A wave of exhaustion washed over Oliver as the gravity of the agent’s words weighed on him. Imprisonment – the thought made him shudder. To be trapped behind cold, sterile walls, wasting away while the inferno raged outside. It was a fate worse than death.
He sank back into the pillows, the starch hospital sheets suddenly feeling like shackles. His family gathered close, their concerned faces blurred by his tears. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure this out,” Liam said, though his voice quivered with doubt. Oliver wished he could believe it was that simple. But he could almost feel the flames licking at his skin already. Time was not on their side.