Ocean Love

Chapter 11

Next day, the arcade’s neon lights flickered as Marlia and Dylan stepped inside, the sounds of video games and laughter filling the space. Dylan, despite his obvious fatigue, insisted on coming. His mood was far from his usual cheerful self, but his stubbornness was evident.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Marlia asked, glancing at Dylan with concern. “You don’t look so great.”

Dylan waved off her concern with a dramatic flourish. “I’m fine. A little fun won’t hurt. Besides, you need a break too. Just one game, okay?”

Marlia sighed, seeing no point in arguing. “Alright, one game.”

They wandered through the arcade, Dylan making a show of his enthusiasm as he tried out different games. Yet, his energy was clearly flagging. Marlia watched him with a mix of worry and resignation, allowing him to enjoy himself as much as he could.

After a while, Dylan’s mood shifted. His previous excitement faded, replaced by a sullen expression. “I think I’m done here,” he said, his voice lacking its earlier zest. “Let’s head back.”

Marlia nodded, sensing the gravity behind his words. “Sure, let’s go.”

As they walked back to Dylan’s place, the evening sky darkened, casting long shadows over the streets. The quiet of the night was abruptly shattered by a rumbling noise that made Marlia’s instincts flare up. She stopped in her tracks, her senses alert.

“What’s wrong?” Dylan asked, his voice weak.

“Something’s not right,” Marlia replied, scanning their surroundings.

Before she could react further, a dark mist began to seep from an alleyway, forming into a monstrous shape. It was different from any enemy they had encountered before, its form shifting and undulating like a living shadow.

“Oh no, not now,” Dylan muttered, his tone a mixture of frustration and resignation.

“Dylan, get behind me!” Marlia commanded, stepping in front of him. But Dylan, despite his apparent exhaustion, pushed forward.

“No, I can handle this,” he insisted, his dramatic flair in full force. “You’re not going to do all the work. I’m not some damsel in distress.”

Marlia rolled her eyes but let him take the lead. The creature roared, its presence radiating an ominous energy. Dylan squared off against it, his movements faltering slightly but still determined.

With each strike, Dylan’s attacks grew weaker, his breathing becoming ragged. The monster’s barrier of dark energy made it nearly impossible for Marlia to get a clear hit. Dylan’s aura flared, but he stumbled, clearly struggling to maintain his strength.

“Dylan, don’t push yourself!” Marlia shouted over the din, her concern growing as she saw him falter.

“I’m fine,” Dylan insisted, though his voice betrayed his exhaustion. “Just need to—”

His words were cut off by another powerful attack from the creature. Dylan staggered, nearly collapsing. Marlia, fighting through the dark mist, saw her opportunity. She struck with precision, breaking through the barrier and landing a decisive blow on the monster.

The creature let out a final, guttural roar before disintegrating into dark mist. The remnants of its energy scattered, leaving the area eerily silent.

Marlia rushed to Dylan’s side, her heart racing. “Dylan!” she cried, seeing him collapse to the ground. His face was pale, and his breathing was shallow.

Dylan looked up at her, his eyes barely open. “I told you... I could handle it...” he murmured before losing consciousness.

Panic surged through Marlia. She quickly checked him over, relieved to find a faint pulse. She dialed for emergency help, her hands trembling. The fight had been won, but at a steep cost. As she waited for help to arrive, she stayed by Dylan’s side, her worry palpable.

The sirens of the ambulance echoed in the distance. Marlia glanced at Dylan, who remained unconscious. She couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that settled over her. They had won the battle, but Dylan’s condition was a painful reminder of the toll their fight had taken.

...

The hospital’s fluorescent lights were harsh compared to the dimness of the night. Marlia sat in the waiting room, her anxiety palpable. She had accompanied Dylan in the ambulance, and now she was left to wait for news on his condition. The sterile smell of the hospital and the murmur of distant conversations did little to calm her nerves.

Hours seemed to stretch endlessly. Finally, a nurse approached, her expression professional but kind. “He’s stable now. You can see him, but keep it brief. He’s been through a lot.”

Marlia nodded, her heart racing as she followed the nurse to Dylan’s room. The door creaked open, and she stepped inside, her eyes immediately finding Dylan lying in the hospital bed. He looked fragile and exhausted, a stark contrast to his usual vibrant self.

He looked up at her with a weak smile. “Oh, look who’s here,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “You didn’t have to stay.”

Marlia crossed her arms, trying to mask her worry with a stern expression. “I’m not going anywhere. Not after what happened.”

Dylan tried to sit up but winced in pain. “I’m fine. Just a bit bruised and battered. Nothing I can’t handle.”

“You’re such a drama queen,” Marlia said, her voice tinged with affection despite her worry. “I saw you faint. Don’t try to act tough.”

Dylan smirked, his usual bravado returning. “I’m telling you, it was just a minor slip. The monster was the real problem.”

Just then, the door opened, and a doctor entered. He took a quick look at Dylan’s chart and then at Marlia. “We need to discuss his condition. He suffered a significant injury—an internal bruise and some minor fractures. He’ll need to stay for observation, but he should recover with proper rest.”

Marlia frowned, glancing at Dylan. “You said it was just a slip.”

Dylan looked sheepish. “Well, I may have exaggerated a bit.”

The doctor continued, “He’s fortunate that you got him here in time. Rest will be crucial for his recovery. We’ll monitor him for any complications.”

As the doctor left, Marlia sat down beside Dylan’s bed. “So, you’re going to be here for a while.”

“Looks like it,” Dylan said, his voice growing serious. “But I’m not going to lie here feeling sorry for myself. I’d rather be out there fighting.”

Marlia smiled faintly. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“Yeah, but you like me anyway,” Dylan teased.

Marlia’s smile widened slightly. “Maybe.”

Dylan’s expression softened. “Thanks for staying. I didn’t expect you to be so concerned.”

“Of course I am,” Marlia said. “You might be a drama king, but you’re still important.”

Dylan’s eyes twinkled, though his fatigue was evident. “I’m glad you think so. And by the way, don’t tell anyone I was such a mess.”

Marlia chuckled. “I won’t if you stop with the dramatic flair.”

“I can't promise you anything” he said teasingly

As the night wore on, Marlia stayed by Dylan’s side, occasionally glancing at the clock. Despite the seriousness of the situation, their conversation remained light-hearted, with Dylan’s attempts at humor and Marlia’s gentle teasing providing a brief respite from the worry.

Eventually, Marlia stood up, stretching her tired limbs. “I should head home and get some rest. You need to focus on recovering.”

Dylan reached out and took her hand. “Promise me you’ll come back?”

“Of course,” Marlia said, squeezing his hand gently. “I’ll be here.”

As she left the room, Dylan watched her go, feeling a mixture of gratitude and affection. Despite the pain and the ongoing battle, he felt a sense of comfort knowing that Marlia was by his side.

The hospital’s quiet corridors seemed to echo with the uncertainty of the night, but for Dylan, having Marlia’s unwavering support was a beacon of hope in his recovery.