Sara was rushed to the emergency room. A nurse was quickly called. Maera was already at the hospital with Sim for Sim's check-up when a breathless nurse ran up to the doctor.
"Madam, we have a suicide case. The patient's name is Sara, and she's lost a lot of blood. Her blood type is O-positive, but the problem is—we don't have any O-positive in the blood bank right now."
Hearing Sara's name, Maera froze. But quickly composing herself, she said, "Maybe I can help. My blood type is also O-positive."
The doctor's face lit up. "That would be incredibly helpful. We are so grateful. Thank you for coming."
The nurse motioned Maera to follow her.
Just as Maera started walking away, Sim stopped her. "Maera..." she said softly, her eyes filled with concern.
Maera placed a hand on Sim's shoulder. "Relax, Sim. It's okay. If we can help someone, it's the right thing to do. Besides, a little blood won't hurt me. I'll be back—just wait for me here."
Maera left with the nurse.
Meanwhile, Sara's condition was deteriorating. Every passing moment pushed her closer to the edge. Life was slipping from her fingers.
Alexa, Sam, and Zero waited outside—helpless.
Sam sat in silence, eyes red. Zero sat across from him, head down, arms crossed, jaw clenched. Alexa leaned against the wall, trying to stay upright. Tears streamed down her face. She was silent, but her body trembled. Sometimes she cried, then stopped, only to cry again. None of them spoke, but all were thinking the same thing:
What was Sara carrying that she never shared with them? What pain had driven her this far?
After donating blood, as Maera was about to leave, something pulled at her. She turned to the nurse.
"Can I see the patient?"
"Of course, ma'am," the nurse replied and gave her the room number.
Maera walked toward Room 02.
When she stepped inside, she stopped cold. It really was Sara.
The same Sara who once smiled so easily. The girl who wouldn't hurt a soul.
Now she was lying wrapped in bandages, unconscious, a mask strapped to her face, breathing through artificial oxygen.
Maera approached her bed slowly. Standing beside her, she whispered:
"Sara... what happened to you? What made you like this?"
She sighed and tried to smile.
"You always worry me like this."
She reached out, gently brushing Sara's hair. Her touch was feather-light, like holding cotton.
Sara murmured Maera's name in her sleep.
Maera took her hand. Sara went still—like the touch had brought her peace. Maera smiled sadly at her childlike reaction.
Just as Maera turned to leave, the door opened. Sam, Zero, and Alexa entered with the doctor.
They all looked at Maera with questioning eyes. Understanding the silence, the doctor stepped forward.
"This is the girl who donated blood urgently for Sara. If Sara is breathing today—it's because of her."
All three immediately thanked Maera.
"We're her friends from campus," Sam explained.
Alexa remained quiet, her condition worse than before.
Maera turned to the doctor. "Doctor, what exactly happened to her?"
The doctor's tone turned grave. "We found bruises all over her body. Nearly every inch—except her face and hands—had cuts or burn marks. She used a lighter to burn and scratch herself. Before the suicide attempt, she was heavily intoxicated and had a seizure as well. Sara is suffering from extreme emotional trauma. If we don't start psychological treatment soon, there's a risk of another attempt or even a full nervous breakdown."
Maera could barely believe what she was hearing. She looked at the unconscious girl on the bed again.
"This really is the same Sara...?" she thought.
Turning to the others, she said, "I should go now."
As she walked away, Zero called out: "Miss, could you at least tell us your name?"
Maera turned and smiled. "Savior," she said. And left.
—
Maera returned home with Sim, clearly disturbed. She walked straight to the bathroom.
Sim noticed. Maera hadn't spoken the entire ride home, and now she was lost in deep thought.
Maera splashed cold water on her face, trying to quiet the storm inside her.
"Sara... she's in Japan too? In this condition? And I didn't even know?"
Nothing made sense.
When she stepped out, Sim hugged her from behind.
"Mae, you seem really upset. What's going on?"
Maera quickly masked her expression and turned around.
She pulled Sim into a hug.
Their eyes met—and time slowed.
Maera leaned in, but Sim gently placed a hand over her lips.
"No, Mae. I still have to cook dinner. You can eat me later. Right now, eat real food."
She giggled and ran to the kitchen.
Maera, smirking shamelessly, said, "But I only feel full when I have you, Simiii..." and flopped onto the couch. Sim smiled from the kitchen.
—
Three days passed. The doctors had said it might take time for Sara to regain consciousness. She was still in a coma.
Sam and Zero sat on the couch in the hospital room. Alexa was by the bedside, holding Sara's hand.
Morning sunlight poured in through the window. The air carried a strange scent — one that belonged only in rooms where life and death waged silent war.
Alexa looked dazed — sleep-deprived, eyes red from crying, hands trembling. She whispered:
"I didn't even get the chance to tell her... that I love her. And now she's slipping away."
Sam leaned forward.
"We know, Alexa. We've always known. And we're with you — every step. Sara's going to be okay."
Just then, Sara's fingers moved.
She woke up to the faint sound of beeping. The world felt like cotton — numb, muffled, distant. Her wrist ached, her head throbbed, but it wasn't the pain that made her want to scream. It was the fact she was still here.
She opened her eyes slowly. The white ceiling above her was unfamiliar. The hospital lights were too bright, too sterile. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming again — until she turned her head and saw Alexa, sitting by her side.
Eyes swollen, hair messy, hands trembling but still holding hers.
Seeing Sara open her eyes, Alexa looked like life had just returned to her body. Sam and Zero lit up with relief.
"You scared me," Alexa whispered, her voice cracking. "You really scared me this time, Sara..."
Sara tried to speak, but her throat was dry. No words came out.
Only one thought circled in her mind:
"Why didn't you let me go?"
And somewhere, in the distance —
Maera's name flickered again in Sara's mind.
TO BE CONTINUED...