"Seve," Dior called out as he walked over, holding the door open for us. "Come inside," he said, glancing between me and Kaylo.
I looked at Dior, then at Kaylo, who seemed unsure. His hesitation was clear in his eyes. I gave him a small, reassuring smile and gently squeezed his hand. "It's going to be alright," I whispered, trying to ease his nerves.
(Seve & kaylo)
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When we stepped into the room, Sarah's mother greeted us with a warm, grateful smile. Her eyes looked tired, but there was a deep sense of relief behind them. "Thank you so much for being here for our kids," she said, her voice soft but full of emotion.
I smiled back at her, my throat tightening with a mix of emotions. "Of course," I replied, my voice quiet but heartfelt. "We're just happy that they're okay."
Rhead’s father stood nearby, his expression serious but appreciative. He nodded at us, his voice steady as he spoke. "We can't thank you enough for looking out for our son," he said with genuine sincerity.
Beside me, Kaylo shifted uncomfortably, his eyes fixed on Rhead, who was lying asleep in the hospital bed. I could feel the weight of the moment on him.
I swallowed hard, feeling the emotion in my chest, and quietly added, "It’s the least we could do." My words were barely audible, but the meaning was clear.
Kaylo remained silent, his gaze lingering on Rhead’s still form. I could sense the turmoil building inside him, the guilt that came with feeling like we could have done more. He had always been the quiet one, the one who internalized everything, but right now, I could tell he was struggling with it.
"I should have been faster," Kaylo finally whispered, his voice barely above a breath. He looked down, avoiding everyone’s eyes, his fists clenching at his sides. "If I had just been quicker... maybe none of this would’ve happened."
I turned to him, my heart sinking at the self-blame in his voice. "Kaylo, you can’t think like that," I said gently, stepping closer. "You did everything you could. We all did." I reached out, placing my hand on his arm, feeling the tension in his muscles. "This isn’t your fault."
For a moment, he didn’t respond. His jaw tightened, but then he let out a shaky breath. "I just… I don’t know if I can forgive myself for it," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion.
I squeezed his arm, trying to ground him. "It’s not about forgiveness. It’s about understanding that sometimes… things happen that we can’t control. What matters is that you were there when it counted. You helped save them."
Sarah's mother, who had been watching quietly, stepped forward then. Her eyes were full of understanding. "Kaylo," she said softly, "none of this is on you. You were brave—braver than most would be in your situation. We’re all just grateful you’re here. I know Sarah is too. You saved my daughter's dignity, and I can never repay you for that."
