Marcellus Awake

Marcellus's eyes fluttered open in the post-anesthesia care unit, and he blinked a few times to adjust to the bright lights. As he turned his head, he noticed a series of machines beeping and whirring beside him, monitoring his vital signs. His body felt heavy and sore, and he groaned softly as he tried to shift into a more comfortable position which he couldn't.

Suddenly, his mind flashed back to the accident at the intersection. He remembered the screeching of tires, the sickening crunch of metal, and the searing pain that had radiated through his body. But most of all, He had been so desperate to change Larisa's mind at the airport that he had ignored the red light and caused the accident.

As the reality of the situation hit him, tears began to roll down his side eyes as he lay on the hospital bed. "Oh, Larisa," he whispered to himself, his voice hoarse with emotion. "What have I done? Have I lost her forever?" The thought was almost too painful to bear, and he felt a deep sense of