Chapter 555

Elijah tried to comfort me and clumsily wrapped me in his coat. Exhausted from crying, I stopped struggling. "I'll carry you back," he said softly. I tried to stand, only to realize my legs were too weak to hold me. "It's okay," he reassured me. "I'll carry you." He crouched down in front of me and waited. I wiped my tears and pushed him away. "I don't need you to carry me." But he was stubborn. "Get on, or you'll freeze out here." Looking around, I realized we were far from the hospital, with no one else in sight. I had run too far in my impulsive outburst, leaving all the medical staff back in the building. Left with no choice, I awkwardly climbed onto his back. He took a deep breath and slowly lifted me. I noticed his face turning red and his expression filled with pain. It wasn't until then that I realized his injured leg was trembling uncontrollably. I blurted out, "Put me down! Your leg—" He adjusted his grip on me, picked up his cane, and said firmly, "It's fine. I