The Way Back 13

“That’s the victim. Do you know her?” Marshall inquires, rising from his crouch.

Law fixes him with an icy glare, his voice monotone yet laced with contained emotion. “Yes, I do. Law Winston from the prosecution department.” Law confidently presents his police identification, resolute in his intent. “You’ve done an exemplary job.”

Marshall swiftly perceives Law’s motive — to ensure Hazelle’s safety by diverting attention away from her. However, he pays no mind to the ploy and remains standing, arms crossed, observing as the ambulance arrives. There would have been little time to unravel the intricate connection between them, regardless.

“Haze… why haven’t you been answering your phone? What are you doing here?” Law squats down, tenderly caressing the back of Hazelle’s hand. His voice softens, laden with concern. Hazelle catches a glimpse of despair shimmering within his eyes, as he valiantly strives to contain his inner tumult.

“Law, my phone is at home…” Hazelle begins, but her words are cut short as a doctor hurries over, inquiring, “Is this the victim?”

“Yes, she’s the one. You can transport her to the clinic. She’s conscious, and I haven’t detected anything serious, but it’s best to have her thoroughly examined. The arsonist is also injured, but no further casualties have been found yet,” Marshall relays to the doctor, motioning for his assistants to aid Hazelle.

“I’ll accompany her,” Law declares, and Hazelle, aware that she cannot deny him, nods in agreement, realizing she cannot let him go at this moment.

***

“The condition of patient Hazelle Lee poses no imminent danger. However, she may experience slight shortness of breath and headaches. The doctor suggests that a leisurely stroll in the fresh air or a mild pain reliever should suffice in this case,” conveyed the nurse, reciting the physician’s notes. “Miss Hazelle, do you feel a profound connection with your soulmate?”

Hazelle turned her gaze towards the nurse, momentarily lost in contemplation. The question caught her off guard, yet it struck at the heart of the matter. How should she respond? After all, she had only recently crossed paths with him, her savior, someone who unmistakably shared a connection with her as she did with him. And they had not even exchanged names yet. Could she divulge this information now, when she herself was uncertain? Was it the right course of action? A seemingly simple question, yet one that proved agonizingly difficult to answer. Law observed her, patiently waiting for her reply. He believed the answer was obvious, but somehow, it eluded her. Hazelle knew that by confessing, she risked shattering his heart. Thus, until she acknowledged the bond with the firefighter, she chose to remain silent.