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February 16, 2029
The gentle embrace of dawn's first light began to fill the room, coaxing Lucy from her makeshift bedside vigil beside Lucas. Her body carried the weight of a sleepless night, and nearby, Meri stirred, her eyes reflecting the fatigue that hung heavy upon her.
Lucy's gaze returned to Lucas, still and pallid beneath the morning glow. An unsettling unease settled in her chest, a silent testament to the uncertainty that shrouded his injuries.
With a gentle murmur, Lucy turned to Meri, her voice a blend of fatigue and unwavering resolve. “I'll go prepare some breakfast. You should get some rest.”
Meri, her own face etched with worry, nodded in agreement. “I'll watch over Sir Lucas, Miss. Don't worry too much. He's resilient. He'll pull through.”
Lucy offered a small, appreciative smile before quietly departing the room, leaving Meri to keep vigil. In the small kitchen area, she began preparing a modest morning meal.
Beyond the safety of their barricaded sanctuary, the world outside continued its relentless march, occasional echoes of the undead serving as a haunting reminder. The university's protective barrier provided shelter, but Lucy knew they couldn't remain hidden indefinitely; the barrier had its limits, too.
As she cooked, Lucy's thoughts drifted to Cale, who had displayed remarkable resilience throughout their ordeal. He played quietly in another room, blissfully unaware of the grim circumstances surrounding them. Lucy couldn't help but feel thankful for the child's innocence amidst these dark times.
Once breakfast was prepared, Lucy set out a simple meal for Meri and herself. Returning to the room where Lucas lay, she gently woke Meri from her slumber.
“Breakfast is ready,” Lucy said, her smile carrying both weariness and determination. “Let's eat and then discuss our next steps. We can't stay here indefinitely, especially if our location becomes known. And Lucas needs proper care.”
Meri nodded in agreement, and the two women shared a solemn meal beside Lucas. They ate in thoughtful silence, their minds heavy with the uncertainties that lay ahead.
After their meal, Lucy turned her attention to Cale, who had grown quiet in the adjoining room. She approached him and knelt down to meet his gaze.
“Hey there, champ,” she said softly. “How are you holding up?”
Cale gazed up at her with innocent, wide eyes. “I'm fine, Auntie. Will Uncle Lucas be, okay?”
Lucy smiled reassuringly, though beneath her assurance lay a current of uncertainty. “We're doing everything we can to help him, Cale. But if he doesn't wake up soon, we might need to find a safer place. Would you be okay with that?”
Cale nodded, his trust in Lucy resolute. “I'll go wherever Auntie and Sister go. I'm confident you'll keep me safe.”
Lucy's heart swelled with both gratitude and a profound sense of responsibility. She had promised Lucas she would protect Cale, and she intended to keep that promise.
As she returned to the room where Meri maintained her vigil by Lucas's side, Lucy knew they faced a challenging day ahead. Uncertainty loomed, but their resolve remained unwavering.
“Miss Lucy,” Meri began, her voice tinged with guilt, “as I mentioned before, much of this is my fault. If I hadn't ventured out, none of this would have occurred. My worries know no bounds.”
Meri couldn't shake the heavy weight of guilt that seemed to cling to her every thought. Her eyes remained locked on Lucas, his still form a constant reminder of the perilous situation they were in. She spoke again, her voice trembling with the weight of her self-blame.
“I'm grateful for your kindness, Miss Lucy, but I can't escape the sense of responsibility for this situation. I was aware of the risks and still insisted on venturing out. I believed I could manage it, but instead, I've vanished and endangered Sir Lucas. I find it difficult to forgive myself for that.”
Lucy listened with empathy, recognizing the torment in Meri's voice. She understood that Meri was grappling with the immense guilt and self-recrimination. She placed a gentle hand on Meri's shoulder, offering both support and understanding.
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“Meri,” Lucy began softly, “we all make choices in this world, some of them in the heat of the moment. And sometimes, those choices lead to unforeseen consequences. You acted with the best intentions, and none of us could predict what would happen. Blaming yourself won't change the situation, but working together to help Lucas’s recover will.”
Meri's gaze shifted from Lucas to Lucy, her eyes brimming with tears. “Miss Lucy, you're too kind. I just wish I could go back and change my decision. Sir Lucas trusted me to watch over you and Cale, and I let him down.”
Lucy's smile remained warm and compassionate as she continued to reassure Meri. “We're a team, Meri. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Lucas knew the risks too, and he wouldn't want you to carry this burden alone. We're in this together, and we'll get through it together.”
