Whispers 'n Bullets

Chapter 8: Divine Retaliation

Haerin's eyes fluttered open, the dim light of the room slowly coming into focus. As she pushed herself up from the cold floor, a wave of dizziness washed over her, but she ignored it, her focus solely on her surroundings.

Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Danielle lying motionless on the floor nearby. Without hesitation, Haerin rushed to her side, panic coursing through her veins. She reached out a trembling hand, relief flooding her when she felt the faint rise and fall of Danielle's chest.

"Marsh," Haerin whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She gently shook the girl, willing her to wake up. "Can you hear me? Are you okay?"

Danielle stirred, groaning softly as she slowly regained consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open, blinking against the dim light as she focused on Haerin's face. "Haerin?" she murmured, her voice hoarse.

Haerin's relief was palpable as she helped Danielle sit up, a flood of emotions washing over her.

As Danielle blinked away the haze of unconsciousness, she glanced around the dimly lit room, confusion clouding her features. "Where... where are we?" she asked, her voice still groggy from sleep.

Haerin's brow furrowed as she surveyed their surroundings, taking in the cold, barren walls and the faint flicker of a distant light. "I'm not sure," she admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "But wherever it is, we need to find a way out."

As Danielle struggled to push herself upright, a rasping cough escaped her lips, causing Haerin's concern to spike. She reached out a hand to steady the girl, trying to hide the worry that gnawed at her insides.

"How did we get here?" she asked, her voice strained with both confusion and discomfort.

Haerin took a deep breath, steeling herself as she recounted their harrowing escape from the collapsing building. "When the Capitol collapsed, you passed out," she explained, her voice tinged with regret. "I had to drag you to safety, but... we were found by a group of… possibly terrorists."

Danielle's eyes widened in alarm as she absorbed Haerin's words, the gravity of their situation sinking in. "What happened next?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Haerin's jaw tightened as she recalled the events that followed. "I put up a fight," she continued, her tone heavy with frustration. "But I was too weak... They overpowered me, and..." Her voice trailed off, the memory of being rendered unconscious still vivid in her mind.

Haerin's fists clenched at her sides as she fought to control her emotions, the memory of their ordeal still fresh in her mind. "They knocked me out," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I tried to protect us, but..."

Danielle reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Haerin's arm. "Hey, it's okay," she said softly, her voice filled with understanding. "You did everything you could. We're alive, and that's what matters."

Haerin's gaze flickered to the wound on Danielle's side, her heart sinking at the sight of the blood staining her friend's clothes. "But you're not okay," she insisted, her voice laced with concern. "We need to get you some help."

Danielle winced as she shifted, the pain evident in her expression. "I'll be fine," she replied, though her voice was strained.

Despite Danielle's reassurance, Haerin could see the strain etched on her friend's face. As Danielle attempted to stand, her legs buckled beneath her, unable to support her weight. Without hesitation, Haerin reached out, gently pulling her back down to the floor.

"No, you need to rest," Haerin urged, her voice firm but gentle. "You're in no condition to move right now. Just calm down for now and let me take care of you."