(Marcus POV)
Marcus watched as the green-haired girl lay motionless on the hospital bed, surrounded by countless medical machines.
The room felt dark and gloomy. The curtains were drawn tight, and silence hung heavy in the air—broken only by Jade's labored breathing through the ventilator.
Marcus sighed and clenched his fists.
"If only I was—strong enough.... If only I told you not to go that day..." His voice cracked, breaking into sobs and hiccups.
He rubbed his tear-streaked face.
"I'm—so... sorry, Jade...I'm really—really sorry...."
Marcus's crying quickly consumed the depressing room, drowning out even Jade's mechanical breaths.
-----
Outside the hospital room, Coral waited. She couldn't bring herself to face Jade yet.
Because in her mind, she was responsible for Jade's condition.
Coral had been the only one besides Tina who could survive the poisonous fog. Not only had she failed to defeat the Broker or gather any useful information, but she also hadn't saved Jade.
