Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Patrick's heart felt like it was being wrung out. He didn't say a word, just followed behind in a heavy silence.

Max hadn't gone far when he spotted a man on the ground, gunshot wound fresh and throat slashed, having fallen from a great height. Yet, miraculously, the man was still alive.

Patrick called for reinforcements, and soon, help arrived to handle the situation. Max didn't stop; his mind was set on finding Brielle.

He trudged along the muddy path for nearly a mile before he finally spotted her silhouette. If his need to find Brielle had been strong before, now he wished with every fiber of his being that it wasn't her lying there.

She lay still, her head resting in a dark pool of blood. Max felt like the world had gone silent. He moved instinctively closer, bending down to touch her hand, terrified it would be as cold as death.

His fingertips pulled back, eyes wide with shock, sorrow, and panic. Patrick quickly stepped in, placing a finger under Brielle's nose to check for breath. Max, unable to speak, watched him desperately.

His body, which had been fueled by adrenaline, now felt icy cold. He had imagined countless ways to reunite with Brielle, but never like this. He tried to speak but found himself mute. Slowly, cautiously, he reached out and touched Brielle's palm. It was cold, devoid of warmth.

in his, exhaling a warm breath, trying to will his heat into her.

sir," Patrick confirmed, his own heart heavy at

arms felt like overcooked spaghetti. As Brielle slipped from his grasp, he gathered her up again, only for her to slip once more. His strength had abandoned him, his body paralyzed by an

Ms. Brielle. They're ready for us

Brielle onto Patrick's back. His legs gave way, leaving him barely able

and hurried

rising from the cold stone, leaning against a tree for support, feeling as though his chest was being torn apart. He had never experienced such raw agony, as if his

vel

forward, tripped, and the flashlight he carried broke, plunging his surroundings into darkness. With an exceptional memory, he recalled the exact number of steps he had taken. Discarding

was clear. How strange. He had lived for twenty-six years but had never felt such

finally arrived, everyone was taken aback by his disheveled

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