A FAVOR

Tide carried her through the dimly lit hallways, with a careful grip fearing he'd cause more damage. She barely stirred, her body drained.

He took her to his room on the second floor, pushing the door open with his shoulder before stepping inside. The room was dark, save for the faint glow of moonlight slipping through the half-drawn curtains.

Gently, he laid her down on his bed, adjusting her so she wasn’t slumped awkwardly against the pillows. Her breathing was shallow, her eyes half-lidded with exhaustion.

He didn’t say anything as he just turned and walked into the bathroom.

The sound of running water filled the silence as he soaked a small towel piece, squeezing out the excess before heading back to her.

She didn’t react when he pressed the cool, damp cloth to her chin and nose, wiping away the dried blood carefully. She only blinked at him, her gaze unfocused, lips barely parting as she let him do whatever he wanted.

He cleaned her up as best as he could before standing again, disappearing into the bathroom to rinse the towel. He left it there, returning a moment later.

This time, instead of leaving her to rest, he sat beside her.

For a while, there was only silence.

Then, finally, he asked, “Have you talked to Adeline?”

Evangeline let out a dry, breathy chuckle. Shook her head.

“She wouldn’t raise a finger to help,” she murmured, voice hoarse. “She already said that.”

He exhaled sharply, rubbing his palms together as if debating something.

Before he could even suggest what she knew he was thinking, she gave him a sharp look.

“And don’t even think about telling Master,” she warned, shifting slightly on the bed. “You’re gullible. They’d kill me even before they heal me.” she shut her eyes.

He sighed, clenching his jaw, and his fingers twitched like he wanted to say something.

After a moment he quietly excused himself from the room, slipping out without another word. Evangeline didn’t even acknowledge it—her eyes were closed, and her breathing was deep, but she wasn’t asleep.

She was in too much pain for that.

He made his way down the hall, past the other vacant rooms, and entered into an empty bathroom. He shut the door behind him, locking it, then pulled out his phone.

He scrolled through his contacts quickly, pressing the call button the moment he found Adeline’s name.

She answered on the first ring.

The background was loud, the chaotic noise of voices, music, and what sounded like glassware clinking together and people fighting. She was clearly still at the club.

“Heyy, Tide?” she greeted, her voice half-distracted. He could hear her talking to someone else for a second before she focused back on him. “Are you back? Anyway, I’m really busy right now, this place is a human mess. Can you call me back… let’s say in an hour?”

Tide cut her off before she could even finish. “No, I cannot call back because it’s urgent.”

She sighed, and there was a brief shuffle, like she was moving somewhere quieter.

“If this is about Evangeline, then please hang up, or I will.”

His frowned. “She’s your sister!”

“And is that supposed to make me less angry?” Adeline snapped. “She chose this, for whatever reason she refuses to tell anyone. It’s not my business.”

He took a deep breath, trying not to let his frustration get the best of him.

“She’s dying,” he said firmly. “And you’re the only one who can help.”

There was silence on the other end.

For a few seconds, Adeline didn’t say anything.

Then, finally, she scoffed. “She should tell the Masters. They can help.”

Tide let out a bitter, disbelieving laugh.

“That’s you asking me to quicken her death.”

“She’s going to die either way, So why not try her luck” she replied flatly.

"She’s going to die either way?" he repeated in disbelief. "you want me to just throw her to the wolves and hope they decide to be merciful?"

Adeline exhaled loudly, clearly uninterested in the conversation. "Tide, I'm busy—"

"Please." His voice lowered. "Just this once. I'm not asking you to burn down a house, Adeline. I'm asking you to heal her."

Secons of silence between both of them, before tide clenched his free hand into a fist. If she refused, he didn’t know what the hell he was going to do.

She sighed. "I am busy," she said again.

"I will… watch the club until you get back." He leaned against the sink, gripping the edge with one hand, already bracing for her answer.

There was another pause.

Then, finally, she spoke. "You'll do my job, not just watch the club and let the work pile up."

He shut his eyes briefly. This was going to be hell.

"Deal."

"Alright then. See you soon." And the line went dead.

He sighed, dropping his phone onto the counter and staring at his own reflection in the mirror. Then, without wasting another second, he grabbed his phoe, left the bathroom and walked back into the room, finding her exactly where he had left her, looking pale and weak, but still annoyingly composed despite the blood staining the dress. She turned her head toward him as he entered, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion

"Adeline's coming." He said. "She’ll be here soon."

Relief flickered across Evangeline’s face. She reached for his hand, her fingers curling weakly around his wrist, and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it..

"I hope you didn’t offer yourself to her in exchange," she murmured.

His frown deepened.

"You're on your last fucking breath, and all you're thinking about is sex?"

Evangeline’s lips curled into a faint smirk, her grip on his hand loosening slightly. "Forgive me for being curious," she muttered. "Adeline doesn’t do favors for free.".

"You should be worrying about staying alive, not what I had to do to convince your sister," he muttered.

She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment like even keeping them open was exhausting. "Learn how to take a joke will you."