Chapter 4

The pain was unbearable...

That was the only thought echoing in my mind.

"Cold..."

When I regained consciousness, I was wrapped in a blanket in a car, held by a man. I knew my body was burning with fever, yet I felt cold.

"Nora, just hold on a bit longer, we're almost there!"

Hearing my words, he held me tighter and asked the driver to turn up the heat.

Was I being rescued?

The itch, like ants gnawing at my bones, made me squirm. If not for the man's firm hold, I might have moved more.

But it was unbearable. I instinctively tried to bite my hand, which was already raw and bloody.

The expected pain didn't come, but the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

It took me a moment to realize I was biting the man's hand.

"Don't worry, you'll be okay, you'll be okay."

I didn't know him, but his worried expression seemed genuine.

That night, I had a persistent fever in the hospital, and the man stayed by my side, talking to me incessantly.

I could feel my life slipping away, vitality draining from me bit by bit.

"Sir, could you tell me your name?"

The man paused for a moment.

"Ezra, my name is Ezra."

Before I completely blacked out, I thought that when I woke up, I must thank him for saving me.

But I didn't anticipate that this would be my last coherent thought.

I seemed to have a dream.

I was curled up on the ground crying, and the child version of me approached.

Back then, she was innocent and kind, resilient and brave.

"If you're tired, just rest for a while."

She held me, and it felt like being back in my mother's warm embrace, so I fell asleep peacefully.

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