DreameNovelUnlock the content CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE I parked the truck and made my way inside, my heart pounding in my chest as I casually walked past the night receptionist and toward the elevators. Jessica's room was on the fourth floor, and the elevator ride felt like an eternity.
As I approached the ICU, I could hear the soft beeping of machines and the distant murmurs of nurses. The lights were dimmed, a soft hum of nighttactivity.
No one paid any mind to me.
As long as I kept my eyes forward, I was just another worried family member to them; and besides, those nurses were all too exhausted to care.
When I pushed open the door to her room, the sight that greetedwas heart-wrenching.
Jessica lay in the hospital bed, multiple casts encasing her broken limbs, and tubes and wires connected to various machines.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe looked so small and fragile, a stark contrast to the vibrant and strong woman I had known. Even though I had seen her like this already twice since I got the news, it was still as jarring as ever.
"Oh, Jess," I whispered, taking a few shaky steps toward the hospital bed. I stopped beside her, looking down at her sleeping body. It was funny; even in this state, she looked beautiful. She was always beautiful, like a ray of sunshine peeking through on a cloudy day.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. This was it. I couldn't afford to hesitate any longer. I had to go through with the Claiming ceremony.
I lit a candle on the bedside table, its flickering flcasting dancing shadows on the walls. With trembling hands, I reached out and took Jessica's limp hand in mine. I closed my eyes, focusing all my energy on the task at hand.
The room seemed to fade away, and I could feel the power of the Claiming surge through me.
But it wasn't as easy as I had hoped. Each tI tried to pour my energy into Jessica, I felt a wave of weakness wash over me, and I stumbled back, gasping for breath. It was like trying to fill a bottomless pit, and I couldn't help but wonder if I was in over my head.
I wiped the sweat from my brow and took a deep breath, forcing myself to try again. The room grew hazy as I concentrated, my world narrowing down to Jessica and the candle's flame. I poured every ounce of my strength into the Claiming, determined not to give up.
But the sweakness hit me, and I fell to my knees beside Jessica's bed, panting heavily. Tears welled up in my eyes, frustration and fear gnawing at me.
I had to succeed; Jessica's life depended on it.
After what felt like an eternity, I summoned the last reserves of my energy and tried one more time. I could feel the power surging through me, a fiery current that threatened to consme. It was now or never.
"Con, Jessica," I murmured, scrunching my eyes tighter. "Jessica, I Claim you... I Claim you to join the world of shifters..."
Somehow, the energy seemed to surge stronger this time, as though Ο ΓΙ my worry had tapped into a new store of power. I gripped Jessica's hand even tighter, repeating the words like a mantra under my breath. As I completed the ceremony, I sat there for a long time, just holding Jessica's hand. After what felt like an eternity I finally opened my eyes, hoping to see ssign that it had worked.
But Jessica still lay motionless, her breathing steady but shallow, her eyes gently closed. Nothing had changed.
I felt a sense of defeat wash over me, and I couldn't hold back the tears any longer. I had failed. I had failed my friend when she neededthe most.
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I stood, my legs shaky, then kissed Jessica's forehead gently, my voice O trembling as I whispered my I apologies. I'm so sorry, Jessica," I said. "I tried my best, but it wasn't enough this time. I'm so, so sorry.." Jessica remained unconscious, her face serene in repose. I knew I couldn't stay any longer; I had to leave before anyone discoveredin the room.
With a heavy heart, I turned away and walked out of the hospital, feeling like a failure.
The night was still young, and the moon glowed in the distance. I couldn't go back to the house, not yet. I needed tto process what had just happened, to cto terms with my failure.
As I climbed back into the truck and began to drive nowhere in particular, I couldn't shake the feeling of despair that clung to me. I had risked everything to save Jessica, and it had all been in vain. I had let down both my friends and myself.
The tears flowed freely now, and I couldn't stop them. I pulled over to the side of the road and leaned on the steering wheel, my body shaking with sobs.
It was going to be a long, lonely night ahead, and I had no idea what the future held.
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