."
He turned away.
He ran toward the monsters—on purpose—drawing them away from us.
They tore him apart.
But it gave me time.
I ran with the girl over my shoulder.
I didn't know who she was.
I didn't know why I was doing this.
Was it pity?
Was it because I saw her the same way I saw my friends?
I didn't care.
I just wanted to save her.
---
I reached the grocery store, pulled the shutter down, and locked it.
I didn't waste a second.
I searched the shelves, the drawers, the cabinets—looking for anything to help her.
Bandages.
Painkillers.
Anything.
She was breathing.
Barely.
But she was alive.
That day... I managed to save her.
But sometimes I wonder—
If I hadn't saved her,
Would it have been better?
After three hours…
I did my best to treat the girl, trying to figure out what was happening to her.
I remembered some random medical articles I'd read for fun... and some manhwa about doctors.
I started giving her basic treatment using whatever knowledge I had.
Eventually, her condition stabilized.
I thought to myself:
"Why the hell am I doing this? I could just abandon her. Those monsters—whatever they were—I could still avoid them if I ran. I'm not far from the station. This isn't even a safe place. But… what would Rishab do if he was in my place?"
Tears escaped my eyes.
Suddenly, the girl spit up blood.
I immediately ran toward her, held her close, and said:
"It's alright, it's alright. You're alive. Don't worry. Everything is alright. Everything is going to be okay."
The girl (weakly):
"Where… where is my dad?"
Vishwa (forcing a fake smile):
"Ohh… he went to get some medicine for you."
(Yeah, I lied.)
The girl:
"Medicine? For me?
I always cause trouble to Dad.
If I had just run like he said…
He wouldn't have had to be in trouble because of me.
I'm such a bad girl."
Vishwa:
"No. You're a good girl. Don't worry about this. Just sleep well."