Forbidden Enchantment

Chapter 21

The hospital room was bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the window. The quiet hum of machines was the only sound breaking the stillness. Alara lay in her bed, the dim light casting gentle shadows on her face as she slept.

Alara didn't know how long she had slept, but it was still dark when she was gently awakened. Confused, she opened her eyes and saw Zach and Nora standing in front of her. Both looked at her expectantly.

"What's wrong?" Alara murmured sleepily. Her voice sounded rough from the exhaustion that had come over her again and again in the last few days. Nora handed her a medicine, which only added to her confusion. Had she complained of pain in her sleep? Why had no one said anything?

Zach grinned next to her, but she didn't get an answer to her questions about what was going on. "Just wait and see," Zach replied, still grinning, which only made Alara even more restless. Why this mysterious behavior? Had anything changed?

Nora and he helped Alara stand up and put her in a wheelchair. They began their journey through the dark corridors of the hospital. Alara knew the way, but she couldn't believe where they were going.

As Zach and Nora wheeled her through the darkened corridors, Alara could hear the faint whispers of the night staff, the distant hum of machines, and the occasional creak of the old hospital floors. The cool night air brushed against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Why are we bringing me here? What's happening here?" Alara asked incessantly. "Did something happen to Blake? Why this secrecy?" The uncertainty gnawed at her, made her heart beat faster and her breath hitch. Every moment that passed felt like an eternity, didn't she have the right to know immediately what was going on with Blake?

But neither Zach nor Nora gave her an answer. Her thoughts raced. Had Blake's condition worsened? Or had he finally woken up? What were they up to? The silence around her seemed oppressive and heavy, as if the walls of the hospital increased her fear.

When they stopped at Blake's door, Nora finally explained to her, "Zach and I agreed to give you time with Blake, at least at night. We believe that it will be good for you and for him, even if nothing has changed in his situation yet."

Alara felt a sudden sigh of relief and at the same time a wave of gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, tears in her eyes. The idea of being close to him, showing him her love and support, brought a deep relief. It was as if a heavy stone was taken from her heart. Finally, she could hope again that her presence could help him.

Nora nodded and added, "But for that, you have to promise us not to flee your room alone to go to Blake."

Alara looked Nora in the eyes, her voice trembling with relief and emotion. "I promise. I will no longer flee alone."

"That's all we want," Nora said softly, smiling at her.

Zach and Nora brought Alara to the chair next to Blake's bed. She immediately clung to his hand, feeling the familiar, if cold, touch of his fingers. The two then left her alone with Blake, quietly withdrew, and closed the door behind them.

Alara sat there, in the silent darkness, her hand tightly clasped around Blake's hand. She felt the tears running inexorably down her cheeks. "Blake," she whispered, "please, wake up. I need you."

Why did everything have to be so difficult? Why couldn't life grant them even a moment of peace? Alara thought of the first few days she'd spent with Blake, the teasing of each other, the way they'd laughed together, the way he'd encouraged her. Now he lay here, so silent and lifeless. It was as if a part of herself had been lost when he passed out.

She remembered his touches, his kisses, the warmth of his closeness. How could she go on without that? Every breath seemed heavy, as if she could hardly breathe without him. The thoughts of the future together that she wanted so much felt like a distant dream that moved further and further into the distance. Would it ever be good? Would they be able to continue together? Were they even granted happiness together?