Chapter 25: Out of Coma

The sterile white walls swam into focus, a blurry canvas slowly resolving into a harsh fluorescent reality. A dull ache throbbed behind Marcus' eyes, and the rhythmic beep of a machine pulsed in his ears. Panic clawed at his throat, a primal urge to flee this sterile confinement. Then, a calming hand settled on his shoulder. "Marcus? Hey, buddy, you're awake!" Louis' voice, usually laced with playful banter, was raw with emotion. Relief and exhaustion warred on his face. A wave of nausea washed over Marcus. "Who...?" he rasped, his voice sandpaper dry. Louis' smile faltered for a moment before returning, strained at the edges. "It's me, Louis. Your brother." Recognition flickered in the back of Marcus's mind, a faint echo of a familiar face. But the details, the hows and whys of him being here, were shrouded in a thick fog. "What happened?" he croaked, the question a desperate plea for clarity. Louis' smile dimmed. "There was an accident, Marcus. You've been in a coma for..." he h