He didn't answer. He settled for a brief, mysterious look.
Sera turned, opened the car door, and sat behind the steering wheel. She closed the door, inserted the key, and turned it. The engine roared, a sharp sound piercing the silence. Aiden slid into the passenger seat, slow and exhausted, closing the door with difficulty.
He looked at her with semi-conscious eyes, his head tilted slightly, his features pale. Inside, he wondered in a voice no one could hear: "How did I let her… get closer than she should?"
His eyes began to grow heavy. His eyelids dropped slowly—a weak resistance.
"Aiden… try to stay awake," Sera said, watching him from the corner of her eye, her hands tightened on the steering wheel.
He didn't answer immediately. His breathing was irregular. She pressed her foot on the gas, and the car sped off, cutting through the road while the city passed around them like fleeting shadows… Every meter they traveled led them closer to the truth… and further from safety.
While Sera was focused on the road, her grip tight on the wheel and the engine's hum filling the void, Aiden suddenly jolted. He snapped his eyes open, his breathing ragged, and said in a low but firm voice:
"Stop the car."
Sera froze for a split second, then turned to him in shock. "What?"
He gripped the seat, his tone rising—harsh and strained. "I said stop it. Stop the car now!"
Panicked, her hands trembled as she steered the car to the shoulder. The tires made a faint screeching sound before the vehicle finally ground to a halt. She turned to him, anxiety flooding her eyes. "What happened? What's wrong?"
He looked at her… but the words failed him. His silence was worse than any answer.
She took a step forward with words instead, her voice laced with doubt and suppressed anger. "You don't want to go to the hospital… why?" Then she asked directly, without hesitation: "Are you a criminal?"
He furrowed his brows, his voice sharp. "Sera, enough of this delusion."
She gave a short, nervous laugh. "Delusion?" She pointed her hand at him. "Have you looked at yourself? Don't you see your condition? You're bleeding, you're about to lose consciousness, and yet you act like nothing is happening!"
She threw the car door open and stepped out. She stood in the cold air, her chest heaving. Aiden followed her, his steps heavy, his voice finally exploding:
"Did I force you to come? Did I force you into my house? I didn't force you to do anything, and I don't owe you any explanations!"
Sera looked at him for a moment… then she smiled. A smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Right," she said with a painful calm.
She stepped closer and held out the key. "I was wrong from the start."
She pressed the key into his hand with a light force and added, her voice steady despite the internal tremor: "Why would I risk my life for someone like you?"
She turned back toward the car. "This is your car. And these are your keys."
She looked at him one last time: "And if you want… die alone."