Chapter 4

As Talak lay on the ground in agony, he began to give up hope. They were going to capture Alliyanna, but he couldn’t stop them. He’d been tortured for three days, and he was past feeling pain, but he couldn’t stand. Hell, he couldn’t move.

Kalen paced anxiously in the dimly lit hospital corridor, his heart racing. He had received a frantic call about his friend, Talak, who had been found injured and unconscious by a passerby. The doctor had mentioned something about how Talak’s survival was close to miraculous given the extent of his injuries, and Kalen feared the worst. After what felt like an eternity, a nurse emerged from a nearby room. Kalen rushed to her, desperation etched on his face. “Excuse me, could you tell me how Talak Longbow is doing?” The nurse paused, her expression softening. “He’s stable now, but he sustained multiple injuries—a concussion, several broken ribs, and some internal bleeding. He was fortunate that the passerby found him in time. The doctor’s performing a few additional tests just to be safe.” Kalen sighed, relief washing over him, but it was quickly overshadowed by concern.

He needed to see Talak. “Can I go in and see him?” “Just a moment, please. Let me check if it’s okay,” she replied and slipped back into the room. While he waited, memories of their adventures together flickered through Kalen’s mind—the laughter, the camaraderie, and the unspoken bond they had built over the years. Talak had always been the brave one, often jumping headfirst into danger. Kalen wished he could have been there to protect him this time. Moments later, the nurse returned. “You can go in for a few minutes but keep your voice down. He’s still quite out of it.” Kalen nodded and quickly stepped into the room. The sight of Talak lying on the hospital bed, bruised and unconscious, made his heartache. He looked so different from the vibrant friend.

Kalen had known—now pale and fragile, connected to machines that beeped softly, monitoring his condition. Kalen approached Talak’s bedside and gently took his hand, which felt cold against his own. “Hey, buddy,” he murmured, fighting back tears. “It’s me, Kalen. You’re going to be okay. I’m here.” After a few moments, Talak stirred slightly, his eyelids fluttering. Kalen’s breath caught in his throat. “Talak? Can you hear me?”

Slowly, Talak’s eyes opened, his gaze unfocused at first, then settling on Kalen. “Kalen?” he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Yeah, it’s me. You’re in the hospital. You’ve been through a lot, but you’re going to be all right,” Kalen reassured him, trying to keep his tone calm. Talak attempted a weak smile, though it quickly faded as he grimaced in pain. “What happened? I remember ... it was dark. I thought ... I thought I wasn’t going to make it.” “You were found just in time,” Kalen explained, his throat tightening. “A passerby saw you and called for help. You’re safe now, I promise.” Just then, the doctor entered the room, clipboard in hand. “Ah, I see you’re awake, Talak. It’s good to hear you’re responsive. We’ll continue to monitor your condition closely, and I’m encouraged by your recovery so far.” Kalen watched as the doctor examined Talak, noting the slight nod of approval. For the first time in what felt like ages, Kalen felt a flicker of hope. Talak was alive, and although the road to recovery would be long, he would be there every step of the way, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the doctor finished his examination and stepped out of the room, Talak turned his gaze back to Kalen. A shadow of guilt crossed his features, and he struggled to prop himself up against the pillows. “Kalen ... I need to talk to you about something important,” he rasped, his voice strained. Kalen leaned closer. “What is it, Talak? You’re still recovering; you don’t need to worry about anything else right now.” “I’m worried about Alliyanna,” Talak admitted, his eyes darting to the window as if he could see the world outside. “I can’t shake the feeling that by giving away that information ... I put her in danger. I shouldn’t have said anything. It was reckless.” Kalen tightened his grip on Talak’s hand, his heart aching for his friend. “Reckless? You were beaten and tortured. If I knew you, you held out as long as you possibly could. That gave me time. Listen to me, Talak. Alliyanna is safe. I promise you. After everything that happened, I made sure she was protected. She’s with people who care about her and who can keep her from harm. In a location that no one will find. I give my word as a member of the Guardian Squadron.” “But ... the Duke—” Talak started, his voice trembling with anxiety. He has threatened to kill her father if she isn’t delivered to him immediately.

