The night settled deep and quiet beyond the chamber walls, the world outside dimmed into shadows and silver light, though within the room, something far more fragile lingered between breath and memory.
Elara remained seated beside the bed, her posture composed yet not untouched, for the slight stiffness in her shoulders and the faint curl of her fingers betrayed the storm she held carefully beneath stillness.
Sarah lay half-raised against the pillows, her breathing steadier now, though each inhale carried weight, as though her body had returned, yet something within her had not fully followed.
The lamplight flickered softly across their faces, painting faint shadows that shifted with every movement, every subtle change in expression that neither tried to hide any longer.
"…you're staring," Sarah muttered faintly.
Her voice rasped.
Elara did not look away.
"…I am," she replied softly.
A faint pause followed.
"…I need to see you're still here."
