Sincerely, Marlena

31

Sincerely, Lucien.

I stood at the door of the medical room with Nolan and Alistair, our conversation about the raid's aftermath momentarily paused. Inside, Louis was working on Marlena's injury. The tension between us was palpable—none of us were pleased with how Marlena had pushed herself during the raid, and it was clear that this situation needed addressing.

Through the small window in the door, I could see Marlena seated on the edge of an examination table. Her clothes were loosely draped around her, the makeshift bandages having been removed to reveal the wound. Her ribs were marked by an angry red gash, and even from here, I could see how deep it was.

Louis worked with a practiced efficiency, his brow furrowed in concentration. Marlena, for her part, looked determined to appear unaffected. She cracked a joke as he began assessing the injury. "Well, if you're all this concerned, I must be doing something right. Clearly, you need me around more than I thought."

Her attempt at humor seemed to lighten the mood momentarily, but it did little to ease the concern etched on our faces. Louis's hands were steady as he cleaned the wound, but Marlena's stubbornness was evident in her refusal to show any sign of discomfort beyond a tight-lipped grimace.

Alistair, standing beside me, muttered, "She's pushing herself too hard. This injury could be more severe than she's letting on."

Nolan nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on Marlena. "She's got to stop acting like she's invincible. It's reckless, and it puts everyone at risk."

I kept my eyes on her, the frustration in me simmering just below the surface. "She's got a point. We do need her. But that doesn't mean she should risk her life every time she's on the field."

Louis carefully re-bandaged Marlena's injury, his movements slow and deliberate. "This isn't just about needing you, Marlena. It's about you taking care of yourself. If you push too hard, you could end up making things worse."

Marlena shot him a wry smile. "I'm fine. It's not like this is the worst I've been through. You should see some of the things I've survived."

I couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. Her bravado was admirable, but it was also maddening. She was putting herself at unnecessary risk, and it was affecting the entire group's ability to function effectively.

Nolan stepped forward, his tone firm. "You need to be more careful. We can't afford to have you out of commission because you're trying to prove a point."

Marlena's expression hardened slightly, though she remained silent for a moment. Her gaze flicked toward the door, where we stood, and then back to Louis. "I didn't mean to be reckless. I just thought I could handle it."

Alistair's eyes narrowed. "It's not just about handling it. It's about understanding the risks. You've already pushed your limits today."

Louis finished re-bandaging her wound and stood back, his face showing a mix of relief and concern. "You need to rest, Marlena. If you don't take care of yourself, you're going to end up making things worse for everyone."

Marlena sighed, clearly frustrated with the conversation. "I get it. I'll rest. But you should know, if I'm this involved, it's because I believe in what we're doing. And if that means getting hurt in the process, then so be it."

I watched her, a mix of admiration and irritation swirling in my chest. "You're not making this easy, Marlena. We need you, but we also need you to be smart about it."

As Louis finished up, Marlena adjusted her clothing, her movements stiff but controlled. She glanced at me, her eyes carrying a hint of challenge. "Thanks for the concern. I'll be careful next time. But I'm not going anywhere."

With that, she gave us a nod and began to leave the room, her steps slightly unsteady. I watched her go, my frustration mingling with an uneasy concern. There was a fine line between bravery and recklessness, and I wasn't sure where Marlena was drawing it.

As the door closed behind her, Nolan and Alistair turned to me, their expressions serious. "We need to make sure she understands the stakes," Nolan said, his tone firm.

I nodded, my mind already racing through the implications. "Agreed. I'll talk to her. She needs to understand that pushing herself too hard could jeopardize not just her life but the entire mission."

We left the medical room, the weight of our responsibilities heavy on our shoulders. Marlena's injury was a reminder of the risks we faced, but her stubbornness and resilience were equally daunting. We had to find a way to balance her determination with the need for caution—before it was too late.