Chapter 29

• It was early morning, and the room was blanketed in the soft glow of dawn. Ryan stirred, his brow furrowing in a mix of discomfort. His eyes blinked open as he slowly emerged from sleep. As his consciousness cleared, a familiar pain began to throb in his side, deep and gnawing.
• Ryan swung his legs, his movements slow and deliberate. He knew all too well what this meant, another bout of his chronic illness had shown its ugly head at the wrong time. It was a condition that plagued him relentlessly, and its pain could only subside through an injection. He couldn't afford to waste any time; the sooner he relieved the pain, the better.
• Ryan stumbled towards his bag, his hands shaking slightly as he retrieved the small vial of medication and walked into the bathroom and shut the door. He filled the syringe, his fingers trembling only slightly as he pinched his side. The needle pierced his skin Ashe injected himself.