paranoianovel Chapter 281: Ch 280: Cannot Save Her - Part 2
Chapter 281: Ch 280: Cannot Save Her - Part 2
Chapter 281: Ch 280: Cannot Save Her - Part 2Ethan didn’t respond. His jaw tightened. His gaze drifted back to the stars. And Zara didn’t press him.
She wasn’t here for his comfort or for validation. She just... needed someone to know.
After a few minutes of silence, she nodded to herself and stepped back from the railing.
"I’ll head inside."
Ethan didn’t stop her. He remained where he was, eyes still
"You’re awake. How do you feel?"
Zara said, but her voice was flat, tired.
Selene opened her mouth, tried to answer. Nothing but a soft rasp escaped.
She shook her head and lifted her hand weakly to gesture at Zara, then pointed to her own chest.
Something was wrong.
She didn’t know how to explain it. She didn’t even understand it fully herself. But it was wrong.
Zara stepped closer, frowning.
"What is it? You okay? What’s going on?"
Selene tried again to speak, her voice nothing more than a whisper.
"Something’s... wrong... with me."
Zara’s brows pulled together in concern.
"What do you mean?"
Before Selene could answer, a cold whisper curled inside her head.
[She’s doomed.]
Selene stiffened, eyes widening.
[That girl. That soul. Her end is approaching fast.]
Selene’s breath caught in her throat. The voice—it was back.
The presence she’d been fighting... it hadn’t left. It was just biding its time.
She pushed herself up a little, forcing her gaze to meet Zara’s.
"Don’t go into dungeons anymore. You’ve done enough."
Selene rasped out, her voice shaking.
Zara blinked, caught off guard by the sudden warning.
"What are you talking about?"
"Just... don’t go. Please."
Selene insisted, voice steadier this time, her eyes locked on Zara’s.
Zara tried to laugh it off.
"You’re just tired. You’ve been through a lot, Selene. We all have."
"I’m serious."
There was something about Selene’s expression—so calm, so certain—that made Zara stop pretending.
Her breath stilled. She walked to the edge of the bed and looked down at her.
"...You’re talking about as if I am going to die? What? Did you realize something?"
Selene didn’t answer.
Zara looked away, gave a soft exhale.
"It’s fine. I already know."
Selene frowned, confused.
"Madam Verta. She told me earlier. Said my end is near. Guess I should be surprised you’re saying the same thing, but..."
Zara said.
She trailed off, then gave Selene a faint, tired smile.
"...I’m not afraid of it."
Selene stared at her, unable to find words. That dark aura still clung to Zara’s figure, like the shadow of a clock ticking down.
"You should be."
Selene whispered.
Zara shook her head.
"If it’s coming, it’s coming. I’ve survived worse odds than fate. Besides, I’m still alive. That’s already a miracle."
She forced a small chuckle.
Selene wanted to argue. She wanted to scream and cry and make Zara take her seriously. But her body was too tired. Her voice too weak.
So she just watched as Zara turned to leave, her figure framed by the hallway light—shadow and all.
And the voice in Selene’s head whispered again:
[You can’t save her alone.]