340: SERENE SOLACE

ARIEL'S POV In the quiet of the night, I stirred in my hospital bed, the gentle moonlight filtering through the curtains and illuminating the bruises that adorned my body. Beside me, Janice slept peacefully, her innocent face a comforting sight in the sterile room. With a deep breath, I gathered my strength; every movement was a reminder of the pain that lingered from recent events. But my resilience propelled me forward. Carefully, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, feeling the protest of my sore muscles with each motion. My limbs felt heavy with exhaustion, but I pushed through, my focus solely on ensuring Janice's undisturbed rest before venturing into the silent halls beyond. Each step was a battle against the ache that coursed through me, but I pressed on, driven by the singular purpose of finding Luke. I wanted to see his face. I needed to assess his condition and determine whether everything would be alright. Of course, no doubts. Everything would be okay. The hosp