Echoes Through the Fevered Veil

The return to reality was swift and disorienting. Hffyl's heart raced, every beat sending a throb of pain through his temples. The weight on his chest was immense, making each breath feel like a marathon. The persistent burn in his throat stopped him from calling out for help.

Every muscle in his body trembled uncontrollably, betraying his desire to remain still. His brain, fogged by the fever, could barely process his surroundings. The room was dim, unfamiliar shadows dancing on the walls. He could feel the rough texture of the sheets beneath him, damp with his sweat.

Trying to open his eyes, they felt heavy, hot, and swollen. They barely opened a slit, but the light still pierced through, making him wince. A once-cool cloth lay on his forehead, now dry and almost scorching against his skin. Every attempt to move was futile; he felt trapped in his own body.

A jumble of thoughts raced through his mind. "Is this it?" he thought, struggling to keep his thoughts clear. "I've faced down gun barrels, felt the rush of a battle, and now, a fever might be the end of me?"

It was hard to distinguish how long he'd been in this state. Time seemed to stretch and blur. The dull, distant sound of footsteps outside the room was his only connection to the outside world. If only he could muster the strength to call out. But his body, worn out and defeated, refused to comply.

Hffyl lay there, his senses returning in fits and starts. The world spun around him, and his body felt like a bag of broken bricks. Breathing was a chore, each inhale causing a fiery jolt through his sore throat.

His dry lips cracked as he tried to summon a whisper, "Wa...ter..."

The room remained silent, save for the rhythmic rise and fall of his labored breathing. He wrestled with his eyelids, coaxing them open to mere slits. The room was dimly lit, and the ceiling seemed an unending abyss.

Minutes, hours, who could tell, passed in this haze of pain and disorientation. And then, a silhouette materialized on the edge of his blurred vision. It was Liv. She stood there for a moment, her face readable, before moving closer.

He wanted to say something, apologize maybe, or just ask for water. But his throat was too dry, his voice a mere whisper lost in his ragged breathing. She seemed to understand his distress without words. Without speaking, she wetted the dried cloth on his forehead, wrung it, and placed it back gently. Then, she adjusted the bed, elevating his head slightly, which surprisingly made it a tad easier for him to breathe.

Hffyl struggled to focus on Liv, his hazy vision sharpening just a bit as she held a glass of water to his parched lips. He sipped it weakly, the cold liquid providing momentary relief against the searing pain in his throat.

As she set the glass aside, she hesitated, her usually guarded expression softening. "You know," she began, her voice unusually soft, "when I joined the AASOC, it wasn't for some grand purpose or to be a hero." She sighed, her gaze distant. "Honestly, it was for the college funds."

Hffyl blinked, trying to process her words. His feverish mind made it difficult, but he made an effort, curious to hear more from someone he'd butted heads with so often.

She continued, her fingers playing absently with a loose thread on her sleeve. "Growing up in London, all I dreamt about was going to university. But the costs... they were just too much for my family. And then the AASOC came along with their deal: serve and get your education paid for. It was the way out, my escape plan."

Hffyl's weak breaths were the only sound in the dim room. This was a side of Liv he had never seen, and in his vulnerable state, it was strangely comforting to hear her open up.

She gave a half-smile, "Never imagined I'd be leading Juliet Squad. Never thought I'd be good at this. Yet here we are. Each member joined for their own reasons."

Hffyl watched her, his mind racing to process her words amidst his feverish haze. This wasn't the confident, sometimes icy squad leader he knew. This was someone else, someone more vulnerable, more human.

She continued, "But then...things got complicated. Lines got blurred. And now? Now they want me gone. Done away with. Like a problem they need to erase."

Liv took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The weight of her revelation hung heavy in the room. He could see the pain in her eyes, the raw hurt of betrayal.

"I get it, you know?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "The choices we make...they have consequences. But, it doesn't mean we deserve this."

Hffyl's breathing was labored, but he managed to convey a sense of calm as he began speaking, using a mix of Malay and English, "You know, all of this... it's a lot. But for me, it's not even about all the grand adventures, time-travels, or battles. It's about family."

Liv, clearly not expecting this, looked at him curiously, prompting him to continue.

"When I was trapped in that time loop, on the ship and then in Afghanistan... every moment was an agonizing reminder of how much I missed my family. I just want them to know I'm okay, that I fought to come back to them. Even if it's just my lifeless body, they should have closure."

Liv's eyes softened. "It's funny how life puts everything into perspective. College fund, skills, adventure - we all had our reasons to join, but in the end, we're all just trying to get back to some kind of normal. To find a semblance of peace."

Hffyl gave a weak smile, "You know, between the Portuguese, the sailship, and all that insurgency stuff, there were these moments, fleeting ones, where I thought I was close to understanding the bigger picture. But it's like a mirage. It's there, and then it's not. Everything's connected, though. The past, the present, the people."

Liv nodded, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "We all have our stories. The Juliet Squad, for example. Dan just wanted adventure. Emily saw a recruiting booth at a college fair. Liam wanted to get through medical school without debt. And Charlie? She was street fighting when AASOC scouted her. Imagine that."

Hffyl managed a chuckle, "Guess we're all just products of our circumstances, trying to make the best of it. But look at us now, in the middle of all this chaos."

Liv took a deep breath, "You know, back when we had our... differences, it was mostly because I couldn't understand where you were coming from. But hearing this, seeing this side of you, it's humbling. We're not that different."

Hffyl exhaled slowly, pain evident in his eyes. "Being the eldest, it's like navigating a maze without a guide. Every turn I take is a gamble, not knowing if it's right. But behind me are two younger souls, following my path. Every misstep, every stumble, they see and they learn. And the weight of that...it's just...," his voice trailed off.

Liv stared at the ceiling, absorbing his words. "I can't pretend to know what that feels like. I mean, growing up, it was just me. Lonely, sure, but in some ways, simpler. No one to look up to, but also no one to look out for. It was... freeing, but also kind of isolating."

Hffyl managed a weak smile, "Sometimes, I just wish I had someone older. To tell me that it's okay to make mistakes. That it's okay to be weak sometimes. But instead, I have to be the wall that stands firm, even when all I want is to crumble."

The room was thick with vulnerability. Liv, trying to bridge the gap without overstepping any boundaries, whispered, "You know, if you ever need an ear, or a... well, metaphorical shoulder, I'll try." She gestured between them, indicating the space that respected both their backgrounds.

He looked at her, his gaze sincere, "I could've used an older sister like you."

She chuckled, "And maybe I could've used a pesky younger brother." She gave him a light-hearted nod, trying to bring a bit of levity to their conversation.