The beeping grew louder.
Faster.
Unsteady.
Jennie tightened her grip on Jay's hand, her whole body shaking.
Jennie: Jay—Jay please, do it again!
We all leaned in.
Barely breathing.
And then—
Jay's fingers twitched again.
Stronger this time.
Ci-N: Nurse. Now.
The door opened almost instantly as nurses rushed in, surrounding Jay and quickly examining her, their movements fast but controlled. Then...
Jay's eyelids fluttered.
Once.
Twice.
Keifer: …no way.
Jennie was crying openly now.
Jennie: That's it, sis. Come on. I'm right here.
The door burst open as a nurse and doctor rushed in. They checked the monitors quickly.
Doctor: She's responding. Very good.
We were pushed back a little, but none of us left.
Jay's lips moved.
Barely.
A weak breath escaped—
And then—
Her eyes opened.
Slowly.
Blurry.
But open.
Jennie gasped.
Jennie: Jay…?
Jay stared at her, trying to focus.
Jay (hoarse whisper): …why are you crying?
Jennie let out a broken laugh.
Jennie: You idiot… you scared us to death!
Jay blinked slowly.
Her eyes moved across the room.
Landing on all of us.
Confused.
Tired.
But aware.
Jay: …what… happened?
No one answered immediately.
We didn't even know where to start.
Keifer stepped forward, forcing a small smile.
Keifer: You decided to take the longest nap in history.
A faint smirk touched Jay's lips.
Jay: …sounds like me.
Silence settled again.
But this time—it wasn't empty.
It was full.
Full of relief.
Then suddenly—
Jay's eyes widened just a little, like something clicked in her mind.
Her voice was still weak, but clearer now.
Jay: …wait.
We all leaned in again.
Jay: …the fancy restaurant.
Jennie blinked through her tears.
Jennie: What?
Jay looked straight at her, serious despite how exhausted she looked.
Jay: You said… we'd go… if I woke up.
A pause.
Then—
Keifer let out a soft laugh of disbelief.
Keifer: Of course that's the FIRST thing you remember.
Jay's lips curved slightly.
Jay: I've been thinking about it… for days.
Jennie started laughing and crying at the same time.
Jennie: You've been in a coma!
Jay (softly): …still counts.
Even Ci-N let out a quiet chuckle.
Ci-N: Unbelievable.
Jay shifted slightly, wincing just a bit.
But her eyes stayed locked on Jennie.
Jay: Promise… we go.
Jennie squeezed her hand, nodding immediately.
Jennie: We promise. All of us.
Keifer: Section E invasion. That place won't survive.
Jay let out the faintest laugh.
Jay: …good.
Her eyes slowly began to close again, exhaustion pulling her under.
But this time—
It wasn't scary.
Jennie brushed her hair gently.
Jennie: Rest. We're not going anywhere.
Jay whispered one last thing before drifting off—
Jay: …don't go without me.
Keifer smiled softly.
Keifer: Not a chance.
The machines returned to a steady rhythm.
And this time—
Every beep felt like a countdown.
Not to fear.
But to something waiting for all of us.
That restaurant.
Together.