So the war had started. How did this happen? We tried so hard. My plan was perfect. Looks like they broke their promise… after everything. I hope the families are okay.
And, Laila. God… is Laila okay?
The beeping grew louder.
A shadow moved above me.
The pain surged again. Why couldn't they hear me? I needed to go back.
"Shh…", she said in a tender voice.
Oh. She could hear me.
Then I felt a cool hand on my forehead. It steadied me.
"Listen to me, Firefox," she whispered. "You are safe. A little bruised but you will be fine, Firefox. Get some rest, we will talk."
That voice. So calm. So commanding… yet strangely gentle.
Firefox? Who was Firefox?
Safe? She had said there was a war. How were we safe?
I need to be out there. All those plans weren't made so I could lie here helpless.
"Calm down, Firefox.", she said softly. "For now, just rest and get stronger. Let me take care of things until then."
Is she calling me Firefox? Like the browser?
Is she okay?
Somehow… I didn't think I could argue with her. She sounded like she knew what she was doing.
But what about Laila?
"He's reacting," someone else said.
"Of course he is," she replied. "He's not dead."
Dead? Was I supposed to be dead?
"Easy there, fluttery finch!", she added.
A hand touched my shoulder. And did she call me a finch?!
"You are safe." she said again.
Somehow, I believed her.
And then I heard it again — an explosion. Not the monitors. Another bomb had gone off.
The room shook. Dust fell somewhere in the distance.
Memories floated through my mind like smoke.
"Safe… for now.", she muttered under her breath.