"Miss, we're here. You can let go now," the firefighter's calm voice whispered near my ear, startling me from my swirling thoughts.
My fingers unclenched from his suit, numb and trembling. As I stepped off the rescue crane, my knees buckled slightly—I nearly stumbled, unbalanced from the cold and exhaustion. The ground felt foreign beneath my feet after being suspended for so long. Every part of me was soaked from head to toe, and the rain still poured like it hadn't yet made its point.
"Mia!"
A familiar voice cut through the storm.
I turned toward it, blinking through the downpour.
It was Martin.
Soaked to the bone, his coat clinging to him, his expression a mix of fury, fear, and overwhelming relief. Behind him stood Mikael and Matteo, partially shielded by a shared umbrella, their eyes wide with concern.
"Eldest brother…" My voice came out cracked and weak, barely louder than a whisper.
Without warning, Martin stepped forward and pulled me into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped around me protectively, grounding me in a way nothing else could in that moment.
"I was so worried," he said, his voice hoarse from the cold or perhaps from emotion.
"I—"
"Please, Mia. Don't ever do this again. I thought I was going to lose you again…"
Again? He must be talking about the car accident.
A lump formed in my throat. "I... I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice trembling like the rest of me.
He pulled back slightly, just enough to look me in the eye. Then he took my hand firmly. "Let's go."
"W–Where?" I asked, confused and still dazed from everything. But he didn't answer.
I glanced back over my shoulder, searching for Caspian, Alex, and Lucas—but the others hadn't been brought down yet. Mikael and Matteo quietly followed behind us, half-drenched themselves. No one said a word.
When we reached the ambulance, Martin stopped and turned to the paramedics.
"She looks unwell. Please check on her," he said firmly.
"Of course, sir. Miss, please come this way. You're soaked through," one of the medics said gently, guiding me toward the open ambulance doors.
"I'm a doctor," Matteo added from behind, stepping in with authority. "I'll help. Get her a blanket first."
"W–wait!" I tried to protest, pulling against their guidance. "The others...they're still up there. I didn't see them come down yet!"
"You need to warm up and stay still," Matteo said, cutting through my panic with quiet resolve. "I'll check you first. Then we'll worry about the rest."
I felt the blanket being wrapped around me before the cold stethoscope touched my skin. But even then, even with the warmth pressing in, my eyes kept drifting to the sky—searching, waiting for the silhouettes of the boys I left behind.
***
In the end, they completely ignored my pleas to wait for Lucas, Alex, and Caspian.
"I want to see them get down safely—please, just a little longer," I begged, weakly trying to sit up inside the ambulance. But no one listened.
Martin gave a stern nod to the medic. "Take her to the hospital. Now."
"But—"
"You already have a fever," Matteo cut in firmly. "Your body's too weak. Your immune system can't take this kind of shock and cold exposure. You're burning up, Mia."
My protest died in my throat.
I hadn't even noticed it before—the aching in my limbs, the way my vision blurred slightly, or how my teeth had begun to chatter uncontrollably. All I could think about was the gondola, the rain, and the three figures still stuck up there. But now, even my eyelids felt too heavy.
The medic helped lay me down, tucking the blanket tighter around me while another started checking my vitals.
Outside, I could still hear the wind, the thunder, the shouts of the rescue crew.
My eyes flickered open one last time, scanning the blurry outlines inside and outside through the foggy ambulance window.
"I just… wanted to see them…" I whispered.
Then everything faded into black.
***
"What happened to her?" Dr. Leon asked, pressing his stethoscope against Mia's chest.
"She was stuck inside the Ferris wheel during the storm," someone explained quickly.
"She's burning up," another voice added.
"Got soaked in the rain," Matteo said, frowning as he observed her condition.
"Nurse, help change her clothes and start an IV infusion," Leon instructed calmly. Then he glanced at someone nearby. "You—come with me." Without waiting, he stepped outside the curtained space.
***
I stirred faintly at the sound of voices. Everything felt sluggish, like I was moving through water. My body was heavy, and my head throbbed with heat.
"Where… am I?" I croaked.
"You're in the emergency room at Lumora Hospital," a nurse answered gently. "You have a fever. Likely from the cold and rain. Just rest for now—we'll help change your wet clothes—"
"No," I interrupted, clutching the blanket tighter. "I can manage. Just leave the clothes here."
She paused, uncertain. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," I insisted quietly.
The nurse exchanged a quick look with her colleague, then nodded. "Alright. Call us if you need anything." With that, the two of them stepped outside the curtain.
As soon as I was alone, I looked around for my phone. Nothing. Then it hit me—everything was still in my sling bag: my phone, my wallet, the plush toy Caspian won for me. I'd left it on the gondola seat.
Ignoring my pounding head, I sat up slowly. My clothes were still damp and my body weak, but I couldn't rest. Not until I knew the others were safe.
Peeking outside, I spotted Matteo and Dr. Leon in the distance, deep in conversation. I quietly slipped out and took the opposite route, careful not to be noticed.
Eventually, I reached the waiting area. It was dim and quiet. A TV mounted high on the wall played the news.
"Fifteen individuals were rescued after being trapped on a Ferris wheel for nearly two hours during a storm. The incident was reportedly caused by an electrical malfunction. All passengers have been transported to nearby hospitals."
I stared at the screen, searching for familiar faces. But the footage only showed the Ferris wheel from a distance. I felt helpless. My phone was gone. I didn't know any of their numbers by heart. Should I go back and ask my brothers? But if I did… they'd definitely scold me. Maybe even forbid me from seeing them again.
I'm not ready for that.
I sat down on one of the benches, wrapping my arms around myself. My fever was still burning, and I felt cold deep in my bones.
For now… I'll wait. Just a little longer. Until I know they're okay.
***
"Where are Martin and Mikael?" Leon asked as he rejoined Matteo.
"They went to file a police report. They'll be back soon."
"What exactly happened? How did she end up on that ride in the middle of a storm?"
"She went out without telling anyone," Matteo said, rubbing his temples. "Thankfully, Martin got suspicious and asked someone to follow her."
"With who?"
"She was with three people. One of them was Alex. I don't know who the other two were yet."
Leon let out a breath, half amused. "She surprises me every time. I might fall for her someday."
"Don't even joke about that," Matteo warned, giving him a sharp glare.
"Relax," Leon chuckled. "You do know her immune system is weaker than normal, right?"
"I know."
"It's gotten worse."
"You mean… the poison?" Matteo asked quietly.
Leon nodded. "Do you regret it?"
Matteo's jaw tightened. "A little. But it's in the past. I can't undo it."
"Then make sure she's well cared for. The aftereffects might not be fatal, but they'll linger. And remember—she was born premature. That alone makes her more vulnerable."
"I understand. I won't let anything happen to her."
Before Leon could reply, someone called out.
"Second brother!"
They turned. Mike was jogging toward them, breathing hard.
"How's Mia?"
"She's okay," Leon replied. "Just a fever. She'll recover after some rest and medication."
"Where are eldest and third brothers?"
"Still with the police. Making sure this wasn't sabotage."
"Can I see her?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, she should be finished changing. This way." Leon led them toward the curtained bed.
"Mia? You done?"
No answer.
Leon exchanged glances with Mike and Matteo, then pulled the curtain aside.
Empty.
"Mia? Where is she?" Mike called out in shock.
"She was just here…" Leon murmured, turning to ask the nurse.
Matteo exhaled slowly and let out a dry laugh. "She ran off. Again. Classic Mia."
His voice held humor, but his eyes didn't match the smile.