Page 32

I feel numb as I look at Alex. Everything—every shared moment and painful memory since we took her, flashes in my mind.

We remove the gas masks and sit in silence for what feels like hours; the ammonia-smell still lingering in the air.

Fintan scoots next to her, leaning his back against the wall before he rests his head on Alex’s shoulder as he looks at me.

As my eyes meet his, I realize he hasn’t said anything about my confession.

I move closer to face him and take his hand again. His grip instantly tightens around mine, grounding me in this moment of despair. His touch is both a comfort and a reminder of our impending fate.

“Kai…” he whispers, bowing his head before stealing another glance at me from underneath his white hair.

"I love you too."

I don’t know whether to hate Alex or love her for breaking down our barriers. Guilt weighs heavily on my chest as I lean against her.

Suddenly, she twitches and my heart hammers as I jump to my feet. Kieran follows suit and we share a look of confusion and concern as we watch her.

She inhales a deep breath, but she remains unconscious. “Oh, thank fucking God!” Kieran breathes as he places a hand on his bare chest.

“Was the gas the antidote?” I think aloud, not daring to take my eyes off her.

“She planned this. She wanted us to say the words,” Kieran says with a hint of anger, and I feel relief wash over me as I step closer and grab the back of his neck, pulling him toward me until his lips meet mine.

He is tense at first but within seconds our kiss becomes desperate and urgent.

I pull away, my chest heaving. Kieran’s eyes are dark with emotion as he looks at me, his hand brushing against my cheek. We stand there for a moment, our breaths mingling in the tense air between us.

“She should wake up soon,” I say. Kieran lets out a shaky breath and nods in agreement. “Should we move her?” he asks.

“I’ll grab the pillows; you take her to your spot,” I rush out as we both feel relieved and concerned.

Alex gave us blankets and pillows a few days ago. We carefully place her down and I hurry to my spot to grab my pillows as well, making her as comfortable as we can in this shitty basement.

As we settle in around her, the atmosphere is thick with unspoken words and tangled emotions.

The dim blue light overhead illuminates Alex’s beautiful face.

She looks peaceful and so innocent. It’s hard to believe that less than an hour ago she had been orchestrating a revelation of our deepest feelings.

I steal glances at Kieran, his features softened by the dim light, his eyes mirroring the turmoil within me. We sit in silence, the weight of what just transpired hanging heavily between us.

The air crackles with a strange mix of tension and intimacy, as if a veil has been lifted, revealing parts of ourselves we had kept buried for so long.

I reach out tentatively, brushing my fingers against Kieran’s hand. He looks at me, his eyes search mine and without a word, he entwines his fingers with mine as we wait for Alex to wake.

Alex’s actions have opened a door that can never be closed again. Our hearts are laid bare, and we can never go back to how things were.