I know, but I’m telling you, she has allies now. She’s stronger than you think!” Kalen interrupted gently but firmly. “Whatever you feel about what happened, people are working with her. You need to focus on getting better. Your health comes first.” Talak’s brow furrowed as he absorbed Kalen’s words. “I just ... I feel responsible. I thought I was helping by gathering intel, but I never wanted to put her at risk. This is all my fault.” With a reassuring squeeze of Talak’s hand, Kalen replied, “You did what you thought was right at the time. You were trying to protect Oranth and its people. You couldn’t have known how things would unfold. Blaming yourself won’t change the past.” Tears brimmed in Talak’s eyes. “What if something happens to her because of me? I’d never forgive myself.” “She won’t let anything happen to her—she’s resilient,” Kalen reassured him, his resolve strengthening as he spoke. “You did your best under tough conditions, and now it’s time to focus on healing. Alliyanna needs you to recover, so when you’re back on your feet, you can help her. We can all help her.” Talak took a shaky breath, the weight of remorse still present, but Kalen’s words began to ease the storm of guilt inside him. “You really think she’s going to be, okay?” he asked, desperation mingling with hope in his voice. “I know she will be,” Kalen affirmed. “And when you’re ready, we’ll figure out how to support her together. She can’t do this alone, and neither can we.” Talak nodded slowly, the look of sorrow softening slightly as he felt a flicker of faith in his friend’s words.

The bounty hunters couldn’t stay in one place too long; they had other jobs and needed to earn money. They informed the Duke that they’d lost the trail, and she was most likely off-planet by now. They high-tailed it to the opposite part of the empire and started under new identities. The Duke wasn’t pleased with their performance and refused to pay for any of the costs, but they were alive.

Eventually, it was determined that it was safe to bring Alliyanna out of hiding. She was going to join Kalen in helping Talak recover.

Talak lay in the hospital, the rhythm of beeping machines and the soft footsteps of nurses surrounding him. Every day brought a new challenge, but with each passing moment, he felt stronger. Each time Kalen or Alliyanna visited, they got a sense of hope and camaraderie that made the sterile environment a little more bearable. As Talak began to regain his strength, his doctor introduced him to a physical therapist named Mira, a no-nonsense woman with a gentle demeanor. “We need to get you moving, Talak,” she stated, her voice firm yet encouraging. “Your body has been through a lot, and we need to rebuild your strength and mobility.” Talak nodded, apprehensive yet determined.

The thought of physical therapy intimidated him; the injuries he had sustained left him feeling vulnerable. But the idea of returning to his former self spurred him on. The first session was grueling. Talak struggled to sit up, his ribs aching as Mira guided him through a series of exercises designed to improve his range of motion. “Slow and steady,” she reminded him. “Every small movement counts.” He groaned as he attempted to lift his arm, the pain shooting through him. Kalen stood nearby, offering words of encouragement. “You’ve faced worse,” he said with a smile. “Remember that time you tried to carry me across the river when we were kids? You can handle this.” As the weeks rolled on,

As the days turned into weeks, Talak’s sessions became more challenging. Mira introduced resistance bands and balance exercises. “You need to build core strength; it will help with your stability and endurance,” she explained, her voice steady. Despite the discomfort, Talak found a rhythm. With every workout, he felt a sense of accomplishment, each small victory propelling him forward. Kalen continued to support him—telling stories, sharing updates about Alliyanna, and reminding Talak of the goals ahead. “You’re going to walk into that room and make sure she knows how strong she is,” Kalen would say as Talak completed another set of exercises. “And when you do, she’ll know she’s not alone.” One day, as Talak was using the parallel bars to practice walking, he felt a surge of determination. With a mix of disbelief and exhilaration, he took his first few unsteady steps. Kalen cheered from the sidelines, his voice ringing with pride. “That’s it! Keep going!”