Ariozna's glimmering eyes lingered for a long time through the port that day.The sight of Ethan's weakened body between the crates turned her guts and made her feel a pain like no other before.
She had always known her father was ruthless, but seeing Ethan's brutal beating up close made her hate her father more deeply than ever.

As she waited, her mind twisted with memories of Ethan. The vivid image of his body, battered and bloodied, haunted her thoughts. She could still hear the sickening thud of her father's cane and see the helplessness in Ethan's eyes. The memory was unbearable, yet it fueled her resolve.

She stood there, feeling a wave of guilt and sorrow wash over her. She had played a part in this, however unwillingly, and the realization gnawed at her conscience. She knew she had to do something, but her father's grip on her life,and on the entire dock was suffocating.

She waited patiently in the office all day until the work shift ended,like a stray kitten that was just beaten.Arizona felt the weight of her father's silent judgment with each passing minute. His piercing gaze seemed to strip away her defenses, exposing the vulnerability she had worked so hard to conceal. Every time the door creaked open and he stepped inside, her heart raced, dreading what might come next.

Her chest burned from the hard blow of the cane but her heart ached more than ever.She took a deep breath, wincing at the pain in her ribs, and stood up.
She gently put on her coat,the rough fabric scratching against her bruised clavicles and closed the office.
The cold evening air hit her skin as her eyes examined carefully the docks.She knew the shift ended and her father left her there like an abandoned child,like he always punished her when she was little.
This time,this was her shot.Her heart longed to be with Ethan,to caress his bruises to kiss his injuries and make it all better.

The thought of him suffering because of her father's cruelty fueled her rage. She moved quickly through the deserted docks, the faint glow of lanterns casting eerie shadows on the crates and warehouses.

She made her way through the small, dimly lit streets. Although Ethan would never know, she had always been aware of his life, secretly searching for him since she first saw him.

She spotted the poorly lit window in the distance and quietly made her way towards it, constantly glancing over her shoulder to ensure she wasn't being followed.
Ariozana stood at the door waitng for the courage to knock,searching the strenght to look into Ethan's broken eyes.
Finally, she took a deep breath and knocked softly.

The door creaked open, and Diana's worried face appeared in the dim light. "I suppose you are Arizona Lacks?" she whispered, surprise and concern evident in her voice.
"Yes"her voice almost unheard"Can I—"

"He's in bad shape," Diana interrupted sharply, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. "I don’t know if it’s wise for you to see him."

Arizona's heart sank. "Please, I have to see him..."
Diana hesitated, her gaze flicking between Arizona and the dimly lit room. The weight of her mistrust was palpable, but after a moment, she reluctantly stepped aside. "Fine.But if you cause more harm..."
"Thank you."

Arizona stepped cautiously into the room, her eyes taking in the cracked floor and worn furniture. The place was a stark contrast to the opulence she was accustomed to.
"Sorry for the mess," Diana said, her voice tinged with guilt. "We haven’t had the means to redecorate since Mom..."

"I know. It’s okay," Arizona replied softly, trying to offer reassurance.

The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the sound of Ethan's husky voice. His steps were uneven, his voice strained  "If it's Harold, tell him I’ll come to work tomorrow."

Arizona’s heart ached at the sound of his voice, so full of fatigue and pain. She approached him carefully, her hands trembling slightly. "Ethan, it’s not Harold. It’s me"

Ethan turned slowly, his eyes meeting hers with a mix of surprise and weariness. "Arizona? What...what are you doing here?"

Her word chocked up when she saw him.
Ethan was propped up against a the wall, his body visibly battered and bruised. His face, once vibrant, was now marred by dark purple spots. A deep cut ran across his forehead, blood dried and crusted along the edges. His left eye was swollen shut, the skin around it an angry red, while his right eye, though open, was clouded with pain and exhaustion.

His shirt, stained and torn, clung to his torso, revealing the deep bruises and abrasions beneath. His ribs, which had been pounded with the cruel force of the cane, were visibly inflamed and tender, making every shallow breath he took a reminder of his suffering.
"I'm so sorry Ethan" she managed to say while holding back her tears
He looked at Arizona, his gaze filled with a raw, unfiltered anger.
"I want you out of my house, out of my life! I want you nowhere near my sister... You bring only pain and suffering."

Ethan’s voice, though strained, was sharp and bitter. His words cut through the room like a blade, leaving Arizona feeling as though she had been physically struck.

