Had it all been a dream?
I exhaled a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, it was just a dream.
If Debra had perished as she did in the dream, leaving me alone forever, I couldnât fathom the depth of sorrow I would have endured.
The thought of enduring that suffocating pain again was something I never wished to experience again.
âCaleb, youâre awake at last.
â Upon seeing me awake, Carlos quickly rose from his seat and approached me, his expression filled with concern.
âDo you feel unwell anywhere else?â
For a moment, I felt a flicker of confusion wash over me.
After a swift survey of my surroundings, I recognized the familiar sight of hospital equipment, furrowing my brow in confusion.
âWhere are we? Werenât we in the forest? How did we end up in a hospital?â
Carlosâ countenance tensed, betraying a hint of unease.
He scrutinized my features, pausing before answering, âCaleb, weâre at the Thorn Edge Pack.
You collapsed earlier, so I brought you here to the packâs hospital for treatment.
â
âThe Thorn Edge Pack?â
I gently tapped my head, attempting to clear the fog in my mind.
In my recollection, we were still amidst the desolate forest, engaged in a battle for our lives against Gale.
How did I end up in a hospital within the Thorn Edge Pack?
As I scanned the room and peered out the window, I couldnât help but ask, âWhereâs Debra? Where is she now?â
Carlos hesitated, his expression fraught with uncertainty.
âShe⦠Sheâ¦â
My heart sank, and with a surge of urgency, I tried to reach out through our mind Link to sense Debraâs presence.
In an instant, my eyes widened in sheer shock.
A profound sense of disbelief washed over me.
How could there be nothing?
Why had the mind link with Debra suddenly vanished?
The news left me reeling with panic, and a torrent of memories I had been avoiding flooded my mind.
Images of Debra raising her hand, the blinding white light that struck me, and the sudden disappearance of our mind link before I lost consciousness, flashed vividly in my mind.
In a sudden motion, I rose from the bed, grasping Carlos firmly by the shoulders.
âWhere is Debra?â
Carlos clenched his fists, anguish etching lines across his face.
After my relentless inquiry, he finally uttered, his voice barely above a whisper, âDebra⦠Debraâ¦â
âSpeak!â I commanded, my grip tightening, âTell me, where is Debra? Where can I find her?â