Whispers at Dawn

CHAPTER 34

When Ethan opened his eyes, morning had already come.

He was lying in a dimly lit room, the ceiling cracked, letting thin rays of light seep through. At first, he couldn't grasp where he was or even why he was here. But there was something running through his veins… something unfamiliar, foreign. It was as if the echo of the ritual was still inside him.

He tried to sit up, but just then the door creaked open.

A girl entered. She was about his age, short, dressed in simple clothes. Her gaze was cautious but calm.

"So, you're awake…" she said. "They found you up in the mountains. You were completely torn up. But… unfortunately, your friend didn't make it."

Ethan frowned. "My friend? What are you talking about?"

The girl tilted her head slightly. "They found the two of you on the mountainside. I don't know what you were doing there, but… you'd been attacked. Wild animals. Somehow, you survived. Luckily, your wounds weren't fatal. But your friend… he couldn't be saved."

"Ah… right." Ethan's voice was cold. He knew the truth. He had killed that man with his own hands. But saying that now would only make staying here impossible. For now, he had to stay quiet.

The girl took a step closer, setting down the small basket she was carrying. "I came to check your wounds. I'll change your bandages." She gave a faint smile. "By the way… I'm Jessica."

"Ethan," he replied briefly, already thinking of excuses in his head.

"Alright, now stay still. Let's get those bandages changed," Jessica said, reaching out her hands.

"There's no need. I'll handle it myself. Thanks, but I'm already awake," Ethan protested.

Jessica frowned. "No, that won't do. Please, just stay still. I need to take a look."

Ethan tried to pull back, but Jessica was persistent. Just as her hands were about to touch the bandage on his chest… Ethan instinctively grabbed her wrists.

Jessica froze for a moment. Her face flushed slightly. "Your hands… they're really warm," she said softly.

Ethan quickly let go the moment he realized. With a swift motion, he got out of bed. "Where are my clothes? I need to leave now," he said sharply.

Jessica's expression shifted. "You can't leave this place."

Ethan's gaze hardened with confusion. "What? What are you talking about? Fine, you helped me… but what do you still want?"

Jessica took a deep breath, her eyes momentarily staring into nothingness. "This place… is a prison camp. No one leaves here. I'm a prisoner too. I used to live in the village, I was a healer… but they built this place and brought us here by force. I take care of the injured people they bring in."

Then she looked back at Ethan, her eyes still filled with bewilderment. "Normally, they wouldn't bring someone as wounded as you here… but they brought you. I still don't understand why."

Ethan fell silent for a moment, his gaze drifting to the corner of the room. Then he took a deep breath.

"I have a guess…" he said quietly. "…but I hope I'm wrong."

Jessica looked at him in confusion but didn't ask. She only held up the bandages in her hands.

"But… you're still wounded. I need to change your bandages, you know that, right?" she said softly, though there was a gentle insistence in her tone.

Ethan shook his head. "Wait. There's something more important."

As he stood, his eyes sharpened. "From here… I can get all of you out. But you'll have to trust me."

Jessica froze for a moment, then furrowed her brows slightly.

"Excuse me…" she said cautiously. "…but I don't even know who you really are. Why should I trust you?"

Ethan's face grew serious, his voice deepening. "At the very least…" he said slowly, never breaking eye contact with her, "…it's better than remaining a prisoner. You have to trust me."

Jessica's eyes flickered with a moment of hesitation. The silence in the room grew heavier.

"You're right. I can't stay here any longer," she said at last, her tone firm.