Caleb hadn’t slept.

Even after he helped Elyra back to bed, even after her soft breaths filled the silence of the room, he couldn’t close his eyes.

He was afraid.

Afraid that if he did, she wouldn’t be there when he woke up.

So he stayed by her side, his fingers wrapped gently around hers, as if keeping her close could somehow keep her alive.

But deep down, he knew—he was running out of time.

And there was nothing he could do to stop it.

The next morning, Elyra didn’t wake up right away.

Caleb’s heart pounded in panic as he shook her gently. "Elyra?"

She didn’t stir.

His throat tightened as he called her name again, louder this time.

Finally, after what felt like forever, her eyelids fluttered open.

"Caleb?" she murmured weakly, her voice barely more than a breath.

Relief flooded his chest, but it was quickly replaced by fear.

Something was wrong.

She looked worse than before—her skin was pale, almost translucent, and there was a faint blue tint to her lips.

"Elyra, how do you feel?" he asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

She blinked at him slowly, as if even that small action took too much effort. "Tired."

Caleb’s stomach twisted.

"I’ll get Mom," he said quickly, standing up.

Before he could take a step, her cold fingers wrapped weakly around his wrist.

"Stay," she whispered.

His heart clenched, but he nodded, sitting back down.

She smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "You worry too much."

He swallowed hard. "And you don’t worry enough."

She let out a soft laugh, but even that sounded fragile.

Caleb forced himself to smile. "Let me at least get you some water."

Elyra hesitated, then nodded.

Caleb carefully poured a glass from the pitcher on her nightstand and held it to her lips. She tried to take a sip, but her hands were too weak to hold it herself.

He had to help her.

The sight made his chest tighten painfully.

She was slipping away faster than he could handle.

And he wasn’t ready.

Their mother called the doctor later that morning.

When the doctor arrived, Caleb could tell from the man’s expression that the news wouldn’t be good.

He took them aside, away from Elyra’s room, but Caleb’s hands clenched into fists.

"I want to be here," he insisted.

The doctor hesitated before nodding.

His mother reached for Caleb’s hand, holding onto him like she was afraid she’d fall apart.

The doctor sighed. "Her body is shutting down."

The words felt like a punch to Caleb’s stomach.

"How long?" his mother whispered, her voice trembling.

The doctor hesitated before finally saying, "Two days. Maybe less."

Caleb felt his world crack apart.

Two days.

That was all.

His mother covered her mouth, her eyes welling with tears.

Caleb could barely breathe.

It didn’t feel real.

Even though he had known this was coming, even though he had spent weeks dreading this moment—he still wasn’t ready.

"Is there anything we can do?" he asked desperately.

The doctor’s expression was gentle but firm. "Just make sure she’s comfortable."

That was it.

No miracle. No last-minute hope.

Just… waiting.

Caleb’s hands trembled.

The doctor left soon after, and their mother sat on the couch, crying softly into her hands.

But Caleb couldn’t cry.

Not yet.

Not while Elyra was still here.

He turned and walked back to her room, his legs heavy with every step.

When he entered, she was staring out the window, her eyes distant.

She didn’t need to hear the doctor’s words to know. She already understood.

Caleb sat beside her, forcing a small smile. "What are you thinking about?"

She was silent for a long moment. Then, finally, she whispered, "What comes next."

Caleb’s chest ached. "Elyra—"

"I’m not scared," she interrupted softly.

He clenched his fists. "You should be. I am."

She turned her head toward him, offering a weak smile. "That’s because you’re staying."

His throat tightened. "I don’t want to stay without you."

She reached for his hand, her fingers trembling as they curled around his.

"You promised me," she whispered.

Caleb’s heart clenched.

"I know," he said hoarsely.

She smiled faintly. "Then don’t break it."

His vision blurred.

Even now, when she was the one fading, she was comforting him.

It wasn’t fair.

She deserved more time.

But no matter how much he begged the universe to stop this, it wouldn’t listen.

Because the countdown had already begun.

And in just two days, Elyra would be gone. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To Be Continued...