Clad in dirt-stained clothing and disheveled hair, the girl seemed a far cry from her usual well-groomed appearance. He took a relieved breath as he recognized the person to be Rose.
Without hesitation, he sprinted toward her, his feet pounding against the ground at a fast pace.
As he drew closer, he could see that the girl appeared to be exhausted and emaciated, her body seeming as though it hadn't been nourished in a long time. The presence of a nearby water source suggested that she had been surviving solely on the water to quench her thirst.
Upon reaching her side, Rio swiftly sat down and gently cradled Rose's head in his lap. He placed his index finger near her nose, checking for any signs of breath. Relief washed over him as he detected the faint but steady rhythm of her breathing.
"Thank god... She's alive," he mumbled softly.
Carefully, Rio patted her cheeks, hoping to rouse her from her unconscious state.