The scream still echoed in Elias's ears, a jagged crack slicing through the sterile hospital air.
Glass shattered everywhere—like ice exploding in slow motion—sprinkling down over Damien and the masked man as they fell to the floor. Blood hit the white tiles, sharp and metallic, invading Elias's senses. His heart pounded so loud it nearly drowned out the chaos.
And then—a second figure lunged from behind the curtain, fingers reaching for him.
Panic surged. No. Not again. Not now.
"Get away from him!"
Cassian crashed into the room like a whirlwind, white coat billowing behind him. Without hesitation, he grabbed an IV pole and swung it hard against the intruder's side. The man crumpled, gasping.
Elias's breath caught in his throat. His legs trembled. He felt frozen—like a statue—unable to move or scream.
Cassian was suddenly beside him, warm hands steadying his face, checking for injuries. "Are you hurt? Elias, talk to me—"
Words felt useless, stuck behind a wall of fear and disbelief. How did it get this bad? How could danger find him here—of all places?
Behind Cassian, Damien snarled, slamming the first attacker's head into the floor. The man went limp.
A nurse screamed in the hallway. Alarms blared. Footsteps thundered closer.
Hospital security burst in, followed by two officers who tackled the second attacker and hauled him away from Damien's bleeding body.
"Two suspects. Both armed," one officer barked into his radio. "Room secure. Forensics coming."
Cassian's hands were warm, grounding. His voice was calm, but Elias's mind was spinning.
Why me? Why now?
"I didn't see them coming," Elias stammered, voice barely above a whisper. "They were so fast—I thought—"
"You're safe now," Cassian said gently. "You're okay."
But Elias couldn't stop shaking. His eyes darted to Damien, who was slowly rising, chest heaving, blood soaking through his shirt. The fury in Damien's eyes made Elias's stomach twist.
"Who sent them?" Damien muttered, voice low and dangerous.
Elias blinked. The memory of that blurry photo flashed in his mind—the one showing him. "Was it… the same person?"
Damien's jaw clenched tight. "I don't know. But they're getting bolder."
And Elias felt a cold dread crawl up his spine. If they keep coming, if they don't stop—what happens to me? To Damien?
---
Hospital Corridor – Later That Night
The corridor outside Elias's room buzzed with hushed voices and police tape fluttering like a warning.
Damien gave his statement, teeth clenched as a nurse pressed bandages to his side. Inside, Cassian stayed close, sitting silently by Elias's bed, refusing to leave.
Elias stared at Damien through the glass. His chest felt tight, guilt choking him.
He got hurt because of me.
"He saved me," Elias whispered, voice cracking.
Cassian reached for his hand, fingers gentle but steady. "He's not the only one who'd get hurt for you."
Their eyes locked. The weight of that simple truth sank deep.
"Why?" Elias breathed. "Why are you doing this? You barely know me."
Cassian shrugged, but his voice was soft, honest. "Because I see you—the way you look when you think no one's watching. Like you're waiting for the worst. Like you're already saying goodbye."
Elias swallowed, throat tight. How does he see me so clearly?
"I don't know what this is," Cassian said, "but I want to protect you too. Not because I'm obsessed—because I care."
Elias didn't answer. His eyes flickered down, then back up again, unable to pull away.
Part of him wanted to believe it. Part of him was terrified to hope.
---
Outside the Hospital
Damien stood in the cold night, phone pressed to his ear, jaw tight.
"Two masked men in a hospital. That's no random attack," he said.
The voice on the other end was gravelly, cold. "Your kid isn't just bait anymore. Someone wants him gone."
"I'll find out who," Damien promised, voice low, fierce. "And when I do, I'll rip them apart."
He hung up, and through the hospital window he caught a glimpse of Elias laughing softly with Cassian—the doctor's hand resting too close on Elias's wrist.
A flare of possessiveness exploded in Damien's chest.
Not him.
No one gets what's mine.
---
Later – Cassian's Car
The hospital finally quiet. Elias drifting into uneasy sleep. Cassian stepped outside, phone in hand.
An unknown number blinked on the screen.
"Thank you for the distraction, Doctor. Drive safe :)"
Cassian frowned.
Elias's mind raced. Who was that? Why does this feel like a warning?
Cassian unlocked his car, started it, pulled onto the empty street.
Elias's breath caught as he imagined the black SUV parked across the road, the glint of metal, the silent threat.
Cassian didn't see it. Didn't hear it. Didn't have a chance.
Then—
BOOM.
The car exploded like a bomb, spinning out of control, flipping, crashing into a streetlight. Glass shattered everywhere.
Elias's heart dropped, pounding so hard he thought it might burst.
---
Back Inside the Hospital
Elias woke with a start, sweat soaking his sheets.
His phone buzzed again.
Unknown number.
He answered before he could think.
A mechanical voice hissed:
"You should've stayed with Damien. Now because of you the Doc is going to die."
The call cut off.
Then, a photo came through.
Cassian's mangled car. Smoke rising. Blood smeared across the windshield.
Elias's chest tightened until it felt like his ribs would break.
A storm of fear, guilt, and helplessness crashed over him.
What now?
Someone was sending a message. And it wasn't done.
Elias closed his eyes, trying to steady his shaking hands.
How much more can I take? How long before this nightmare swallows us all?