"What?"
But although he said that and looked confused, his feet had already started moving.
After walking with Edmund for so long, the instinct came naturally.
Daniel looked at the blood-stained back in front of him. He noticed that Edmund's steps were slightly hurried, making it a little difficult to keep up, but he still managed to match his pace.
What's going on? What's happening? Who could make this stone heart so... so... I don't even know what to say.
Daniel thought to himself.
Anyway, let's just quietly follow.
He noticed they had gotten to the emergency ward section.
Doctors and nurses rushed in and out of the ward, their footsteps hurried and their faces filled with urgency. The sound of medical equipment could be heard from inside, mixed with the occasional call from one of the nurses.
Daniel wanted to ask what was going on, but the thought came as quickly as it left.
He had a more pressing issue to deal with.
The bloody monster walking in front of him.
They entered the emergency ward.
Inside was a complete mess.
Doctors moved from one side of the room to another while nurses hurried around with medical equipment. The atmosphere was tense, and everyone seemed to be working at once.
"Enough."
The single word came out cold and chilling.
Every doctor and nurse froze.
They turned toward the owner of the voice, and the moment they recognized him, their bodies stiffened.
Some lowered their heads immediately.
Others stood completely still.
No one dared to speak.
Edmund turned his head slightly and looked toward Daniel, who stood at the back of the room.
Daniel's gaze, however, was completely focused on the bloodied body lying on the bed.
Feeling the icy gaze directed at him, he immediately understood what Edmund wanted.
He didn't need anyone to tell him what to do.
Daniel quickly went into action.
He hurried into the sterilization area and washed his hands thoroughly, scrubbing between his fingers and beneath his nails before rinsing them. He then disinfected his hands and arms before putting on a fresh medical coat.
Next came his gloves, mask, and other protective equipment.
He checked everything carefully before taking one last look at himself.
Ten minutes later, Daniel returned to the emergency room.
His expression had changed.
The nervous doctor who had followed Edmund moments earlier was gone.
In his place stood Dr. Daniel Hayes—the doctor who had to remain calm no matter what was happening around him.
His eyes immediately fell on the bloody mess on the bed.
He didn't want to say what was on his mind.
But he had to.
"Mr. Devereux, I think it would be better if you wait outsi—"
He didn't get to finish.
His eyes met those icy blue ones.
Daniel's voice immediately changed.
"...or you could go for a disinfectant and come watch the process."
Edmund stared at him for a long moment.
Daniel stood perfectly still.
Finally, Edmund turned and walked out.
Daniel waited until he was completely out of sight before releasing the breath he had been holding.
He looked at the other doctors and immediately gave them a signal.
They followed Edmund out.
The moment the door closed behind them, the doctors and nurses looked like they had just seen their savior.
Some visibly relaxed.
Others exchanged relieved glances.
Daniel shook his head slightly.
These people were supposed to be doctors.
Yet one man walked into the room and suddenly everyone behaved as though their lives depended on it.
Well...
Maybe they did.
Daniel walked toward one of the doctors.
"What happened?"
He had been brought there without any explanation.
Now it was time for him to get some answers.
The doctor he approached was standing quietly in a corner.
He looked to be in his late thirties, with a slim build and slightly tired eyes behind a pair of rectangular glasses. His dark hair was neatly combed, although a few strands had fallen out of place from all the rushing.
His white coat was slightly wrinkled, and a pen was tucked into the breast pocket.
He looked like someone who had spent far too many hours inside the hospital.
The doctor wasn't expecting anyone to speak to him.
So when Daniel stopped in front of him, he looked surprised.
"M... me?"
He pointed at himself, his voice filled with uncertainty.
Daniel frowned.
"Yes, you."
Before the doctor could answer, another doctor nearby stepped forward.
He was a taller man with broad shoulders and a sharp-looking face. His expression carried obvious irritation, and he pushed his glasses higher up the bridge of his nose.
"Of course he means you. Who else would he be talking to?" he said with a scoff. "Are you all so useless that you can't even understand a simple question? No wonder that man almost scared the life out of everyone in here."
He spoke as though he himself hadn't shrieked in fear moments earlier.
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"Enough."
The doctor's mouth immediately shut.
Daniel turned his attention back to the first doctor.
"Now, tell me what happened."
The doctor swallowed nervously.
"Um... the man that just left came rushing in with this girl in his arms."
He pointed toward the girl lying on the bed.
"He demanded that everyone attend to her immediately. He pushed us into the emergency ward and told us that if we couldn't save her..."
The doctor's voice trailed off.
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"What did he say?"
The doctor swallowed again.
"He said that if we couldn't save her, we might as well dig our own graves."
There wasn't a single trace of surprise on Daniel's face.
After all, he wouldn't believe it was Edmund if there wasn't a threat.
"What's her condition status?"
Daniel walked toward the girl, his expression becoming serious as he began examining her.
He checked the monitor first.
Her heartbeat was dangerously weak.
Her breathing was shallow and irregular, and her body was covered with multiple injuries. Some wounds had already been treated, but several were still serious. She had lost a considerable amount of blood, and her body was showing clear signs of severe exhaustion.
Daniel's expression changed.
He reached for her wrist and checked her pulse.
His fingers remained there for a few seconds.
Nothing.
Then—
A faint pulse.
Daniel's eyes widened.
It was weak.
Far too weak.
He checked again, his fingers pressing gently against her wrist.
The pulse was becoming slower.
His calm expression disappeared.
"Damn it."
His eyes immediately moved toward the monitor.
They had waited too long.
Whatever had happened to her before she arrived had already pushed her body to its limit, and the delay had made things even worse.
"She's slipping away."
The words came out quietly, but panic was already creeping into his voice.
"Get the emergency equipment ready!"
The doctors immediately moved.
"Nurse, prepare the necessary medication!"
"Yes, Doctor!"
"Someone monitor her vitals!"
The room erupted into movement once again.
Daniel leaned closer to the girl, his mind racing as he tried to determine what was happening.
"Come on…"
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Don't give up now."
He checked her pulse again.
Even weaker.
His breathing became heavier.
They were running out of time.
Suddenly—
The door opened.
Everyone froze for a split second.
Daniel turned sharply.
Edmund stood at the entrance.
His icy blue eyes immediately landed on the girl lying on the bed.
Then they shifted toward Daniel.
"What happened?"
Daniel swallowed.
For the first time since he had known Edmund, he could see something behind those usually emotionless eyes.
Fear.