Chapter 235 A Valley

Chapter 235: Chapter 235 A Valley

The sound of the door opening made Ronan lift his head. He had been staring at the blanket for so long that his eyes were beginning to ache, but he could not bring himself to sleep. Every time he closed them, he saw the young woman falling over him, her frightened face disappearing beneath the shadow of the monster.

When he recognized the woman standing in the doorway, his eyes widened.

"Camile?"

Camile paused, taking in his pale face and the bandages beneath his hospital gown. For a moment, neither spoke. Ronan looked so different from the confident man who used to follow her around, offering money and promises she had never intended to repay. His cheeks were hollow, his lips dry, and there was a frightened uncertainty in his eyes that made him appear much older.

Good heavens, what happened to him? He looks like a beggar.

She quickly suppressed her disgust and hurried towards the bed, allowing relief to brighten her expression.

"Ronan! Thank goodness you’re awake," Camile exclaimed, reaching for his hand. "I’ve been so worried. When they brought you in, you were covered in blood, and the doctors weren’t sure whether you’d survive."

Ronan looked down at their joined hands. Once, he would have been delighted by such affection. He had spent so much time trying to win Camile’s attention that even the smallest kindness from her had felt like a reward. Now, however, the warmth of her fingers only reminded him how cold the girl’s hand had become before he lost consciousness.

"You saved me?" Ronan asked quietly, lifting his eyes towards her.

Camile nodded, her expression turning sorrowful. "Someone told me you were outside the gate. The monsters had already moved away, so I immediately ordered the soldiers to search for you. Ronan, if I’d known sooner, I would never have allowed you to remain out there."

Ronan’s lips trembled. He remembered shouting her name until his throat burned while the soldiers refused to open the gate. He had wondered whether she was inside, whether she could hear him and had chosen not to answer.

Hearing her explanation eased some of that terrible uncertainty.

"Thank you, Camile," he whispered. "I really thought I was going to die."

Camile squeezed his hand, but when she noticed his eyes becoming wet, she felt a flicker of impatience.

Don’t start crying now. I haven’t even asked you anything.

She forced herself to lean closer instead.

"You’re alive now, and that’s what matters," Camile assured him. "You should concentrate on recovering."

Ronan nodded, then glanced towards the door. "The doctor said nobody else survived. Don was with us, and there was a girl who kept helping me even though she didn’t have to. Did your soldiers really find no one else?"

The hope in his voice made Camile uncomfortable. She had already received the report, and there was nothing useful to be gained from discussing the dead.

"I’m sorry, Ronan," she replied, lowering her gaze. "The soldiers searched after the monsters left, but you were the only one still breathing."

Ronan withdrew his hand to cover his face. His shoulders shook, although he tried desperately to control himself.

She didn’t even know me that well. Why did she do it? Why didn’t she run when she had the chance?

He remembered how often she had took care of him, even helping him stand and walk. He had never properly thanked her. For the first time, his heart bled with pain... the guilt and the regret eating him inside out.

Camile watched his reaction, uncertain whether to comfort him or wait until he composed himself. Eventually, she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Don’t blame yourself," she said gently. "You couldn’t have saved everyone."

Ronan lowered his hands. His eyes were red, and the sight of Camile sitting beside him made him suddenly conscious of how pathetic he must appear.

"I’m sorry," he murmured, wiping his cheeks. "I didn’t mean to behave like this in front of you."

Camile offered a forgiving smile. "You’ve been through something terrible. There’s nothing to apologize for."

At least he still cares what I think of him, she thought, feeling somewhat reassured.

She waited until his breathing steadied before speaking again.

"Ronan, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you," Camile began, her expression becoming troubled. "Have you heard anything about Laurel or the rest of the Wayne family?"

Ronan blinked, surprised by the question. "Laurel?" he repeated.

Camile lowered her eyes, allowing her voice to tremble. "I know we had our disagreements before the apocalypse, but she’s still my sister. Sometimes I lie awake wondering whether she’s alive. And Alexander, Grandpa Wayne, the others... I haven’t heard anything about them."

Ronan studied her face. He remembered the unpleasant scene at the Wayne mansion and how bitterly Camile had spoken about Laurel afterwards. Yet the apocalypse had changed so many things. Perhaps it had changed her feelings too.

"I haven’t seen them since we separated," Ronan admitted. "They decided to move somewhere remote before everything happened. I thought Alexander had lost his mind."

Camile leaned forward slightly. "But you know where they went, don’t you?"

Ronan opened his mouth, then hesitated. He remembered the family discussing their relocation, and he was certain Alexander had mentioned the destination. Unfortunately, the name would not come to him. His head had been aching since he woke, and concentrating only made the pain worse.

"I can’t remember the exact place," he answered apologetically. "There was a valley, I think. I wasn’t interested in going with them, so I didn’t pay much attention."

Camile’s fingers tightened around the edge of her skirt. A valley? There must be hundreds of valleys!

She had expected Ronan to give her a location, perhaps even directions. Instead, he was offering the sort of vague information anyone could have guessed.

"Try to remember, Ronan," Camile urged, maintaining her gentle tone. "It might be important. If Laurel is still alive, I want to find her before something terrible happens."

Ronan rubbed his forehead, increasingly embarrassed by his inability to help her.

"I’ll try," he promised. "Everything’s still confused in my head. Maybe after I’ve rested..."

"Ronan," Camile interrupted softly, "did the doctor explain your condition?"

He stopped rubbing his forehead. "He said my wounds were healed by some miracle drug, but they’re still observing me because I was bitten," Ronan answered. His expression became anxious as he remembered the doctor’s hesitation. "Do you think I could still become infected?"

Camile studied him carefully. So they haven’t told him anything definite. That makes things easier. She thought inwardly as she took his hand again, this time with a seriousness that made his stomach tighten.