387: SHADOWED THOUGHTS
ARIEL’S POV
I made my way to the waiting area to finally get some rest, and all of a sudden, I felt someone tapping my shoulder. I turned around quickly.
It was Andre.
“Oh, Andre. I never expected to see you here.”
“Yeah,” he said, dipping his hands inside his pockets. “I just came to check up on you. “You know, since you’ve been going to the hospital all day.”
I let out a deep sigh. “You know Luke is in a coma.”
“Yeah, I do. But I’m also concerned about you, Ariel.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate that.”
“Have you eaten today?” He asked.
“No, not really. I’m not hungry.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes, Andre. There’s no need for you to be worried about me.” I placed both of my hands on his shoulders.
“I know, but I just wanted to make sure you’re taking care of yourself,” he murmured, his eyes searching
mine for reassurance.
“I know, and I appreciate it more than I can say,” I replied, my voice soft with emotion. “But right now, I just need to be here for Luke.”
His hand found mine, squeezing it gently. “You don’t have to go through this alone, Ariel. I’m here for you, whatever you need.”
you, André. How’s everyone?”
up as best as they can. Your mother is trying to stay
she’s worried sick.”
clenched at the thought of my mother grappling with Luke’s condition; her pain mirrored in my own. “I wish there
already doing everything you can, Ariel,” Andre reassured me, tightening
me a lot. Thank you
into a gentle smile. “You don’t have to thank me, Ariel. I’ll always
what.”
together, but I took mine off his.
you what
me a curious look.
a positive sign, but they need to run more tests
“That’s incredible news, Ariel. I’m so glad to hear it. How are
me. “I’m just… exhausted, I guess. But seeing him respond, even
You’ve been through so much together and never given up on each other. Luke’s
so much, Andre.”
Ariel. You don’t have
I smiled at him.
just have to pray that Luke
for that
with his warm smile. “Excuse me, please
that. After a while, this was great news; it was what I wanted,
on the quiet road, heading back to the place where Luke and I had spent a wonderful time before
it was still at that cabin in the sprawling forest. And
off my shoulders, but the exhaustion from the long
My heart skipped a beat,
car to a
frantically. But there was no one there. The road stretched out before me, empty
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