Chapter 40: Beginning of the Blight
While Lara was resting, she noticed that Damon had finally succumbed to exhaustion. Even while seated, he had dozed off into what seemed like a deep sleep. She could feel the weight of his worry for her through his tired expression and still posture.
She tried to sit up, intending to at least cover him with a blanket as a small gesture of thanks. But before she could even get up, Phoebe entered the room quietly and gently placed a comfortable-looking blanket over Damon's shoulders.
Lara saw it all. Though a subtle pang of jealousy stirred in her chest, she chose to remain silent, watching Phoebe's quiet care.
Phoebe noticed Lara awake and smiled at her. "Don't try to move too much," she said gently. "You need to rest."
She then walked over and turned on the television across from the bed, hoping to give Lara something light to watch. Phoebe sat beside her on the bed, keeping her company as the screen flickered softly in the dim room.
Even now, the news about what they're calling the "VIP Massacre"—the event where Lara was rescued—continued to dominate the media. It was still being broadcast on the television, and Phoebe noticed the fear and trauma still evident in Lara's eyes as she silently watched.
Sensing the emotional weight pressing down on her, Phoebe gently changed the channel. A lighthearted, cute anime appeared on screen.
"Let's stick with something cheerful for now," Phoebe said with a soft smile. "You don't need any more stress."
Lara smiled faintly in return. "Thank you," she said quietly.
But just as things seemed to calm down, an urgent news flash interrupted the show.
"This just in," said the news reporter. "An entire family has reportedly died under mysterious circumstances due to an unknown illness that affected one of their relatives."