71. Dire Gress

"See! Whatever I did, punish me if you must—but she needs help!" Jayden pleaded, his voice raw with desperation. Emric's jaw tightened, his eyes burning with hatred, but after a brief hesitation, he gave up. Together, they pushed against the massive boulder, crushing her fragile body. The rock shifted, then tumbled away, kicking up dust as it rolled. She barely stirred—her breathing shallow, her skin deathly pale. Without another thought, Jayden scooped her into his arms and took off running. The hospital was in sight when a shudder passed through the earth, the very foundations of the building trembling violently. Then, in the blink of an eye, it collapsed into nothingness—dust and ashes swallowed what should have been a place of healing. Despair clawed at Jayden's chest, but before he could even process the horror, a lone figure emerged from the wreckage. A nurse—her uniform streaked with blood and dirt, but her eyes unwavering—rushed toward them. Somehow, against all odds, she manag