Red Horizon (The Martian Fanfiction)

Chapter 7

Olivia woke with a sharp inhale, her body immediately protesting the movement. The chair she'd fallen asleep in was unforgiving, and every muscle in her neck screamed as she tried to shift. Her leg throbbed with a deep, unrelenting pain that radiated up through her thigh, while her ribs sent sharp spikes of agony through her chest with every shallow breath. She winced, carefully adjusting her position, trying not to cry out as she gingerly placed her hand against her ribs.

The Hab was eerily quiet, its artificial lighting casting a soft glow over the room. Outside, the storm had long since passed, but the silence felt oppressive, almost amplifying the discomfort coursing through her body. She pressed her lips together, forcing herself to focus through the pain.

Across from her, Mark was slumped against the wall, his head tilted at an awkward angle, eyes closed. He looked just as exhausted as she felt—his body still, save for the slow rise and fall of his chest. Relief flooded through her at the sight of his breathing. He was alive, for now.

"Mark," Olivia rasped, her throat dry and tight. She tried to reach toward him, but the effort sent a sharp twinge through her ribs, forcing her to pull back. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, gathering the strength to try again. "Mark, wake up."

He didn't stir. Olivia swallowed hard, bracing herself against the pain before raising her voice a little, though the movement still made her wince. "Mark," she called again, louder this time.

A groan escaped from him, his head lolling to the side as his eyes fluttered open. He blinked groggily, wincing as he shifted, clearly still feeling the effects of the deep wound in his side. His eyes slowly focused on her, squinting through the fog of exhaustion and pain.

"Olivia?" His voice was rough, thick with sleep, as he straightened up slightly. He blinked again, trying to clear the haze from his mind. "You okay?"

Olivia let out a breathy, weak laugh that quickly turned into a pained hiss. "Not exactly," she muttered, gingerly pressing a hand to her ribs. "I feel like I've been hit by a truck... but I guess I'm still alive, so there's that."

Mark pushed himself into a more upright position, his movements slow and deliberate, his face pale from the effort. He groaned softly as his hand instinctively went to the wound at his side. "Yeah... barely," he muttered, rubbing his eyes. His gaze flicked over her, his brows knitting in concern. "You look like you could use some pain meds."

He moved to stand, but Olivia held up a shaky hand to stop him.

"No, no... sit down. You need them more than I do," she said, her voice firm despite the pain. She glanced at his wound, the way his body stiffened with each subtle movement. "You're the one with a hole in your side. And besides," she added with a faint smirk, "I'm the doctor. I get to stab you this time."

Mark huffed a small laugh, though it quickly turned into a wince. "I'd complain, but I think you're right. You have been waiting for an excuse to stab me."

"Don't tempt me." Olivia flashed him a weak smile before forcing herself to move, groaning softly as she braced against the chair, pain flaring through her leg and ribs. "Help me get the kit."

Mark hesitated for a second but eventually nodded, knowing she wasn't going to give up on this. With a pained grunt, he forced himself to his feet, limping over to grab the first-aid kit. His breath was shallow, his movements careful as he retrieved the pain meds and a syringe. Despite his obvious discomfort, he brought the supplies over to Olivia, kneeling down beside her with a groan as his own body protested the movement.

"Doctor's orders, huh?" he murmured, his lips twitching into a faint smile as he handed her the syringe.

"That's right," Olivia replied, her voice tinged with dry humor. She loaded up the syringe, her hands surprisingly steady considering the pain she was in. "This is for all the times you've called me 'Livi,'" she quipped, tapping the syringe with a practiced ease before carefully injecting the meds into his arm.