Tears, Tensions, and a Sudden Summons

I sat on the cold bathroom floor, my back pressed against the tub, knees drawn up to my chest. My eyes burned from crying, and my throat felt raw. The bathroom had become my fortress of solitude, where I could hide from the insanity happening outside.

How could they even consider it? How could Ronan volunteer himself as a test subject for the void? The same void that had nearly killed Kaelen. The same void that had separated us all in the first place.

A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Hazel?" Ronan's gentle voice called. "Please talk to me."

"Go away," I croaked, my voice betraying how much I'd been crying.

"I'm not going anywhere," he replied steadily. "I'll sit out here all night if I have to."

I pressed my palms against my eyes, willing the tears to stop. "Why are you doing this? Why are you so determined to risk your life?"

There was a pause, and I could picture him leaning his forehead against the door.