Everything hurts. His body, his head, just thinking, aches in a way he hasn't experienced in... in a very, very long time. Seth's fingers twitch and he gasps shallowly, just struggling to breathe in, out. He wants to yell for help, wants someone to come and press a hand to his forehead, whisper to him that he's going to be alright, like his mother used to do when things were scary. But he's not a little boy anymore, and he's pretty sure this isn't earth right now. His mother's too, too far away to do anything for him right now.
His eyes flutter as there's movement nearby, and he wants to reach out and grab, get attention, but there's no strength in his extremities so the most he manages is a weak curl of his fingers against his palm. Then he faintly hears voices- Shinsuke, he thinks. Luke, maybe. He wants to join in, get them to come closer so he can hear better, but his mouth still isn't working, and all he's left with are these worried wisps of thoughts.
"...Carmella," Shinsuke says, voice low and worried sounding.
"We will continue looking," Luke responds. He sounds exhausted, wary in a way Seth hasn't ever heard him in the years they've dealt with each other. "Villages may not be much help from here, they're all extremely scared in this area."
"I do not blame them," Shinsuke says, slow but determined. "We must do something, though."
"Yes," Luke says, a faint beeping noise attracting Seth's attention. "We will. Just carefully."
Seth wants so badly to move, to do something. Especially now that he knows. Another of his team was taken while rescuing him. It's a horrible, guilt-ridden thought, that somehow only makes his pain ratchet higher through his veins.
There's silence, then a soft touch on his face, brushing futilely against his cheeks. "You just heard all of that, didn't you?" Betamon. Tears burn faster down Seth's abused face as he realizes he's not alone. "It's gonna be ok, Seth. Just stay with me, please. We need you."
His fingers twitch again, with the need to hold Betamon, to comfort his partner. I'm not going anywhere, he thinks, determination flooding his system, temporarily blocking out the agony pulsing through him.
His eyes open.
