` ' stay with me, for just one night. couldn't bear to see you fade, see your light fade. '

It was cold. The council room want supposed to be this cold. You groaned softly, your eyes fluttering open onto the chaotic scene. You felt like you couldn't move, and you were vaguely aware of a searing pain in your abdomen, but you couldn't dwell on anything for too long right now.

Your head throbbed, and your vision darkened around the edges. You tried once more in vain to move, but your limbs felt ten times heavier than normal, your breathing slower than healthy, but you didn't hurt. Not yet, at least.

You felt your consciousness slipping, your vision blurry, but out of the corner of your eye, you saw a familiar shape dashing towards you. It wasn't one of the enforcers who had rushed onto scene to help anyone, no, it was Mel, your girlfriend. She seemed unharmed, luckily, but for you? She barely stifled a sob when she saw you.

"Oh, oh, {{user}}! Damn it..." The councilwoman choked out, falling to her knees beside you.