Chapter 1118: Hannah's Help
Hannah was speechless at Theodore's words. He ceased his joking and concentrated on the bullet. The tension was palpable. Hannah hadn't wanted to watch, but despite her inability to feel the pain beforehand, the sight of the bloody wound terrified her. She was, after all, only human. Theodore, however, asked her to hold Oscar's arm, fearing Oscar might move. This required her constant attention, and she didn't avert her gaze throughout the procedure.
Theodore pried Oscar's flesh open, revealing the bullet embedded deep within his arm. Oscar winced in agony, involuntarily clenching his fists, his veins bulging.
"Hannah, don't let him move," Theodore instructed.
"Mhm," Hannah responded, hugging Oscar's arm tightly with both hands, moving closer. Oscar felt her warmth and scent, a surge of emotion overwhelming him. Yet, he dared not move, not just because of the bullet removal, but also because he feared any reaction might cause Hannah to leave. He endured the pain, suppressing his turmoil.
Finally, Theodore extracted the bullet, breathing a sigh of relief. Hannah mirrored his relief, a shared sense of accomplishment unrelated to Oscar's suffering. Theodore then disinfected and stitched the wound. Oscar remained silent throughout. Hannah stayed close, her hands firmly on his arm.
"I have good skills, don't I?" Theodore asked Hannah, his confidence jarring against Oscar's near-faint from pain.
"I trained for it," Theodore explained casually. "Oscar often gets injured, so I've had plenty of practice." His intention was clear to Hannah: to garner sympathy for Oscar. But she wouldn't be swayed.
"No response?" Theodore asked, glancing at her. Remembering Oscar's years of hurting Hannah and her aloofness, Theodore felt a surge of frustration. While sewing, he accidentally pulled the thread too tight.
"Mm," Oscar groaned softly, not from a sudden pain, but the ever-present, numbing ache. The sound was merely to remind Theodore to focus. His previous silence wasn't from lack of pain or indifference; it was for Hannah's sake, to spare her his vulnerability.
"Sorry, sorry," Theodore quickly apologized, repositioning the needle.
Hannah was horrified by Oscar's reaction, realizing how difficult his survival had been with Theodore around. Unable to bear it any longer, she turned away.
Theodore, seeing this, smiled triumphantly. She feels sorry for Oscar anyway, he thought, believing reconciliation was still possible if their issues could be resolved.
Oscar, overwhelmed by pain, didn't want to see Theodore's teasing. Theodore quickly finished bandaging his arm.
"Is everything okay now?" he asked.
"You can support him like this too. He'll be more comfortable," Theodore suggested, smiling. Hannah released Oscar's arm, leaving him with a sudden, empty feeling and a sense of loss.
Hannah returned to her seat, gazing at the night sky. Since regaining her memory, her longing for Northfield had intensified. She calmed herself, leaning back in the chair, ready to sleep.
But then, loud snoring erupted. She turned to see Oscar and Theodore, a deafening duet. She barely remembered Oscar snoring, yet here they were. She knew they were exhausted; they hadn't rested since arriving in Jolencami. Now, finally at peace, they slept soundly. Oscar's injury further weakened him. The snoring, however, prevented Hannah from sleeping.
Hannah called for a staff member, "Help them cover the blankets, please." They were slumped in their chairs, vulnerable to catching a cold.
"Yes," the staff member replied.
Blankets were soon provided. Theodore mumbled incoherently as he was covered. The staff then approached Oscar, gently laying the blanket over him. Oscar abruptly awoke, his hostility evident. He grabbed the staff member's arm, strangling him. The staff member, terrified, pale, and unable to speak, could only stare in fear.
Oscar's strength was growing, his grip tightening.
"Oscar!" Hannah cried, rushing to pry his hand open. He was clearly acting instinctively, defensively. Hannah had experienced this before. She'd assumed his elevated status would lessen his alertness, but he was even more terrifying.