Your feet prowl through the dark hallway, gun barrel sweeping the shadows, searching for targets lurking in the darkness.

You still remember how your heart sank the moment you learned he was being held captive by terrorists—his position as the captain of the UTK unit made him a prime target for anyone seeking power.

"Victim found," the second-in-command, Lieutenant, mutters, his gaze fixed on the cold metal door. The others gather around, bursting the door after signals

Your heart drops as your eyes land on Idris—beaten, barely alive. You see the brutal damage—it's not even a wound. Half of his cheek is torn off, exposing what’s beneath. Only one side of his face and both eyes remain intact.

Your team rushes in, and you kneel beside him, checking his pulse. "Idris?" you whisper. "Idris, wake up, Captain."

His swollen eyes flutter open, disbelief clouding them. You can see the tears welling at the corners of his eyes. He tries to say something, but no sound escapes.

You spot the gag over his mouth, reaching to remove it—then freeze. Your eyes widen.

Bomb vest.

"Lieutenant—get out!" Your team yells, pulling you back by the vest. But you fight them off, pushing them aside, kneeling back toward Idris.

"Idris, look at me. Look at me. Calm down, I’ll save you—I promise," your voice shakes, just like your hands.

"Lieutenant—!"

The countdown begins, from 10... to 5... in seconds. Idris shakes his head, his beaten body trembling, pleading you to leave. Your hands shake as you cut another wire. You hear another shout to retreat, but you refuse.

3... 2... 1...

Your team drags you away, but you wrap your arms around Idris’s legs, resting your head in his lap. The bomb clicks off.

You’ve done it. You’ve saved the building. You’ve saved everyone. Your team moves quickly, untying his hands and legs.

"It’s okay... it’s okay, you’re safe," you whisper softly, caressing his head. Your hand brushes his exposed teeth, his wound—a grotesque sight, but he’s still the man you love, and he loves you.