Whispers Of The Shadows-The UNKNOWN

A hope

The day slipped by in a haze, and Gabriel lay resting on the bed. His fever had subsided, leaving only a trace of fatigue. His features, even in repose, bore an otherworldly elegance, his strength evident even in moments of vulnerability.

Zahra sat nearby on a chair, a book open in her hands. But the book was merely a distraction. Her eyes kept straying to him, stealing glances as she tried to focus on the words. Despite her exhaustion, her gaze lingered on him, captivated by the quiet strength he exuded, even now.

The night crept on, and at some point, weariness overtook her. Without realizing it, she fell asleep in her chair, the book slipping onto her lap, her head drooping. Her soft breathing filled the room, and the delicate rise and fall of her shoulders betrayed how much the recent days had taken a toll on her. Once untroubled by sleep, Zahra had become a reluctant insomniac, her worries robbing her of rest.

Gabriel stirred sometime later, his recovery swift thanks to his resilience. He sat up in bed, his sharp eyes scanning the room before settling on the small figure slumped in the chair. She looked cold, her arms wrapped around herself as if to keep the chill at bay.

Rising from the bed with a quiet grace, Gabriel approached her. He gently removed the book covering her face, careful not to wake her. For a moment, he stood still, gazing down at her peaceful expression.

There she was—vulnerable yet unwavering, a contradiction that seemed to draw him closer without his consent.

Gabriel hesitated, his hand lingering near her shoulder. She looked fragile in the dim light, her usually composed demeanor softened by sleep. A stray curl rested against her cheek, and without thinking, he gently tucked it behind her ear. The warmth of her skin against his fingertips was unexpected, a sensation that lingered even after he pulled his hand away.

She shivered slightly, her arms tightening around herself. Frowning, he glanced around and spotted the blanket folded on the edge of the bed. Retrieving it, he draped it over her with a care that contrasted his usual cold demeanor.

For a moment, he stayed there, crouched beside her, his eyes studying her face. The sharpness in his gaze softened, replaced by an emotion he couldn’t quite name—something that made his chest feel tight and unfamiliar.

“She’s stronger than she seems,” he murmured under his breath, almost as if justifying the rare tenderness he’d shown. Rising to his full height, he stepped back, his expression hardening once more as he retreated to the bed.

Gabriel lay back down, but his mind didn’t allow him to rest. His thoughts kept circling back to Zahra—her stubbornness, her resilience, her quiet vulnerability. Despite himself, he found it difficult to look away from the enigma she presented, a woman who refused to break no matter how much weight was placed upon her shoulders.

As the first light of dawn filtered through the windows, Gabriel made a silent vow. He wasn’t sure if it was to protect her, to push her away, or to understand her. Perhaps it was all three. But one thing was certain: Zahra had become a part of his world, and no matter how much he tried to deny it, she was no longer someone he could ignore.

Zahra woke up a little later than usual, her body still heavy with fatigue. Blinking a few times to adjust to the light, she noticed Gabriel was already up and nearly ready. He stood by the mirror, fixing his collar with sharp, practiced movements.

Confused, she rubbed her eyes and asked, “Where are you going?” Her voice was slightly hoarse from sleep as she stood up and walked toward him.

Gabriel didn’t turn around, his attention still on his reflection. “Not me. We’re going,” he replied, his tone curt, leaving no room for argument.