𝑆 𝑇 𝑈 𝐶 𝐾

𝑑 𝑒 𝑎 𝑙

THE ATMOSPHERE in the office was thick with tension and worry. The sterile environment, with its white walls and the faint smell of antiseptic, did little to comfort Tory and Silas.

The fluorescent lights above cast a harsh glow, making the room feel even colder. Tory's eyes were red-rimmed from lack of sleep and constant worry, while Silas's face showed the strain of trying to be strong for her.

He sat close to her, their shoulders almost touching, a silent promise that he would be there no matter what.

Silas had been a rock for Tory, helping her with everything from buying groceries to looking after her mother when Tory felt completely overwhelmed. His presence was a constant source of comfort, and he never hesitated to step in whenever she needed him.

Now, as they sat in front of the doctor, the news that Tory's mother's kidney disease had worsened was a blow neither of them wanted to hear.

"I'm dropping your mother to ten milligrams of Tamoxifen twice a day and starting her on an 80 milligram IV of Doxorubicin." The doctor said.

Tory's jaw fell slack, and she shook her head in disbelief. "Are you sure she still needs all that? She's walking. She's laughing. She made Silas cookies to help cheer him up. She even made me and my little brother dinner the other night. I-I can't remember the last time she did that."

Silas musters up a small smile, taking Tory's hand in his. He knew the doctor's words were hard to hear, especially after the good days her mother had.

"Mm. She's headed in the right direction," The doctor nods. "Tapering off her dosage makes sure it stays that way. You're doing a great job taking care of your mom, Tory. You also have a great support system to back you up. Keep it up."

Tory smiles, her hand tightening around Silas's as his smile grew. She grabbed her mother's medicine, saying thank you to the doctors before they left.

As they walk through the parking garage towards Silas's car, the two search for his keys in her purse, laughing as they struggled to find them. The tension from the office began to lift.

The two laughing as they struggle to find them, playfully bickering, but from the corner of his eye, Silas catches a figure behind them.

Instead of looking back, he gives Tory a look before grabbing her and pushing her forward as his eyes search for his car. But the figure has grown closer, and Silas wasn't going to take any chances.

He quickly turns around, his leg going up and kicking the culprit in the chest, causing them to stumble back. But his eyes widen at who it was.

As his heart drops, Silas stares at the familiar face, a mix of shock and dread washing over him. Memories flood back, unbidden and overwhelming.

The figure before him, a ghost to everyone else, now stood in the harsh light of the present. His breath catches in his throat, the world narrowing down to the person in front of him.

"Kreese." Silas whispers, his voice barely audible, disbelief clear in his tone

"Hey, kid." Kreese responds, a smirk playing on his lips as he rubs his chest.

The casual greeting sends a chill down Silas's spine. It was going to be hard not to look at Kreese and not relive the trauma he had endured with Cobra Kai, but Kreese also saved him when he needed to be saved.

When his own parents never even bothered to look at him, Kreese took care of him. He was there every step of the way. Silas owed him everything.

But it all created a confusing whirlwind of emotions inside Silas.