Can’t Win Me Back

Jasper steadied his breath the moment he pushed the door open to Alyssa's hospital ward.

For some reason, he was feeling really nervous.

There was almost nothing that could ever unnerve him.

Other than Newton, Alyssa was the only other person who could make him feel disquieted.

A strange serenity filled the room, broken only by the faint hum of the medical equipment.

Alyssa was still awake.

She was sitting upright against the headboard.

Her gaze was fixed on the darkness outside the window; her face turned to the side as if lost in thought.

The new moon cast no light; there were no stars.

She seemed to be staring at nothing, into the endless pitch black.

Jasper froze in the doorway, his eyes widening slightly as he took in the sight of her.

His breath hitched in his chest.

This woman, once so full of optimism and light, now appeared fragile, defeated.

Her spirit seemed so broken that it felt as if a single touch could shatter her completely.

It wasn't until a few moments later that Alyssa seemed to notice his presence.

Slowly, she turned her head.

met his—deep,

here?" Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her body stiffening beneath

eyes were red, and her muscles were tense, betraying her

forward, holding a thermal flask

was somber as he asked, "Are you feeling better?" Alyssa

in which a cannula was inserted, tensed

image of Alyssa curling up

inexplicable ball of

He couldn't hold back.

you keep trying to end your life, hurting yourself over and over

whiter as if

I will keep the promise I

make it that day." Jasper spoke to her in a rather stern

pig-headed, possibly because she was still

to find someone." In acroaky voice, Alyssa asked, "Who?" The

hesitated, mulling over what he

Someone who's very important tome."

she realized

She used to be

it seemed, anyone else could easily pull his attention away, making it

time." Jasper placed the thermal flask at the side of Alyssa's

it for you to hurt yourself because of me."

for you again." Her gaze dropped

felt completely destroyed, wishing for nothing but

it was all just something "not worth

opened the thermos flask and

fighting back the