She gently pressed her fingers against her bruised collarbone, applying pressure to her own wounds as if to match the pain she felt inside.

"Please..."

"No," Ethan interrupted, his voice rising in anger. "It's enough. I shouldn't have trusted you."

He shifted his weight and began shouting at her with a fierce intensity. "Do you have any idea what you’ve done? How you’ve made everything worse? I never wanted any of this! Look at me...Look what have you done!"

His shouts echoed off the thin walls. Arizona stood motionless, tears streaming down her face as she absorbed the full force of his rage and hurt. Every harsh word felt like a fresh wound and soon she was just as hurt as him.

"Ethan,this is too much..."Diana interfered"She came here with good intentions."
"She can take her intentions and crawl back to that God forsaken dock...."
"I... I’ll leave," Arizona said softly, her voice breaking. "I just wanted to see if I could help."

As she turned to go, Diana gave Ethan a stern look, her disappointment evident.
"Think carefully before you act on your anger.She is not the one who beat you"

Before getting a chance to respond Ethan began stumbling on his feet,his body weaker than ever.The effort to stand, mixed with his injuries, made him sway dangerously. Diana rushed to his side, her face a mix of fear and frustration.

"Ethan, sit down!" Diana commanded, guiding him gently back to the wall. Her hands, though trembling, were steady as she helped him lower himself to the floor.

"Arizona please..."Diana's voice cracking with fear while looking at the woman standing in the doorway.

Arizona looked at Diana, her own fear reflected in her eyes. She knelt beside Ethan once more, her hands working gently to make him as comfortable as possible. The room was thick with tension, each breath heavy with the unspoken worries of both women.

“Don’t let her touch me...” Ethan barely whispered before losing consciousness

Diana’s face twisted with anguish as she glanced at Arizona.

Arizona's heart sank at Ethan’s words. She felt a deep pang of guilt, her previous attempts to help feelt useless now. She looked at Diana with pleading eyes, hoping for any sign of a way forward.

Diana moved closer, her hands gently checking Ethan’s pulse.Arizona found herself following Diana's slender fingers ans said
"We need to get him to a hospital or at least someone who can give him proper care.”

"No hospital...We can't afford it...I will take care of him.Help me get him in bed."

Arizona nodded as she carefully assisted Diana. Together, they lifted Ethan, his body limp and heavy, and guided him onto the bed in the corner of the room.

Diana worked swiftly, adjusting the pillows and blankets to make Ethan as comfortable as possible.

Arizona stood by, feeling a mix of helplessness and resolve. She wanted to do more, but her limitations were clear. “What can I do to help?”

Diana glanced up, her face a mask of exhaustion and concern. “Find some clean rags and hot water. We need to clean his wounds and see what we can do to ease his pain.”

Arizona nodded and quickly set about gathering the supplies.
With the rags and water ready, Arizona returned to Diana’s side. Together, they carefully cleaned Ethan’s wounds, their actions skillfully guided.

"You can come to my apartment.My father never comes there and I can call my doctor.He will come în secret.He will help you and Ethan..."

Diana’s eyes glimmered with tears as she looked at Arizona, the weight of her illness and the harsh reality of her situation pressing down on her. The room was silent except for Ethan’s shallow breathing and the occasional rustle of fabric.

"I... I don’t know, Arizona. Ethan would never agree to leave our home, and you don’t know what it’s like—”

Arizona stepped closer, her voice firm but gentle. “I understand, Diana. But look at him. He’s in no shape to refuse help right now. You need to think about what’s best for him.”

Diana’s hands trembled as she dabbed at Ethan’s forehead with a cool, damp cloth. “It’s not just about him, though.... It’s my own health, too. I don't know how to manage now with Ethan like this”

Arizona reached out, placing a comforting hand on Diana’s shoulder. “I know about your epilepsy,but that’s exactly why you shouldn’t go through this alone anymore. Let me help you both. I want to make things right, and this is my chance to do something meaningful.”

Tears welled up in Diana’s eyes as she looked at Arizona, the vulnerability of her situation clear. The burden of her illness, the weight of Ethan’s injuries, and the uncertainty of their future seemed almost too much to bear.

Diana took a deep, shaky breath. “You really mean it? You’ll help us?No ulterior motives?"

Arizona nodded with determination. “Yes. I want to make this right,for Ethan... "

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