Love Amidst the Flames

Chap 20

Charlotte sat by Engfa’s bedside, her eyes unable to leave the face of the woman she loved. Engfa lay there, quiet and fragile, like a piece of sky hidden by a storm. Worry surged endlessly within Charlotte.

The doctor entered the room, bringing a professional yet cold air. Charlotte stood up, her gaze fixed on him.

• "Doctor, how is Engfa’s condition?" – Charlotte asked, her voice steady but anxious.

The doctor reviewed the medical records, then looked back at her.

• "Engfa is out of immediate danger, but her injuries are severe. Her body needs time to fully recover. She may have to stay in the hospital for a few weeks, and we’ll need to closely monitor her condition in the coming days," – the doctor explained, his tone serious.

Charlotte nodded slightly, unable to hide her worry.

• "I understand, but I want to make sure she’s safe. We were attacked on our way here, and I’m worried there may still be threats from outside," – Charlotte added, her voice firm but slightly tense.

• "Please, do everything possible to protect Engfa."

The doctor looked at her with sympathy.

• "Don’t worry, we have increased security around this area. She’ll be cared for in the safest conditions possible. No one can approach her without our clearance," – he said, his tone reassuring.

Charlotte sighed, feeling a slight relief. She sat back down beside Engfa, holding her hand tightly.

• "Thank you, doctor. But I won’t leave her side," – Charlotte whispered, her gaze lingering on Engfa’s beloved face, waiting for a miracle.

Charlotte stayed beside Engfa, not leaving her for even a moment. The hospital room fell silent, with only the steady beeps of the monitoring machines filling the air. Pale light from the ceiling illuminated Engfa’s ashen face, making her appear even more fragile. Charlotte looked at the girl wrapped in white bandages, her heart aching as if torn apart.

Two days passed, and Charlotte hadn’t eaten or rested, solely focused on Engfa. Exhaustion and worry were evident on her face, her eyes sunken with dark circles and a dazed look. The doctor had informed her that, though Engfa’s injuries were no longer life-threatening, excessive blood loss had left her in a coma. Waking up could take a long time.

Seeing the person she loved surrounded by wires and equipment, Charlotte felt her heart shatter. Engfa’s finger was clipped to a monitor, the machine continuously displaying her heart rate and vital signs.

But the only sign of life Charlotte wanted to see was Engfa’s eyes opening, her smile returning. She held Engfa’s hand, her fingers softly gliding over the cold hand, trying to transfer all her warmth to the one she loved. Charlotte whispered in agony:

• "Engfa, I know you’re tired, but you can’t leave me. I need you, need you to open your eyes, to smile like you used to... Do you know how tired I am, seeing you lying here and being unable to do anything? You’re my sky, and I’ll never accept losing it..."

Tears welled up, but Charlotte didn’t dare cry aloud. She feared that, if she let a single sob escape, everything would collapse. Her breaths became erratic, but her eyes remained fixed on Engfa, hoping for a miracle, that someday, Engfa would open her eyes and return to her.

• "Engfa, I need you. Come back to me, don’t leave me..." – Charlotte whispered, her voice carrying a despair that only love could cause.

Charlotte tightly gripped Engfa’s cold hand, her gaze lingering on her pale but still beautifully gentle face. She bent down and kissed that hand softly, tenderly, as if afraid that even the slightest carelessness would cause Engfa to disappear from her world.