I blinked my eyes open slowly, feeling the weight of exhaustion still clinging to me. The room was quiet except for the soft beeping of the machines, and I instinctively turned to where Marshall lay. He was still there, sitting up now, propped against the pillows. His eyes were closed, but he looked more peaceful than he had in days. The bandage on his shoulder was fresh, and I could see Chad standing beside him, adjusting the IV.
“How’s he doing?” I asked, my voice hoarse from sleep.
Chad glanced over at me, offering a small, tired smile. “Better. He woke up a few hours ago, but I gave him a dose of morphine to help with the pain. He’s out again, for now.”
I nodded, relief mixing with the lingering unease in my chest. It had been days of watching him hover between life and death, and s
