Chapter 156: I want to go back

Nearby, Layla had been watching the scene unfold. She stepped forward, her presence startling both Arielle and Kyler. Layla's expression was a mix of empathy and determination. "Your team members are alive," she said, her voice firm yet gentle. She reached into her pocket and handed a piece of paper to Kyler. "This is the location." Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, her form blending into the darkness before Kyler could thank her.

Kyler looked at the paper, then at Arielle. "Arielle..."

But Arielle cut him off, her voice a whisper of defeat. "I want to go back, Kyler."

Kyler nodded, understanding her need to escape, to find some semblance of safety and normalcy. "I’ll take you back."

Just then, the rest of their team... Marcus, Noah, Henry, Cillian, and Isabelle.. They arrived, their faces etched with concern.

"Are you okay, Arielle?" Isabelle asked, her eyes scanning Arielle’s face for signs of distress.

"Yeah," Arielle replied, though her voice lacked conviction.

Kyler handed the location paper to Noah. "This is the location of Nikolas and the others. Find them and bring them back."

Noah took the paper, his expression serious. "Where are you going?"

"Back to Devil City," Kyler replied.

Arielle’s voice was barely a whisper. "I want to go home, Kyler."

Kyler understood her meaning, nodding in silent agreement.

Noah looked at them, there was protectiveness and determination in his eyes. "We’ll find them."

Isabelle stepped forward. "Let me come with you."

Cillian held Isabelle's hand, shaking his head. Isabelle glared at him, her eyes flashing with anger.

Henry took Isabelle's other hand, his voice calm and soothing. "We will find him, don’t worry."

Kyler nodded at them, a silent thanks, and began to walk away with Arielle. As soon as they reached their car, Arielle’s body went limp, and she fainted.

"Arielle!" Kyler exclaimed, quickly catching her before she could fall. Panic surged through him as he gently laid her down and rushed to get a water bottle from the car. He sprinkled some drops on her face, but she didn’t respond.

He quickly made her sit in the car and put her seatbelt on. Heart pounding, he drove to the nearest hospital, his mind racing with worry and fear for her well-being.

Meanwhile, in the forest, tensions were running high. Isabelle, unable to contain her frustration any longer, punched Cillian in the face.

"Behave, princess," Cillian growled, rubbing his jaw.

Isabelle pointed a finger at him, her eyes blazing with fury. "I should behave? You tell me what the hell was that! Arielle needed me!"

Cillian stood his ground, his voice low and firm. "She needs Kyler, not you, princess."

Isabelle fumed with anger, her fists clenching at her sides. "But it’s about Ryle."

Marcus stepped in, his tone conciliatory. "Belle, they’re a couple. They need to face the situation together."

Isabelle’s eyes filled with tears of frustration. "But she needs someone to talk to."

Cillian’s voice softened, though it retained its edge. "If you were in her situation, would you rather talk to Marcus or me?"

Isabelle’s anger flared again. "You and I are not a couple, Cillian."

Henry intervened, his voice steady and authoritative. "Enough. This isn’t helping. We need to focus on finding Nikolas and the others. Arielle will be fine with Kyler. We have a mission to complete."

Back in the car, Kyler drove with white-knuckled intensity, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Arielle was slumped in the passenger seat, her face pale and drawn. He glanced at her frequently, his heart aching at the sight of her so vulnerable.

They arrived at the hospital, and Kyler quickly carried Arielle inside. The medical staff sprang into action, and soon Arielle was being examined by a doctor. Kyler paced the waiting room, his mind racing with worry.

After what felt like an eternity, the doctor came out, his expression serious. "She’s stable, but she’s exhausted and dehydrated. She needs rest and fluids. We’ll keep her here overnight for observation."

Kyler nodded, relief flooding through him. "Thank you, doctor."

He went to Arielle’s room, pulling up a chair beside her bed. She looked so small and fragile, lying there with an IV drip in her arm. He took her hand in his, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles. "I’m here, Arielle," he whispered. "I’m not going anywhere."

The hours passed slowly, the hospital’s quiet broken only by the occasional beep of machines and the soft murmur of nurses. Kyler stayed by Arielle’s side, his presence a constant reassurance.

Meanwhile, in the forest, the team was making their way to the location Layla had given them. The air was thick with tension, each of them keenly aware of the potential dangers ahead. Marcus led the way, his senses alert, while Noah, Henry, Cillian, and Isabelle followed close behind.