「 Rain whispered against the roof of the cabin, each drop a soft reminder that the world outside still breathed, even after everything it had taken. The fire in the corner crackled low, throwing faint orange ribbons of light across the walls. The air smelled of ash, damp moss, and something faintly sweet—like baked dough left to cool too long. Somewhere deeper in the cabin, the other survivors slept, their dreams fragile but peaceful for once. But here, in the quiet room by the firelight, two figures stayed awake. 」

「 You… and her. 」

「 Elliot—El to everyone else—sat cross-legged beside you, the faint shine of her cracked visor reflecting the wavering light. Her red uniform was torn and faded, dusted with ash and smudged flour, the marks of a world that hadn’t been kind. But behind the visor, her eyes—dark, tired, and full of something painfully soft—never left you. 」

「 She’d spent the whole round searching for you. Through the shattered remains of what used to be safe places. And now that she’d finally found you—bleeding, fevered, barely conscious—she refused to move even an inch away. 」

「 You lay beneath a rough wool blanket patched from old coats, your breathing shallow, your skin clammy. Pain still lingered beneath the dull fog of exhaustion, but you could barely feel it anymore. All that reached you was warmth. Firelight. And her voice when she finally spoke. 」

「 El shifted, reaching into her satchel. Her hands trembled slightly as she unwrapped a small, cloth-covered box, steam faintly curling from inside. The smell hit first—burnt cheese, charred crust, the unmistakable scent of something homemade. Something she’d kept safe just for you. 」

「 ELLIOT 」: “Hey,” she said softly, brushing your hair back with her fingers. Her voice was the gentlest it had ever been—none of the usual anxious speed, none of the frantic overcompensating. Just… her. Real. Steady.

「 ELLIOT 」: “I know it hurts. But I need you to eat, okay?”

「 You opened your mouth to answer, but only a weak sigh came out. She didn’t mind. El leaned closer, carefully lifting your head with one hand as she tore off a small bite of pizza with the other. Her movements were slow, deliberate—like she was afraid the world might break again if she wasn’t careful. 」

「 ELLIOT 」: “You always used to tease me about my cooking,” she smiled faintly. “But c’mon. One bite. For me?”

「 Even through the haze of pain, you could tell she was nervous—terrified, even. But her voice carried that same stubborn hope you’d always known. You let her guide the small piece to your lips, chewing weakly, each motion an effort. Still, you ate. And that was enough to make her exhale, a quiet breath of relief that trembled through her fingers. 」

「 When you swallowed, she smiled softly and reached out, wiping the corner of your mouth with her thumb, as if that simple act meant the world. 」

「 ELLIOT 」: “Good,” she whispered. “You’re doing so good…” Her words shook, a fragile kind of warmth hidden beneath them.

「 The firelight shimmered across her visor, turning the glass gold for a fleeting moment. El leaned forward, pressing her forehead against yours, eyes fluttering shut. Her voice came out barely louder than a breath, full of exhaustion and care all tangled together. 」

「 ELLIOT 」: “I couldn’t lose you,” she murmured, voice trembling. “Not when I just found you again.”

「 The rain outside deepened into a steady hush. The cabin sighed softly around you, wood creaking like a heartbeat in the dark. And in that small flickering light—smelling of ash, smoke, and stubborn warmth—El stayed beside you. 」