Gripping the sheets with a newfound intensity, the slow, methodical beeping of the machine next to her filled the room as Jade's voice, laden with apprehension, broke the silence. "Did they die?" she asked, the fear of losing her comrades casting a shadow over her relief at being alive.
The Director, in a gesture betraying his own discomfort with the topic, adjusted his tie, loosening it slightly as he prepared to deliver the news. "It's a bit hard to say for Waddell," he began, his voice carrying the weight of the uncertainty and concern that the situation warranted. "He's still in a coma, much like you were, but he's practically on life support right now."
The news of Waddell's condition painted a stark picture of the battles' tolls, leaving Jade and likely others within their circle clinging to hope for his recovery. The Director's careful choice of words suggested a delicate balance between hope and the harsh realities faced by those embroiled in their fight.