"Pa… Pa," Bell uttered, her voice barely a whisper, eyes wide with shock as she gazed upon White, who lay unconscious, blood beginning to pool around his head.

"White…" Aris, seized by panic, rushed to White's motionless form. She called out to him repeatedly, but there was no response; her hands were stained with the blood oozing from White's wound.

As Aris's pleas continued, Bell, initially frightened and bewildered, felt a surge of anger. Floating into the air, she spotted the assailant—iron rod in hand, now also in a state of panic upon seeing White's condition. A direct blow to the head with such a weapon meant White's chances of survival were slim. In his haste, the attacker dropped the rod and bolted down the stairs.

Attempting to flee, he stumbled as an unseen force began pulling at his leg. Bell, channeling her fury, dragged him back to the scene of his crime.

He clawed desperately at anything within reach, but it was futile. Bell then turned her attention to another figure, lying unconscious from White's earlier defense. Harnessing her powers, she commandeered the fallen man's body, forcing the would-be escapee to confront his accomplice, now wielding the iron rod with vacant eyes.

"Hey, you're okay! Hurry, we need to get away from her…" he implored his partner. But the response was a brutal strike with the rod, breaking the man's arm.

"Ahhhh… hhh," he cried out in agony, retreating. "What… What are you doing? Hey!" Another blow to the head followed, and blood began to flow as his skull cracked open. After a brief struggle, his body went limp.

The one with the rod then pointed it at his own neck and, with a swift motion, impaled himself. As he collapsed, blood spattered across the floor.

Aris, witnessing this macabre turn of events, was traumatized. The room had transformed into a scene of horror. As she looked at White, who lay unconscious, his eyes fluttered open slightly. He saw Aris and Bell.

"Bell… Ar… is…" he murmured, his voice faint. Assured they were safe, his eyes closed once more.

After 12 hours…

"Um…" I groaned, my vision blurry as I awoke to an unfamiliar ceiling. Surveying my surroundings, I realized I was in a hospital. Attempting to move, I felt a warmth around my arm and looked to find Bell, tears in her eyes, asleep beside me, clutching my hand.

"Bell…" I whispered.

"So, you're finally awake," came a faint voice from the table where Aisha sat.

Stolen novel; please report.

"You know, you always get caught up in someone else's troubles and end up here. I'm starting to think you have a fondness for hospitals," Aisha teased gently.

"Don't joke about it… Is Aris safe?" I asked, concern lacing my voice.

"Aha, so you're speaking quite calmly. Did the blow to your head make you forget how to panic, or have you become emotionless?" she prodded, gesturing to my bandaged head.

"Well, if I'm here talking to you, that means we succeeded, right?" I inquired.

"You're not wrong. Bell saved you and Aris before anything worse could happen. This is the second time I've saved you from death," she revealed.

"Second time?" I echoed, puzzled.

"Yes, just like before. You were pronounced dead en route to the hospital—no breath, no heartbeat," she explained, her voice soft yet steady.

I pondered for a moment, then asked, "If I was dead, then why save me a second time? I remember prioritizing Aris's safety over my own. I can't see any reason for you to save me again."

She nodded towards Bell, still asleep, and said, "She begged me to save you. She was inconsolable, unable to bear the thought of losing you, and pleaded for my help."

I looked at Bell, gently patting her head, warmth filling my gaze.

"And I must warn you, death can be postponed, but it cannot be evaded forever," Aisha said gravely.

"What do you mean?" I inquired.

"Don't fret over it now. Focus on your recovery, but remember, this is the last time I can bring you back. Next time, even I won't be able to prevent the inevitable," she said before vanishing.

As I continued to stroke Bell's head, she awoke, rubbing her eyes before looking up at me.

"Good morning, Bell," I greeted her softly.

"Pa…" she began, but before she could finish, tears welled up, and she embraced me tightly.

"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. As you can see, I'm fit and fine. Please, stop crying," I soothed her.

Looking down, she murmured, "I was afraid I'd never see you again. You were hurt, and I felt so helpless…"

As I comforted her, the door opened, and familiar faces appeared—big sis, Shu, brother Chris. They were relieved to see me, their questions flooding in. Amidst the commotion, I realized Zen and Aris were missing.

"Where are Aris and Zen?" I asked, a sense of dread creeping in.

Shu mustered the courage to speak. "Well, the thing is…"

To be continued in Vol. 3.