The words wouldn’t come. But his expression said everything.
I would never hurt you. Never.
“I know you wouldn’t. Not on purpose.” I cupped his face. “But the PSI-317 overdose is destroying your brain tissue. You might not recognize me. Might think I’m a threat. I need to be prepared for that possibility.”
His jaw clenched. Terror flickered across his features.
“We’ll figure it out. We have two weeks. Maybe three. And I’m going to keep you alive for every single day of it.”
Xavier leaned forward. Pressed his forehead to mine. Breathed.
Just breathed.
I closed my lids. Felt his pulse against my palms. Felt the cold air biting my cheeks. Felt the weight of two weeks pressing down.
We stayed like that. Connected. Grounded.
I was about to suggest going back inside when Xavier jerked.
His whole body went rigid. Pupils rolled back.
“Xavier?”
He convulsed. Violent. His arms flew out, nearly hitting me. I stumbled back, knee screaming protest.
“HAVOC!” My voice carried across the frozen yard. “HELLHOUND!”
Xavier hit the ground. His back arched. Limbs thrashing. Head slamming against frozen earth.
Tonic-clonic seizure.
I dropped beside him. Rolled him onto his side. Protected his skull with my palms while his body seized.
Time the episode. Protect the airway. Don’t restrain.
My nurse training kicked in automatic, but my fingers were shaking.
Thirty seconds. Forty-five. A minute.
The convulsions started to slow. His muscles relaxing incrementally.
Havoc appeared. Dropped to his knees across from me. “How long?”
“Ninety seconds. Maybe more.” I kept my hand on Xavier’s skull. “First one I’ve witnessed.”
“It won’t be the last.” Hellhound’s voice came from behind us. Calm. Steady. “The overdose is accelerating.”
Xavier’s lids fluttered. Unfocused. Confused.
Post-ictal state. Normal after seizures. Disorientation, memory loss, exhaustion.
“Xavier.” I kept my voice soft. “Can you hear me?”
He found me. Struggled to focus.
Then drifted away again. Searching the space around us like he didn’t recognize where he was.
“It’s okay. You’re safe. You had a seizure, but you’re safe now.”
