Chapter 116 "In The Shadow Of Desperation

• Desperate, I said, "Don't you dare leave me now, Max," my palm tightly gripping his, causing me to panic. I could shatter it. His pulse slowed by the second, his skin was cool, and I could hear his laboured, shallow, as though every breath was a fight. The world around us was a jumble of darkness, far-off footfall, and my heart shrieking in my ears.
• "I'm not... leaving...." Max mumbled, his voice strained, but there was something in his speech—something ferocious—that told me he wasn't going to submit—at least not without a struggle. But I could feel the battle depleting him with every second that passed as the blood kept pouring from his wound.
• Though I could not afford to squander time, I wanted to yell and ask him to hang on. Still out there was Dante, that demon. He can be anywhere observing and waiting for his chance to attack. If I did nothing or failed to get Max out of here, it would be over for us both.