Following more commotion, Holden managed to carry the nearly unconscious Ariana inside.

Gently placing her on the bed, he proceeded to tenderly wipe her face with a warm towel and applied ointment to her injured arm.

After he had finished attending to her, he perched himself on the edge of the bed, watching as Ariana drifted into a dazed state.

In the tranquil night, he found himself reluctant to leave.

Holden's eyes remained fixated on Ariana, and without thinking, his fingers traced the contours of her eyebrows and eyes as if drawn by an invisible force.