Unconscious

Elias POV

“Elias!”

I lifted my head slowly, vision blurry from tears and fever, as she rushed toward me with an umbrella. Her shoes splashed through puddles, and her face was filled with pure panic and worry.

“Oh my God, Elias!” She dropped to her knees right in front of me on the wet pavement, not caring that her clothes were getting soaked.

The umbrella was quickly positioned over both of us as she grabbed my shoulders. “What are you doing?! Sitting here in the rain like this? You’re burning up!”

I could only stare at her, my body shaking violently from the cold and fever.

“Emily…” My voice came out hoarse. “I… I have nothing left.”

She pulled me into a tight hug, ignoring the rain and how wet I was. “Don’t say that. You have me. You’ve always had me. Now get up. We’re getting you out of this rain right now.”

I didn’t move. I couldn’t. The weight of everything kept me glued to the cold ground.

Emily pulled back slightly, cupping my face with both hands. Her eyes were red, like she had been crying too. “Look at me, Elias. Whatever happened in that house, we will deal with it together. But you cannot stay here. You’re going to end up in the hospital if we don’t get you warm and dry.”

I shook my head weakly. “They… they all hate me, Emily. Fred… he planned everything. He wanted me raped. He wanted me pregnant so they could throw me away. And Father… he knew. He knew something was wrong with me and still… still treated me like this.”

Emily’s eyes widened in horror, but she quickly composed herself. “We’ll talk about all of that later. Right now, you’re coming with me. Can you stand?”

I tried, but my legs felt like jelly. Emily wrapped one arm around my waist and helped me up, holding the umbrella over us with the other hand. She guided me toward her car, practically carrying half my weight.

“Easy… easy,” she murmured softly. “I’ve got you. Just a few more steps.”

Once we reached the car, she opened the passenger door and carefully helped me inside. She tossed the umbrella into the back seat, then climbed into the driver’s seat and immediately turned on the heater full blast.

“You’re freezing,” she said, reaching over to rub my arms. “Your lips are blue, Elias. What were you thinking, sitting in the rain like that?”

I leaned my head against the seat, shivering uncontrollably. “I don’t know… I just wanted it to stop. Everything should stop.”

Emily started driving, one hand on the wheel and the other occasionally reaching over to squeeze mine. “You’re not alone. I’m here. We’re going to my apartment. You’re staying with me tonight.”

I stayed silent for a while, staring out the window as rain streaked down the glass.

“Emily… I told my father I’m no longer a Carter. I disowned them.”

She glanced at me, surprised but not entirely shocked. “Good. They don’t deserve you. But we’ll figure out the rest tomorrow. Right now, you need rest and medicine.”

I closed my eyes, exhausted. “Thank you… for coming.”

“I’ll always come for you,” she said softly. “Always.”

The heater slowly warmed the car, but the cold in my bones and in my heart remained.

Suddenly, a violent wave of nausea hit me.

“Emily…” I gasped, clutching my stomach. “I think I’m going to—”

Before I could finish, Emily quickly reached into the back seat and thrust a plastic bag into my hands.

“Here! Use this!” she said urgently, keeping one hand on the wheel. “Don’t hold it in. Just let it out.”

I barely managed to open the bag in time before my stomach rebelled. I vomited hard into the plastic, my body heaving painfully.

The taste was bitter and acidic. Tears streamed down my face again as dry heaves followed.

Emily kept driving, one hand rubbing my back in small, soothing circles whenever she could. “It’s okay… breathe through it. I’ve got you.”

When it finally stopped, she handed me a bottle of water from the cup holder. “Rinse your mouth. Small sips only.”

I took the bottle with shaking hands and rinsed my mouth weakly before leaning back in the seat, completely drained. My vision started to blur at the edges. The world felt distant, like I was floating away from my own body.

“Emily…” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I feel so weak… like life is slipping away. Everything is getting dark…”

Her grip on the steering wheel tightened. “Elias, stay with me. We’re going to the hospital right now. Just hold on a little longer, okay?”

I tried to nod, but even that small movement felt impossible. My eyelids grew heavier. The rain outside seemed louder, then softer, then distant.

“Elias, stay awake!” Emily’s voice rose with panic. “The hospital is not far. We’ll be there in no time. Just keep talking to me. Tell me anything. Don’t close your eyes!”

I wanted to answer her. I wanted to tell her how much her friendship meant to me. How sorry I was for dragging her into my mess.

But the words wouldn’t come. My body felt like it was shutting down, piece by piece.

“Emily… I’m sorry…” I mumbled weakly.

“No! Don’t you dare apologize!” she cried, her voice cracking. “Stay awake, Elias! Please! We’re almost there. Just a few more minutes. Fight for me, okay? Fight!”

Her words faded into a distant echo. The sound of the rain and the engine grew quieter.

That was the last thing I heard before everything went black.