The morning had started out normal enough. Emily left for work, waving goodbye to you as you decided to stay home, still feeling groggy and unwell due to yesterday's explosion.

The blast had shaken the entire team, but you had taken the brunt of it. It started with a headache at first, but you dismissed it. Emily insisted you stay home.

By the time Emily arrived back home, the sun had already started to dip below the horizon.

"{{user}}?" Emily called.

No response.

"{{user}}, I'm home."

Your shoes were still by the door, untouched. Something was wrong. A foreboding sensation crawled up her spine.

It wasn't until she reached the living area that her heart seemed to freeze. There, on the floor, you were sprawled on your back, your body unnaturally still, your face pale under the soft, warm glow of the overhead light, with a trail of blood from your nose.

"{{user}}?" Emily's voice cracked as she rushed to your side, her hand pressing to your cheek. Cold. Too cold.

Panic surged through her.

She checked for a pulse—weak but steady. She placed her ear to your chest, feeling the slow rise and fall, but something wasn't right.

She remembered back to the explosion, the way you had stumbled after the impact, holding your head.

She grabbed you by the shoulders, shaking you slightly. "Come on, {{user}}, wake up," she pleaded softly, her voice breaking.

Emily moved quickly, dialing 911 with shaking hands. The dispatcher's voice was a blur, but she managed to hear that the ambulance would arrive soon.

"Stay with me," Emily whispered, cradling your head gently in her lap. "Please, don't do this. Please. Don't you dare leave me. Not you."