The illusion of love

The night is dark and quiet, save for the rhythmic crashing of the waves against the rocky shore of the beach.

Malik sits in a chair, his eyes still trained on the sleeping form of Robin, his brow furrowed with concentration.

He has been watching her for hours, not wanting to miss a single moment, his need for vengeance burning like a smoldering ember within him.

As time ticks by, Malik's eyelids start to feel heavy, and he finds himself drifting in and out of consciousness. It's only when a loud crash echoes through the room that he snaps awake, his heart pounding in his chest. Malik's eyes widen as he takes in the sight before him.

The cot is empty. The neatly arranged medical supplies lie scattered across the floor, a chaotic mess of antiseptic wipes, bandages, and discarded syringes. Robin is gone.

A strangled hiss escapes Malik's lips, a sound of pure, unadulterated fury.

"No…."