People rushed to my side, and the rescue personnel were foreigners, speaking rapidly in English. My ears were ringing, my vision blurry, making it impossible to understand what they were saying.
Leland quickly scrambled to his feet and dashed towards me, his haste causing him to stumble slightly on the hard snowy slope.
"Lily!" he shouted, hesitating before taking any sudden actions as he turned to communicate with the foreign rescuers.
I turned my head and caught sight of Anya Sanchez through the crowd. She had just stood up and was brushing the snow off her Victorian-style dress. Our eyes met, and she smiled at me. For some reason, I found myself smiling back, only to start coughing, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth.
Everyone froze, and Leland bent over me, his eyes filled with concern. "Lily, talk to me. Don't scare me like this."
I was unable to speak; too many voices were jumbled together, piercing sharply into my ears. Leland lifted me in his arms, the familiar scent of his cologne mingling with the chilly air as I leaned against him.
His heartbeat was rapid, his hands trembling as if in fear. Amidst the chaos, I softly asked, "Why didn't you save me earlier?"
Leland stiffened for a moment. He didn't respond, and I wondered if he hadn't heard me.
