The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Super 8 Motel.

No matter how crazy things got outside, it was like this place existed in its own bubble.

Right now, Sandy and Herman were completely shut off from the rest of the world. Whatever chaos was unfolding out there, they didn't have a clue-and honestly, Sandy just didn't care. She wasn't even thinking about how Herman might react to learning about the memories he'd lost.

Her heart thudded in her chest, a flicker of fear deep in her eyes.

Just moments earlier, Sean had come barreling out of the bathroom and, without

a word, downed the cup of tea sitting in front of Herman.

The tea was poisoned. And Sean drank it.

Sandy hadn't had time to stop him, and she couldn't even say anything about it. All she could do was stare at Sean, eyes wide with horror.

She knew exactly what would happen to him now.

Sean seemed almost calm, like he'd already accepted whatever was coming. He set the empty cup down, forced a thin smile, and said to Herman, "Guess I was really thirsty. Hey, why don't you have my cup?"

Herman didn't care about the tea. He just wanted answers about Anastasia.

His eyes locked onto Sandy, cold and sharp. "Where's my home? What's my real name?"

But Sandy wasn't paying attention. Her mind was on Sean. Her voice shook with panic as she spoke, but her words were for Herman. “Let's talk about it another time. I just remembered something urgent. Sean, come with me."

She didn't care what Herman thought-she just grabbed Sean and rushed out, her hand icy, her voice trembling.

Sean let her pull him along, and seeing how worried she was actually gave him a little comfort. His sister wasn't as heartless as she acted.

They hurried down the hallway. At the elevator, Sandy's hands trembled as she jabbed the button. The second the doors closed, she spun to Sean and hissed, "Why did you drink that tea? No matter how thirsty you are, you can't just drink it! Don't you know what was in there-"

She couldn't even finish the sentence. The words stuck in her throat.

Sean looked at her, strangely calm. "I know."

Sandy's eyes filled with dread. "You knew?"

"I knew." Just then, pain twisted across his face. His legs gave out and he

grabbed the elevator railing, face pale and contorted.

"Sean! Sean!" Sandy's voice was frantic. "Hold on! I'll get you to a hospital. Or-

try to throw it up! Come on, throw up!"

Her eyes filled with tears as she stuck her fingers down Sean's throat.

He gagged, and some of the tea came up.

Seeing that it worked, Sandy kept at it.

By the time the elevator reached the lobby, Sean had vomited everywhere. The

smell was so bad, people waiting outside recoiled instantly.

Ignoring the stares, Sandy dragged Sean out, flagged down a cab, and rushed him to the hospital.

Because she acted fast and got him medical help right away, the poison didn't do as much damage as it could have. Sean's life wasn't in danger, but he was left weak and pate, lying in a hospital bed.

Sandy sat by his side, relief and fear swirling in her chest. When the doctor came

in, he said, "The patient's been poisoned with cyanide. Did he eat or touch anything unusual?"

Cyanide. That's not something most people just come across by accident.

The doctor was clearly trying to figure out if this was an accident-or something deliberate.

Before Sandy could speak, Sean forced out, "Doctor, it was me. I did it on purpose. My girlfriend ran off with someone else. If my sister hadn't found me in time, I wouldn't be here."

Sandy's emotions twisted into a knot.

The doctor sighed. "Son, you're still young. There's so much ahead of you. You'll meet someone better, trust me. You only get one shot at life-don't waste it."

Sean nodded, looking embarrassed. "Thanks, Doc. I understand. I won't do anything like this again."

"Alright, get some rest. If you feel anything weird, just hit the call button." With that, the doctor left.

Once they were alone, Sandy

slumped into a chair, drained. She

looked at Sean and asked softly "You knew there was poison in the tea, didn't you? Why would you drink it? Aren't you afraid of dying?"

Sean managed a faint smile. "Death doesn't scare me as much as the thought of you going down a road you can't come back from. You're my only sister. How could I just sit

by and watch you make a mistake

you'd regret forever?"

"Sean..." Sandy was touched, but also puzzled. "How did you know the tea was poisoned?"

She had a sinking feeling she already knew the answer.

Sean stayed silent.

Sandy pressed gently, "Is it... because of what happened to Dad? After his

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