The hospital corridor was quiet, the kind of hush that settled into places where people waited and worried. Andrey and Lisa stood outside room 307 for a long moment, the door slightly ajar. Through the gap, they could see Marcus lying in the bed, tubes and monitors attached to him.
A nurse passed them with a gentle smile. "He's stable. Resting. You can go in, but only for a moment."
They stepped inside. The room smelled of antiseptic and the faint metallic tang of healing potions. Andrey stood at the foot of the bed, hands at his sides, looking at the man who had barked orders at them during the chaos, who had told them to run while he held the line. Lisa stood beside him, her earlier brightness dimmed.
After a few minutes, Andrey gave a small nod toward the door. Lisa followed him out without a word.
--------×--------
The afternoon sun was warm on their faces as they stepped out of the Association building, the glass doors sliding shut behind them.
