Concrete Jungle || Bad Omens || Noah Sebastian

Chapter four

Noah watched the door close with a dull thud, the metal tray left on the floor before him. His heart was slowing laboriously as the adrenaline faded, replaced by a cold awareness: they were still trapped. That fleeting hope of someone coming to rescue them had extinguished swiftly.

He approached the tray, bending down to see what had been left for him. The light was dim, but he could still make out a piece of stale bread, a bowl of something resembling watery soup, and a couple of glasses of water. It was barely enough for one person, let alone two.

Noah ran a hand over his face, trying to maintain his composure. He looked back at Elise, her slender, trembling body lying still on the floor, her breathing still erratic. Occasionally, she moved slightly, small tremors indicating that she was struggling to stay conscious. She needed to eat; she had to regain her strength, or she wouldn’t make it.

Taking a deep breath, Noah picked up the tray and returned to her side, kneeling carefully. He wasn’t even sure if she could eat by herself. He placed the tray down beside her and gently touched Elise’s shoulder.

“Elise…” he murmured softly, trying to rouse her. The girl let out a faint sound, but her eyes remained shut. Noah bit his lip, feeling the urgency creeping into his thoughts.

“You need to eat something,” he continued, more insistently. “It will help you heal faster.”

Elise merely groaned, as if the very idea were a burden too great to bear. Noah took the piece of bread and broke off a small chunk. “Just a little. Try, please” he said, bringing the morsel to her dry lips.

With a slight effort, Elise opened her mouth, but she couldn’t coordinate her movements. Noah had to assist her, gently supporting her head as he tried to help her swallow the tiny piece. It felt like a battle, each movement slow and laborious, but eventually, she managed to swallow.

“Well done,” Noah murmured, warmth flooding through him in a way he didn’t think he could still feel in such a desperate situation. He felt powerless, but caring for her gave him a sense of purpose, a reason to keep fighting. He wouldn’t give up until she was safe too.

He took the bowl of soup and, with a trembling hand, poured a spoonful into her lips. Elise sipped in small gulps, coughing slightly, but Noah didn’t stop. Even though the soup tasted like dirty water, it was better than nothing. Every drop could make a difference.

“Noah…” Elise murmured suddenly, her voice weak but aware. Her eyes opened just a crack, and for a moment, he caught a glimmer of life in her gaze.

“Yes, I’m here,” he replied, trying to keep his tone calm despite the anguish tightening his stomach. “You need to keep eating, okay? Everything will be alright.”

But even as he spoke those words, he felt the weight of the lie he was telling. There was no certainty that things would turn out fine. Yet those were the only words he could offer her, the only way to keep hope alive.

Elise nodded weakly and let Noah continue to feed her, her body still fragile and feverish. For every bite he gave her, Noah took only a small portion for himself. His stomach growled with hunger, but he couldn’t afford to take more than Elise needed. She had to come first. He couldn’t afford to lose her.

Time seemed to flow strangely in the cell, as if every second dragged on infinitely. After finishing the soup, Noah offered her small sips of water, always careful not to let her choke. Elise seemed a bit more alert now, even though her body still trembled with chills.

After a few more minutes, Noah sat down beside her again, exhausted. His stomach was still empty, but that didn’t matter. It was more important that Elise continued to fight.

She opened her eyes again, searching for his gaze. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.

Noah shook his head. “Don’t thank me. I’ll get you out of here,” he said, even though he knew his words echoed hollow in that place devoid of escape routes. Yet he had to believe that promise, for her sake and for his own.

“Stay here. Don’t leave me…” Elise’s voice was so fragile, almost broken by fear.

“I won’t leave you. Never,” Noah replied, with a firmness that surprised him. Elise looked at him for a moment longer, then her eyes closed again, slipping into a restless sleep.

He continued to caress her hair and left a sweet kiss on her sweat-beaded forehead. He hadn't even had to think about it, as if his body was used to such a gesture. As if she wasn't a stranger who had unfortunately ended up in that situation with him.

Noah gently lifted the edge of the makeshift bandage wrapped around Elise’s abdomen. The blood had started to seep through the gauze again, dark red against the white fabric. His chest tightened at the sight, but he forced himself to stay calm. He pressed down carefully on the wound, hoping to slow the bleeding, though he knew they couldn’t go on like this much longer without proper medical care.

“Elise…” he murmured softly, his voice low as if not to disturb her fragile state. “Stay with me. I know it hurts, but you’re doing so well. You’re strong…”

He kept his hand on the bandage, applying gentle pressure as he leaned closer, his forehead brushing against her damp hair. Her body trembled, and though her breathing was shallow, she was still there. He traced a finger across her cheek, wiping away a stray tear that had escaped her closed eyes. She didn’t respond, too weak even to open her eyes this time.

“I’m here, okay? I’m not going anywhere,” Noah whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “We’re going to get through this… together.”

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came. Her chest rose and fell, each breath seeming like a battle she barely had the strength to fight. Noah swallowed the lump in his throat, pressing a kiss against her temple as if the tenderness in that moment could hold back the cruelty of their situation.

“I wish I could take the pain away,” he added, voice trembling now. “But I won’t let go. I’ll keep you safe. You don’t have to do this alone.”

For what felt like hours, Noah held her, cradling her fragile form against his chest, whispering reassurances even though she was too far gone to respond. And even as the blood continued to stain his fingers, he didn’t stop.

Because in that dark cell, his words and his touch were the only lifeline she had.

Noah remained still for a while, listening to her breath, trying to calm it. The tension in his body showed no signs of abating. He turned toward the door, recalling the sound of the lock, wondering who their captors were and why they were keeping them there.

But above all, one question buzzed in his mind: why had they done this to her?

But in that moment, there was only one thing that mattered: keeping Elise alive. And as long as he had even a scrap of strength left, he would continue to fight for her.