She didn't move from her spot.
She refused to get up, to leave, to be distracted by anything.
She didn't take any breaks.
Refused food.
Didn't bother to hold conversations with anyone.
Slept only when she physically couldn't stay awake.
She stayed put for as long as Alexander remained terrifyingly unconscious, struggling in silence to survive.
A part of her feared that if she let herself lapse in concentration or be distracted at all, even for a moment, that would be the moment he'd suddenly crash and slip away.
But.
As long as she stayed focused...
As long as she stayed by his side...
Then-
She made herself believe she could keep him with her.
It was about 48 hours before he finally stirred, and the sound of his pained groan snapped Isabelle out of her sleep. She blinked her eyes blearily, lifting her head off of the mattress where she'd fallen asleep sitting down and winced, a sore crick in her neck.