Chapter 583: Frayed (1)

"Don't you dare die on me, Chris!" Katherine pleaded, her heart pounding so fast and loud in her chest as she watched him suck in the pain. He had been through so much the last few weeks, and his body suffered so many wounds. He was just healing, and now he's bleeding again.

Damien came with Amelia, and he bent to their level, saying, "Come on, I'll support you." He began to carefully place his hand under Chris's head to assist him up. At the moment, he could only see someone dear to Katherine who was in bad shape. Despite his differences with the man, he wanted to extend help.

Chris coughed up blood. His breathing shallowed, and then he shook his head. "It's too late," he uttered in a weak voice.

"We're going home, Christopher. We're getting help," said Amelia as he held his other hand. She sounded calm, but her eyes were laced with worry. "Styles, we have a man down. We need help," she spoke through the comms.

"Help is on the way," Styles immediately responded.

Chris looked at Amelia. With the little energy he had, he squeezed her hand back. He knew that she was aware of his situation. They couldn't move him now as he was already losing so much blood. It was impossible to escape this place with him in tow. "You should go," he muttered.

Refusing to give in, Katherine squeezed his hand as if giving him courage when he told him, "You can't die yet! What about your sister?" Her hands were trembling in fear, and she was pissed that Chris already gave up trying.

"Karina… Tell her… I'm sorry I can't come home." He held his breath and coughed again, appearing to be in so much pain.

His words brought her to tears. For a long while, she had thought so many times and so many ways on how she would end his life. But at that very moment, all she could hope for was that he would hold on to his life. An unbearable pain crushed her chest when she realized what was happening. She hadn't even had the chance to sit down and talk to him properly. There were still so many questions left unanswered.

"Chris…" Katherine sobbed.

"Don't cry…" Bringing his blood-stained fingers to her face, he gently wiped the tears from her face, only to have some red smudge left on her skin. "I'm happy... I got to see you again. You… You did love me back then… didn't you?" he asked in almost a whisper.

Through her misty eyes, Katherine couldn't help feeling sorrowful. Their past quickly flashed in her mind, remembering all the times they spent together and how she felt during those times she was with him. At this point, she could only cry as she nodded.

"I'm glad," Chris whispered, patting her hand and squeezing it weakly. He smiled, his eyes brimming with tears, and when he closed them, a tear rolled out of the corner.

"You need to get out of there fast. The team from the north and south section detected explosives everywhere," Styles informed them through the comms.

Two strong hands pulled Katherine up from the ground. "Come on. We have to leave," she heard Damien say.

"What about Chris?" she asked in a whimper, her hand refusing to let go of Chris's cold one.

However, Amelia blocked her view and held her wrist. Looking at her straight in the eyes, she said in a toneless voice, "Katherine. He's gone."

Then… Chris's hand slipped out of Katherine's grip and fell to the floor.

…

A loud explosion shook the ground, followed by a couple more. Katherine didn't know how they managed to get out of the underground building due to her muddled head.

She could vaguely remember that they were still down there when the explosions started, destroying the structure section by section. If they had stayed any longer, they would have been buried.

The massive explosion happened just as they reached the exit and climbed out. They jumped onto the ground and covered their heads. Damien shielded Katherine and his mother with his body as they faced down the grass, the earth still shaking from the destruction.

Wincing in pain, Damien slowly pushed himself off the ground, and Amelia also got up. The sound of an ambulance siren rang, growing louder by the second.

"Katherine," he worried when she wasn't moving. Quickly checking her pulse and breathing, he was relieved that she was okay, so he picked her up and carried her towards the ambulance.

Armored vehicles, a helicopter, and armed men surrounded the whole area. Amelia held Damien's arm briefly and told him, "Take her to the hospital. I'll settle things here with Styles and Director Hughes."

He nodded and was about to walk away when his mother stopped him, pressing a handkerchief on his forehead as she said, "Have yourself checked too. You're bleeding."

Damien didn't even realize that he was hurt until Amelia showed him the blood on the handkerchief.

"She'll be okay," Amelia reassured.

A medical team came to them with a stretcher, in which Damien carefully transferred Katherine onto it. He left with them, and they were brought to a medical facility that was exclusive to NIA agents.

The day ended when the sun set and the sky darkened. He stayed beside her the entire time, refusing to be placed in a separate room to recuperate. Katherine had been unconscious ever since they left the prairie a couple of hours ago.

Katherine broke a couple of ribs, and she had wounds and bruises everywhere on her body. It could take weeks until she would fully recover again. She needed rest and possibly therapy. The doctors would only know more once she wakes up.

Damien was saddened to see her in this state, but he was thankful that she was alive. And hopefully, she would be glad to hear the news when she gains consciousness.

His heart ached, seeing her in bed with some wires attached to her body. He gently stroked her hand and held it, hoping that his warmth would bring her back to health.

They've won a battle, but it still felt like they've lost a lot.