Chapter 100

Darren awoke with a start, his heart racing as his mind immediately gravitated towards Lucy. Without wasting a single moment, he hastily threw off the covers and bounded out of bed, the urgency in his movements betraying his anxiety. He rushed down the hallway, his footsteps echoing through the quiet of the night, each beat of his heart echoing in his ears.

As he reached Lucy's room, he paused briefly outside the closed door, gathering his thoughts and summoning the courage to face whatever lay inside. With a deep breath, he pushed open the door and stepped into the room. The dim light cast by the bedside lamp revealed the scene before him, and his heart sank.

There she lay, still and motionless on the bed, her eyes closed as if trapped in an eternal slumber. Her peaceful expression, while serene, only served to deepen his concern. He approached the bed cautiously, his hands trembling slightly as he reached out to brush a strand of hair away from her face.

"Maddie," he called softly,