Twilight of Shadows | LingOrm (GxG)

TWENTY FOUR

The warehouse is silent now, a cold and desolate shell. The blaring sirens of the ambulance and police vehicles had faded into the distance. Lada sat on the grimy concrete, her arms wrapped tightly around Narin, her heart pounding with fear and regret. The stench of blood and sweat hung in the air, a grim reminder of the night's violence.

Narin trembled in her arms, shivering from both cold and fear. Lada's fingers moved soothingly through her daughter's hair, her own tears mingling with Narin's.

"Mommy," Narin's voice was a fragile whisper. "I'm so scared. Aunty Earn was bleeding so much. She was hurt, and I couldn't do anything."

Lada's heart ached. "I know, sweetheart. You were so brave. And Aunty Earn... she was incredibly brave too. She risked everything to save you. We need to be strong for her now."

Narin's eyes, swollen from crying, searched her mother's face. "Mommy, will Aunty Earn be okay? She was hurt really bad. I saw her lying there, and she looked so tired and in pain."

Lada held Narin closer, her own voice wavering as she fought to control her tears. "The doctors are going to do everything they can. Aunty Earn is very strong. She fought hard to save you. We have to believe she'll be okay."

Lada's mind was haunted by the image of Earn's bloodied form. She'd seen Earn's life slipping away and couldn't shake the image from her mind. Earn had come to protect Narin, and now she is fighting for her own life. Lada's emotions were a whirlwind of guilt, gratitude, and sorrow.

"Mommy," Narin's voice broke through her thoughts. "Aunty Earn saved me. She didn't cry when she got hurt. She just kept trying to help me. Why did she have to get hurt so badly?"

Lada wiped her tears away, her heart breaking at her daughter's innocent question. "Because she loves you so much. She was trying to protect you, and sometimes, people get hurt when they're doing something really important. It's not fair, but it shows how much she cares."

Narin clung to Lada, her small body shivering. "I don't want her to die, Mommy. I don't want to lose her."

Lada's own fear was mirrored in her daughter's eyes. "Shhuuuu... neither do I, baby. We'll do everything we can to make sure she's okay. We have to hold on to hope and believe in the strength of those who care about us."

Narin nodded, her tiny fingers gripping Lada's shirt tightly. "I'll try to be brave, Mommy. Just like Aunty Earn was."

Lada's heart swelled with pride and anguish as she rocked Narin gently. The warehouse's cold, dark silence was an indifferent backdrop to the turmoil within her. She glanced around at the scene, now being cleaned and secured by officers. The magnitude of what had happened was settling in, and it was more than she could fully grasp.

She thought of Earn—of the sacrifices made and the feelings she had kept hidden for so long. The possibility of losing Earn had laid bare the depth of her emotions, a painful revelation she hadn't anticipated.

Lada looked up at the sky, her hands clasped together in a silent prayer. "Please, let her survive. Please don't take her from us. Not now."

Footsteps approached, and Lada turned to see Apinya walking towards her, concern etched on his face.

"Lada, shall we go?" Apinya's voice was gentle but firm. "We need to take Narin for a medical check-up to make sure she's alright."

Lada nodded, her throat tight with a mix of exhaustion and lingering worry. She carefully stood up, cradling Narin in her arms. "Yes, of course. Let's go."

Before they left, Lada turned to Apinya with a determined look. "Please make sure the police handle everything here. I need to know that the scene is secure and all the evidence is preserved. I can't bear the thought of anything being overlooked."

Apinya nodded, understanding. "I'll make sure it's taken care of. Don't worry."

As Lada and Apinya made their way to the waiting vehicle, Lada glanced back at the warehouse one last time. Her heart was heavy with unanswered questions and unresolved feelings. The road ahead was uncertain, but she was resolved to fight for her family, to hold on to the love and bravery that had brought them this far.