_Midnight_
_Heartland Central Hospital_
Marlon could be seen lying on the bed, deep asleep.
Ashton and Lyra were on either side of him.
Ashton was dressed in casual gray-on-black attire, completed with his pair of gold-rimmed glasses. He was reading a book about rift exploration to while away the time.
On the other side of the bed sat Lyra. Her head rested against the cupboard as she dozed off, exhaustion clear on her face after spending so many hours in the hospital.
Both of them had stayed the longest with Marlon among the others who had come to visit. Logan had also spent a bit more time with them, but he had been busy lately with his reevaluation at the headquarters of the Hunter Association due to his sudden reawakening.
The room was serene and peaceful. Only the small mechanical beeps of the machines and the sound of Marlon breathing calmly could be heard.
COUGH.
With a small cough, Marlon jolted awake.
Ashton dropped the book he was reading and stood up quickly.
