521: WHEN THESE THOUGHTS COME

ARIEL'S POV "Luke! Luke, wake up!" I shook Luke gently, but he remained unresponsive, his breathing shallow and uneven. Frantically, I checked for any signs of injury, my hands trembling as I felt for a pulse. It was there, faint but steady, a small reassurance amidst the chaos. "L-Luke, please," I whispered, my voice cracking with fear. "You have to wake up. We need you." Tears welled up in my eyes as I pressed my fingers against his wrist, willing him to respond. But he remained still, his face pale and drawn in unconsciousness. Desperation clawed at my chest as I struggled to think clearly. What should I do? How could I help him? With trembling hands, I reached for my phone, fingers fumbling as I dialed for emergency services. But it wasn't connecting. Frustration burned in my veins as the phone continued to ring, the beeps of a disconnected signal mocking my desperate attempts. With each passing second, my fear intensified, threatening to choke the life out of