To Love Again | LingOrm AU

Chapter 7: When Secrets Unravel

Author's Warning:

I want to take a moment to provide a gentle warning for this chapter. It contains mentions of blood, descriptions of a wound injury, as well as references to needles and medical procedures. While nothing is severely graphic, if you are sensitive to these themes or if they might trigger any discomfort, please consider skipping this chapter.

===

Orm's world narrowed to a singular moment as she watched Ling sway, her face suddenly drained of color. Time seemed to slow as Ling's knees buckled, her body succumbing to the injury she had so stubbornly tried to hide.

She lunged forward, arms outstretched, adrenaline surging through her veins. The impact of Ling's body against hers knocked the breath from her lungs, but Orm held on tightly, her muscles straining under the sudden weight. The warmth of Ling's body against hers was overshadowed by a terrifying limpness.

As Orm struggled to maintain her grip, she felt something warm and wet seeping through her clothes. Her heart lurched as realization dawned – blood. Ling's blood. The severity of the situation hit her like a physical blow, fear clawing at her throat.

With trembling hands and a strength born of desperation, Orm gently lowered Ling onto the couch. Her movements were careful, almost reverent, as if Ling might shatter at any moment. The startling shift between Ling's usual strength and her current vulnerability sent a wave of anguish through Orm.

Orm's own breath came in short, panicked gasps as she fought to control her rising panic. "Ling?" Orm's voice was a hoarse whisper, thick with emotion. She leaned in closer, her hand cupping Ling's cheek. "Ling, can you hear me?"

The silence that followed her plea was deafening. Orm's heart pounded in her ears, each beat a desperate prayer for Ling to open her eyes, to show any sign of consciousness. But Ling remained unresponsive, her features slack, oblivious to Orm's growing distress.

With shaking fingers, Orm brushed a strand of hair from Ling's forehead, the tender gesture belying the gravity of the situation. "Hold on, Ling," she whispered fiercely. "Just hold on. I'm going to get help."

Fighting back panic, Orm's eyes darted around the room, landing on her phone on the nearby table. She lunged for it, nearly knocking over a lamp in her haste. Her fingers, slick with Ling's blood, fumbled over the screen as she scrolled through her contacts.

Orm's trembling fingers clutched the phone, her knuckles white with tension. She pressed it to her ear, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

"Come on, come on," she whispered, her voice cracking with desperation. Each ring echoed in her ear, stretching into an unbearable eternity. "Dr. Nadir, please..."

Her eyes darted back to Ling's still form, terror clawing at her chest. She leaned down, her free hand hovering over Ling's mouth, desperate to feel the faint warmth of breath.

"Pick up, damn it!" Orm hissed through clenched teeth, her plea a frantic prayer in the deafening silence of the apartment.

After what seemed like ages, a groggy voice answered. "Hello? Nong Orm? What's—"

"Dr. Nadir!" Orm cut in, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I need your help. My friend, she's unconscious, there's blood—I don't know what happened, but she's hurt badly."

There was a brief pause, then Dr. Nadir's voice came back, sharp and alert. "Nong Orm, listen carefully. Is she breathing?"

Orm leaned in, her hand hovering over Ling's mouth. "Yes, yes, she's breathing."

"Good. Now, tell me exactly what you see. Where is the blood coming from?" Dr Nadir asked calmly.

As Orm described the scene, her eyes never left Ling's pale face. Questions swirled in her mind—what had happened to Ling? Why hadn't she said anything? But those would have to wait. Right now, all that mattered was getting help.