In the next split second, as though on reflex, Marcus took one big step toward me and used his body to shield me from behind. What happened next was me hearing a loud thump as the awning fell on top of us, followed by Marcus’ low grunt behind me.
Everything went dark at that moment. When I snapped back to reality after a few seconds, I realized we were both trapped under the big sunshade awning, hence the darkness.
Marcus was still holding onto me. I asked worriedly, “Marcus, are you okay?”
He replied weakly from behind me, “I’m okay. Don’t worry. I’m sure someone will come to our rescue soon. Are you hurt anywhere?”
I shook my head, but my body was trembling from the shock. Luckily, before long, I finally heard a commotion just outside where we were trapped.
Suddenly, I felt a warm stream of liquid slowly trickling down my back. Sensing that something was off, I asked in a shaky voice, “Marcus, are you okay? Where are you hurt?”
His voice was weak and shaky, and I could tell he was just trying to reassure me when he said he was okay.
I panicked and started yelling, “Help! We’re here!”
When I tried to check on Marcus again, he didn’t answer me. I grew more distressed as I could feel more warm liquid flowing down from his direction. “M-Marcus, are you okay? Don’t fall asleep, talk to me. Please, wake up! Help! Please hurry up!” I was already sobbing uncontrollably.
“Ms. Stovall, we’re doing all we can right now. Don’t you worry,” a voice rang outside.
After a while, the workers finally managed to retrieve us from under the fallen overhang. As Leedon was about to help Marcus up, he was stunned for a few seconds when he saw the state Marcus was in before he fired away, “Quick, get our medical officers and call an ambulance!”
Upon hearing that, my eyes widened and I dared not move any muscle.
When the ambulance finally arrived, the medical staff carefully removed Marcus from above me and placed him on a stretcher. I was later helped up by Leedon, panting so heavily that I couldn’t utter a single word.
All I could do was stared at the pool of blood from where we were trapped earlier. My brain seemed to have stopped processing everything else that was happening around me.
I didn’t know how I had arrived at the hospital. The world seemed to pass me by in a blur as I stood outside the ER while doctors and nurses flitted in and out through the door. I had wanted to stop them to ask about Marcus, but my body wasn’t listening to my command.
In my stupefied state, I remembered someone trying to pull me aside, but to no avail as I simply stood frozen on the ground with my eyes fixated on the light above the ER door. I finally managed to breathe a sigh of relief when the light turned red.
A few minutes later, the ER door swung open and a doctor walked out. I approached her, wanting to ask for Marcus’ status. However, when I opened my mouth, I realized I couldn’t make any sound from my sore throat.
The doctor’s gaze shifted from my face to my body and she furrowed her brows. “Miss, are you injured?”
I shook my head and tried to muster all my energy to reply to her. “I’m… fine.” My words came out all muffled.
She looked behind me as she spoke, “I think you guys should get her checked out to make sure she’s okay.”
It wasn’t until then that I realized most of my light-colored top was covered in blood. No wonder the doctor asks me to get checked out.
I followed the doctor’s gaze and was surprised to see that it was Joseph she was speaking to. I had no idea when or for how long he had been here. He nodded at the doctor and turned to me. “Mrs. Fuller, Mr. White’s condition has stabilized. We should get you checked out by a medical staff now.”
I nodded. The moment I relaxed, my vision went dark before I lost all consciousness.
When I came to, I was already lying on a hospital bed. A nurse was inserting an IV drip attached to my arm as she explained, “She passed out due to suddenly relaxing after a prolonged fight or flight response, causing the adrenaline rush to stop abruptly. To top things off, she is experiencing her menses at the moment, so her hormones are all over the place. She’ll be okay after some proper rest.”
I realized the nurse was not talking to me. I tilted my head and saw both Ashton and Joseph in black suits. The latter nodded after the nurse’s reminder and sent her off.
Ashton’s dark eyes fell on me for a brief moment and then slowly shifted away.
As I regained my full consciousness, my mind was once again flooded by images of Marcus in a pool of blood. Without thinking much about my row with Ashton from earlier, I asked, “How’s Marcus? Is he okay?”
Upon hearing my question, Ashton’s expression immediately turned sulky. His dark eyes fixed steadily on me as he spoke coldly. “So that’s all you care about.”
