Love Amidst the Flames

Chap 7

Night fell, and the refugee camp was shrouded in a sorrowful silence. The moon hung in the sky, its faint light illuminating the makeshift tents, creating a scene that was both serene and eerie after a day full of turmoil.

Outside, refugees and soldiers were trying to find a bit of sleep after the horrifying battle. But in a hidden corner of the medical camp, Charlotte could not manage to close her eyes.

Lying on the small bed, she looked up at the tent's roof, feeling the chill of the night creeping into every nook and cranny. Although she was accustomed to the stressful life of war, tonight was different. Her mind could not settle, unable to stop thinking of one person.

The image of Engfa kept appearing in Charlotte's mind, each detail engraved deep in her heart. The sharp yet warm eyes she had never seen in anyone else. The way Engfa looked at her, gentle yet decisive, made Charlotte's heart stir. She closed her eyes, but everything became even clearer.

Charlotte recalled the moment she discovered Engfa's wound was bleeding. Her heart tightened at the thought of Engfa's recklessness, willing to forget the pain just to find her. She could have collapsed in the battle if not for timely care. Thinking of this, an unnameable anxiety swelled within her.

• Charlotte (whispering to herself): Why did she do that? Why would she take the risk just to see me?

Despite being a double agent, having experienced many conflicts and difficult missions, Charlotte had never felt her heart stirred like this. There was something special about Engfa that made her unable to stop thinking about her. Not just the strength and courage Engfa displayed on the battlefield, but also the care and sincerity Engfa showed toward her.

Charlotte turned over, her eyes looking out of the tent, where moonlight spilled into the still night. A strange feeling was rising in her heart - a feeling that was both tender yet complicated.

She didn't understand why she was thinking so much about Engfa, but she knew that between them lay something unspoken.

• Charlotte (telling herself): It can't be like this... I have to keep my distance. I can't let feelings interfere with the mission.

Despite telling herself this, Charlotte's heart continued to be drawn toward Engfa. She remembered the way Engfa's eyes lit up when looking at her, how she gently thanked her after being treated. Those fleeting moments were enough to plant a seed of emotion in Charlotte's heart.

A feeling she never thought she would experience during these chaotic days of war.

Charlotte closed her eyes, trying to dispel Engfa's image from her mind, but every effort was in vain. The image of Engfa, strong yet gentle, lingered in her thoughts, refusing to let go.

Charlotte lay still, listening to the breathing of those around her who were slipping into sleep. But she could not sleep. She felt herself being pulled between two worlds - one of responsibility and duty, and the other of strange emotions she had never felt before.

In her heart, duty had always been the top priority. She knew she could not let anything distract her. But at the same time, she could not deny the existence of the feelings that were gradually forming for Engfa. Every time she thought of her, her heart was filled with emotion. There was worry, anticipation, and a hint of what seemed like... love?

• Charlotte (whispering to herself): Engfa... I can't let her become my weakness.

Charlotte reminded herself that she had to be strong. But in the stillness of the night, with only the sound of the wind and the chirping of insects echoing, she realized that Engfa's presence had left a mark on her heart - a mark that she could not erase, no matter how hard she tried.

The night seemed to stretch endlessly, but Charlotte knew that when dawn broke, she would have to return to her duties. She would continue her work as a nurse, fulfilling the mission she had been entrusted with. But in her heart, the image of Engfa would never fade. Every time she saw her, every time she heard her voice, her heart would beat faster.

Charlotte sighed softly, curling up in her thin blanket, trying to drift off to sleep. But she knew that tonight would be long, and in her dreams, she would once again see Engfa - the one who had made her feel vulnerable at a moment she thought she could never be weak.

The next morning, the refugee camp was still filled with chaos, but in the minds of Engfa and Charlotte, everything seemed to revolve around each other. Engfa had woken up early, preparing for a new day of work, but could not stop thinking about Charlotte. She knew that their meeting yesterday was not just a coincidence. There was something deeper, a feeling she had never experienced before.

As Engfa stepped outside, sunlight poured down onto the parched earth, highlighting the grim picture of war's aftermath. The residents were still lining up, hoping for assistance from humanitarian organizations. Engfa paused, her eyes scanning the crowd, searching for the familiar figure of Charlotte, even though she knew it was an unreasonable expectation.

---

"My weakness is a person,
The one I love is me."

Hy.