I wanted to reach out to her, feel her in my arms, safe and sound. The image of her kept flashing in my mind—her soft features, her eyes that always sparkled when she smiled, the way she looked at me with love.

And now, the image of her hurt, vulnerable, and scared haunted me. Every second that passed felt like a weight pressing on my chest. Time was slipping away, and I couldn’t let her wait a moment longer.