Blood And Promises Novel by Sabrina Hart Chapter 20

Blood And Promises Novel by Sabrina Hart Chapter 20

It was not until the Army Band received a mission to perform in the countryside.

The performance was set in a remote mountain village, with a stage hastily constructed and very basic facilities.

Samantha was the lead dancer in one of the key dances.

Halfway through the show, at the climax, Samantha had to execute a difficult sequence of continuous spins on the spot, followed by a leap into the air.

Just as she leapt up, reaching the highest point, and the audience erupted in thunderous applause—

“Crack!”

Above her head, a large spotlight used for tracking, along with its heavy metal frame, suddenly broke free as the securing bolts snapped! The massive metal rig, accompanied by a terrifying rush of wind, plummeted straight toward the center of the stage—straight toward Samantha, who had just landed!

“Watch out—!”

A wave of terrified screams erupted from the audience.

Samantha only heard the vicious wind above her. She instinctively looked up, seeing nothing but a rapidly enlarging shadow, as the specter of death instantly enveloped her. Her mind went blank. Her body, exhausted from the difficult move she had just completed, was too weak to dodge in time.

At that critical moment—

A dark figure shot out from the shadows at the side of the stage with unbelievable speed! Moving so fast it left only a blur, with a desperate resolve, the figure crashed into the stunned Samantha, knocking her aside, and then used their own body to shield her completely!

“Bang—!!!!”

A deafening, muffled crash, accompanied by the screech of twisting, breaking metal, echoed across the entire makeshift stage. The heavy metal rig landed squarely on that person’s back!

“Ugh—!”

A suppressed, agonized groan sounded right next to Samantha’s ear, so close it was almost touching. Immediately after, a warm, metallic-smelling liquid began to drip onto her forehead and cheeks.

Samantha was left dizzy from the impact, but the person shielding her held her tightly in an iron grip, protecting her from all harm. She could clearly feel the body pressed against her shudder violently from the blow, then suddenly go limp, all its weight collapsing onto her.

Fragments of the light and dust fell down in a steady stream. Chaos erupted in the audience below—cries of alarm, running footsteps, and anxious shouts all blending together.

Samantha struggled, poking her head out from beneath the person who had shielded her. In the dim, chaotic light, she saw a face right in front of her, pale as paper.

It was Richard.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, his lips drained of color from the pain, trembling slightly. But when he saw her eyes open, saw that she seemed unhurt, his pupils—dazed from pain—managed to focus just a little, and with great effort, he pulled out a faint, faint smile.

“…Sammy…” His voice was barely a whisper, yet carried a sense of immense relief. “You’re okay… that’s… good…”

After saying this, his eyelids fluttered, his head dropped heavily onto Samantha’s shoulder, and he completely lost consciousness.

In the corridor of Irwin Army Community Hospital, filled with the smell of disinfectant, the lights were harsh and pale. The light above the operating room stayed on for a long time—so long that Samantha’s legs went numb from standing, and her blood seemed to grow colder with every passing minute.

Humberto rushed over as soon as he got the news, took off his jacket, draped it over Samantha’s thin, bloodstained dance dress, and gently pulled her into his arms.

“It’s going to be alright. He’s strong—he’ll be fine.” Humberto’s voice was steady and powerful, carrying a comforting strength.

Samantha leaned against him, but her body was trembling slightly. The moment the rig fell, Richard’s figure rushing out, and his final, relieved smile kept flashing before her eyes. That smile was faint, yet it burned into her heart like a red-hot brand.

Why? Why did he rush out? Why… did he use his own body to shield her? Didn’t he know that could mean death?

At last, the light above the operating room went out. The doctor walked out, exhausted, and removed his mask.

“Doctor, how is he?” Samantha stepped forward instinctively, her voice dry.

The doctor sighed. “His back was severely injured, with multiple soft tissue contusions, a fractured spine, and a shattered shoulder blade. The surgery was very successful. However, the patient’s body was already depleted before this, and his willpower seems… very weak. Whether he can wake up, and when, depends on his own determination.”

Humberto’s hand tightened slightly on hers as he said in a low voice, “Go take care of yourself.”

But Samantha just shook her head. “I want… to see him.”

In the intensive care unit, it was so quiet that only the sound of machines could be heard. Richard lay face down on the hospital bed, his back wrapped in thick layers of gauze, with faint traces of blood still seeping through.

There was no color in his face, his lips were cracked, and his eyes remained closed as if he had fallen into an endless sleep. The man who had once seemed so strong, so invincible, now looked so fragile he might shatter at a touch.

Samantha, dressed in sterile clothing, stood by the bed, quietly watching him. Even in his coma, his brows were tightly furrowed, as if trapped in some painful nightmare. His lips moved slightly, uttering indistinct murmurs.

Samantha instinctively bent down, leaning in closer.

“…Sammy… don’t go… don’t go…” His voice was very soft, very unclear, filled with a drowning kind of despair. “I was wrong… I really was wrong… trust me… please… trust me this once…”

“Blood… so much blood… Sammy… does it hurt… let me blow on it… if I blow, it won’t hurt anymore…”

“Don’t be afraid… I’m here… even if the sky falls… I’ll hold it up…”