Chapter 38: Breathless
The moment the gas started filling the room, Lina's heart nearly stopped.
Her breathing became shallow.
"Emily… what are you doing?!"
Emily stood near the door, calm and composed.
Her lips curved slightly.
"Ending everything."
Lina coughed lightly.
The smell was strange.
Heavy.
Her chest tightened.
"You'll die too…" Lina said, struggling to breathe.
Emily shook her head.
"No."
She pulled out a small mask from her bag and placed it over her face.
Lina's eyes widened.
"You… planned this…"
Emily smiled.
"Of course."
Marcus began coughing violently.
"Please… don't…"
His voice trembled.
Emily didn't even look at him.
Lina rushed toward Marcus.
Her head felt dizzy.
She tried to untie the ropes.
Her fingers trembled.
"Hurry…"
Marcus whispered weakly.
Lina struggled with the knots.
The gas thickened.
Her vision blurred slightly.
Meanwhile…
Outside the building—
Adrian suddenly stiffened.
Something felt wrong.
Too quiet.
Daniel frowned.
"Why is she taking so long?"
Adrian's chest tightened.
"No…"
Without hesitation, he rushed toward the building.
Daniel followed immediately.
Inside—
Lina finally loosened one knot.
Her breathing became harder.
Her lungs burned.
"Hurry…" Marcus whispered again.
Lina nodded weakly.
Her hands moved slower.
Everything felt heavy.
The gas cloud thickened.
Her vision darkened at the edges.
Suddenly—
The door burst open.
Adrian rushed inside.
"Lina!"
Relief flooded her eyes.
"Adrian…"
Her knees nearly gave out.
He ran toward her immediately.
Daniel followed behind, covering his nose.
"What the hell—"
Adrian quickly untied Marcus.
"Help him outside!"
Daniel nodded.
He grabbed Marcus and dragged him toward the exit.
Adrian turned toward Lina.
She swayed slightly.
He caught her instantly.
"Lina… stay with me."
Her breathing was weak.
"I… can't…"
He lifted her into his arms.
Her head rested against his chest.
Her eyes slowly closed.
"Lina!"
He rushed outside immediately.
Fresh air hit them.
Daniel laid Marcus down.
Adrian placed Lina gently on the ground.
Her face pale.
Her breathing faint.
Fear gripped Adrian's chest.
"Lina…"
He gently tapped her cheek.
No response.
His heart pounded.
"Call an ambulance!"
Daniel immediately dialed emergency services.
Adrian held Lina tightly.
His voice trembled.
"Don't leave me…"
Minutes later—
The ambulance arrived.
Lina and Marcus were taken inside.
Adrian sat beside her.
His hand never left hers.
Her fingers felt cold.
His chest tightened painfully.
He realized something.
The thought of losing her—
Terrified him.
—
At the hospital…
Doctors rushed Lina inside.
Adrian stood outside.
Restless.
Daniel stood beside him quietly.
"You saved her…"
Adrian didn't answer.
His eyes remained fixed on the emergency room.
Minutes felt like hours.
Finally—
The doctor came out.
"She's okay."
Adrian's breath released.
"She inhaled some gas but no permanent damage."
Relief flooded his chest.
"Can I see her?"
The doctor nodded.
"She'll wake up soon."
Adrian entered the room.
Lina lay quietly on the bed.
Her breathing steady.
Her face pale but peaceful.
He sat beside her.
His fingers gently held hers.
"You scared me…"
His voice soft.
After a few minutes—
Lina slowly opened her eyes.
Her vision blurred.
Then she saw him.
"Adrian…"
Relief flashed across his face.
"You're awake."
She smiled weakly.
"You came…"
He nodded.
"Of course."
Her fingers tightened slightly around his.
"Thank you…"
Their eyes met.
Something warm filled the air.
For the first time—
Adrian realized—
He wasn't protecting her out of responsibility anymore.
He was protecting her—
Because he couldn't lose her.
—
Meanwhile…
Emily stood inside her apartment.
Watching the news.
"Two rescued from abandoned building."
Her lips tightened.
"They survived…"
Her eyes darkened.
"Fine…"
She picked up her phone.
"This isn't over yet."
And far away—
A new storm quietly began.