Chapter 31

• As night fell, the dim light of the room cast shadows that danced across the walls. Zander sat on the couch, anxiety gnawing at him as he felt the dampness of the bandage against his skin. The blood had stopped flowing, but the fabric was drenched, and the pressure it applied was uncomfortable. He knew he needed to clean the wound and change the bandage, but the pain was sharp, and he couldn’t manage it alone.
• “Where is Daniel?” he wondered aloud, glancing at the clock. The minutes felt like hours, and a sense of dread began to creep in. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and reached for the first aid box nearby. Inside, he found the scissors, their metallic sheen glinting in the low light.
• With trembling hands, he attempted to cut the bandage, but the pain shot through him like lightning, forcing a hiss from his lips. “Damn it,” he muttered, frustration building. He couldn’t do this alone, and he felt a wave of helplessness wash over him.