Adam ran down the street, his breath clouding the cold air, each step a desperate attempt to close the widening gap between him and Elena. His heart pounded not just from exertion but from the weight of what he’d done.
“Elena!” he shouted, his voice echoing in the quiet night.
He spotted a figure in the distance, barely illuminated by the faint glow of a streetlamp. His stomach sank as he recognized her coat, her slumped posture barely upright as she staggered forward. Something was wrong.
“Elena!” Adam’s voice cracked as he sprinted toward her.
Before he could reach her, he saw her stumble, her knees buckling as she collapsed onto the icy road.
“No, no, no!” Panic surged through him as he dropped to his knees beside her. He gently turned her over, her pale face and closed eyes sendin