Meri let out a shuddering sigh, a mix of gratitude and sorrow. “Thank you, Miss. Your words mean a lot to me. I'll do everything in my power to make things right.”
Lucy's grip on Meri's shoulder tightened gently. “And we'll support you every step of the way, just as you've supported us. Now, let's focus on helping Lucas heal. We'll have time to figure everything out once he wakes up.”
Lucy understood that forgiving Meri completely was a complex matter, but for now, their priority was Lucas, and the blame wouldn't aid his recovery. They shared a silent agreement to support each other and await Lucas's judgment when he awoke.
Together, they turned their attention back to Lucas, who continued to rest in an unending slumber. The room seemed heavy with the burden of their concern, yet beneath it all lay an unspoken determination to see him through this trying ordeal.
As the hours drifted by, they took turns watching over Lucas, ensuring his comfort as best they could. Outside, the world remained fraught with peril, and their supplies dwindled. They knew their sanctuary within the university had a time limit.
As the day started to fade, Meri expressed her apprehensions, her tone carrying a touch of anxiety. “Miss Lucy, it's getting late, and we can't stay here indefinitely. We need to consider our next steps. If we stay, we risk depleting our supplies, and Sir Lucas needs proper medical attention.”
Lucy nodded, her thoughts never far from Lucas's condition. “You're right, Meri, but this place is Lucas's chosen base. I'd like to trust his judgment and stay until he wakes up. Leaving will only be our last resort. I believe Lucas will wake up.”
Meri's gaze shifted to Cale, who quietly played with his toys nearby. Her own uncertainty about Lucas's condition made her hesitant to voice her concerns. Perhaps staying here was the best choice after all.
Lucy placed a comforting hand on Meri's shoulder. “Don't worry, Aunty. Lucas will wake up.”
As the evening darkened into night, they continued their watch over Lucas, hoping for any sign of improvement. Their journey had been filled with danger, but their determination to see it through remained unwavering.
Exhaustion weighed heavily on Lucy's eyelids as the night grew deeper. She sat in the dimly lit room, her hand resting on Lucas's forehead, monitoring his feverish temperature. Gradually, sleep began to claim her, and her grip on Lucas's hand loosened, her breaths steady and even.
Beside her, Meri remained vigilant, her own fatigue hidden behind a façade of unwavering watchfulness. She had been waiting for the right moment, the moment when Lucy would finally succumb to sleep. It was a risk, but one she had to take.
Lucy's head drooped forward as she gave in to slumber's embrace. Her grip on Lucas relaxed, and her breaths became the soft cadence of sleep. It was the opportunity Meri had been waiting for.
With utmost caution, Meri inched closer to Lucas, her eyes glinting with determination. She extended her hand, and from the surrounding shadows, the ominous presence of the Shadow Spirit answered her call. It coalesced into a spectral figure with abyssal-black eyes, exuding an aura of darkness.
Meri whispered softly, her voice barely above a breath. “Help me, Shadow Spirit. Heal Sir Lucas.”
The spirit hesitated, its malevolent gaze fixed on Lucas. Healing wasn't its nature; it thrived on shadows and fear. But Meri's plea, driven by desperation and a sense of responsibility, swayed its decision.
Dark energy resembling tendrils of inky smoke snaked from the Shadow Spirit's form toward Lucas. It wrapped around his unconscious body, seeping into his wounds. Meri watched with bated breath as the shadows worked their enigmatic magic, mending torn flesh and repairing fractured bones.
Lucas's pallor began to ease, his breathing growing steadier. It was as if a faint spark of life had been rekindled within him.
Meri's eyes remained fixed on Lucas; her heart was heavy with the weight of her secret alliance with the Shadow Spirit. She knew that wielding this forbidden power would have consequences, but for now, her sole focus was on saving Lucas, even if it meant delving further into the shadows of the unknown.
With the healing process underway, Meri felt a peculiar sense of reassurance. She carefully withdrew from Lucas's side, her movements silent and graceful, like a phantom fading into the shadows.
Meri made her way to the room where Cale, her younger brother, slept soundly. She lay down beside him, her protective instincts ever vigilant. In the soft glow of a flickering candle, she watched over him, her heart filled with a blend of love and concern.
As minutes turned into hours, the room embraced a tranquil stillness. The gentle rise and fall of Cale's chest, the soothing rhythm of his breath, began to ease Meri's worries. It was a rare moment of respite in their tumultuous world.
In the adjoining room, Lucas lay unconscious, his expression twitching ever so slightly as the shadowy magic worked its subtle miracles. His eyelashes fluttered as he strained to remain asleep. His brow furrowed, and his pale lips parted as he whispered, “Mom.”