The monitor's beeping quickened, steady but strong. The doctor's eyes sharpened.
"His body is reacting… he's trying to come back," he said, almost to himself.
Luna, who had been half-asleep in the chair, jolted up, her heart racing. She rushed to Nick's side, clutching his hand with trembling fingers. "Nick? Can you hear me? Please, it's me… Luna."
Nick's eyelids fluttered—just once, weakly—but then stilled again.
Her tears streamed faster. "Don't play with me like this, Nick. You've always been silent, but this silence is killing me. Please… fight your way back. If not for yourself, then for me."
The doctor raised a hand gently. "Careful. His brain is still fragile. Too much pressure could push him into shock."
Alex placed a hand on Luna's shoulder. "He's trying. Just give him time." His voice was calm, but his eyes betrayed his worry.
Minutes passed in tense silence, the only sound being the rhythmic beep… beep… beep of the monitor.
Then—Nick's fingers curled slightly around Luna's hand.
Her breath caught. "Alex… he held me! Did you see?"
Alex nodded, stunned. "Yeah. He's there. Somewhere inside, he's fighting."
The doctor exhaled deeply. "This is good. But it's only the beginning. Sometimes, patients linger like this for days before fully regaining consciousness. For now, one of you must always stay here. Talk to him. Remind him of what he loves. It may help bring him back faster."
Luna wiped her tears, determination burning through her exhaustion. "I'll stay. I'll talk to him until he opens his eyes again."
Alex sighed, knowing he couldn't argue with her resolve. "Then I'll stay too. You're not doing this alone."
The doctor gave a small approving nod. "Very well. But remember—he's on the edge. A single push—towards hope or despair—could decide everything."
As night deepened, Luna leaned close to Nick, whispering softly about their silly moments together, their fights, their shared secrets. Alex sat silently beside her, watching the girl he loved pour her heart into another man's silence.
And somewhere, deep within the darkness of Nick's unconscious mind, a flicker of light stirred.