A Life Torn Asunder

An Accident!!

It was the end of a memorable school trip. The students were buzzing with energy as they packed their belongings, ready to head back home. The teachers had divided the class into two buses for the journey. Masha was assigned to Bus 1, while Lucifer was on Bus 2. Although this arrangement made logistical sense, Masha felt a pang of disappointment. She had grown used to Lucifer's constant chatter and cheerful personality. Being separated from him for the duration of the trip back seemed oddly unsettling.

As they stood outside the buses, Masha approached Lucifer, who was already leaning casually against the side of his assigned vehicle, his long white hair fluttering in the breeze.

"Guess we're splitting up for now," Lucifer said with a smile, his voice as light as always.

Masha crossed her arms and pouted. "Don't act so happy about it. I'm not thrilled to be stuck with the noisy crowd on my bus without you to keep me entertained."

Lucifer chuckled, a soft, melodic sound that could easily be mistaken for a girl's laugh. "Oh, come on, Masha. You'll survive. Besides, it's just a few hours."

Masha huffed but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "Fine, but don't go doing anything reckless without me around, got it?"

He gave her a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am. I'll be on my best behavior."

They shared a quick, friendly exchange of waves before boarding their respective buses. Masha settled into her seat by the window, but her usual excitement about bus rides was dulled. She glanced out at Bus 2, where Lucifer was sitting near the middle, already chatting animatedly with some classmates. She sighed and leaned her head against the glass, silently hoping for a smooth journey.

The ride started uneventfully, with both buses cruising down winding roads surrounded by lush greenery. However, as Bus 2 took a sharp turn on a narrow mountain road, disaster struck. A large, rotten tree collapsed, blocking the path. The driver tried to swerve, but the sudden maneuver caused the bus to lose control and collide head-on with an oncoming truck.

The deafening sound of metal crunching and glass shattering echoed through the valley. Inside the bus, chaos erupted as students screamed, and debris flew everywhere. Lucifer, who had been seated by the window, bore the brunt of the impact. Glass shards pierced his arm, and his head struck the seat in front of him violently. Blood poured from the gash on his head, staining his white hair a vivid crimson before he lost consciousness.

On Bus 1, the mood was still light, with students chatting and laughing. Masha was lost in thought, her mind drifting to Lucifer and his ever-cheerful antics. Suddenly, the bus driver's phone buzzed, and after a hurried conversation, he announced grimly that Bus 2 had been in an accident. The news hit Masha like a bolt of lightning.

Her heart raced as she shot out of her seat. "What happened? Is everyone okay?" she demanded, her voice trembling.

The driver glanced at her, his expression grave. "We don't know yet. We're heading to the scene now."

As the bus sped toward the site of the accident, Masha's hands clenched the seat in front of her, her knuckles white. She couldn't shake the ominous feeling gnawing at her. When they arrived, the sight was worse than she had imagined. Bus 2 was mangled, its front half crumpled like a tin can. Paramedics were already on the scene, attending to injured students. Masha's eyes darted frantically, searching for Lucifer.

She spotted a group of crying students and rushed toward them. "Where's Lucifer? Is he okay?" she asked, her voice cracking.

One of the girls, tears streaming down her face, shook her head. "He... He was hurt really badly. They've already taken him to the hospital. He's unconscious."

Masha felt the ground sway beneath her feet. Her legs wobbled, and she stumbled backward, clutching her chest as if trying to steady her pounding heart. "No... no, that can't be," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

At the hospital, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Masha sat in the waiting room, her head buried in her hands. She barely noticed her classmates around her, their whispered conversations a distant hum. When the doctor finally emerged, Masha shot to her feet.

"How is he?" she blurted out, her voice desperate.

The doctor's face was somber. "We've removed the glass fragments and stabilized his condition. However, he lost a significant amount of blood and remains unconscious. He's in the ICU now, and while he is out of immediate danger, I must be honest with you—whether he wakes up is uncertain. You can take him home if you wish, but recovery will depend entirely on him."

Masha felt as though the world had crumbled around her. Numbly, she nodded and made arrangements to bring Lucifer home.

Back at her house, Masha set up a quiet room for Lucifer, ensuring he had everything he needed for recovery. She sat by his bedside, her hands trembling as she brushed a stray lock of hair from his pale face. Tears welled up in her eyes as she whispered, "Please wake up, Lucifer. Don't leave me alone."

The days that followed were torturous. Masha barely ate or slept, spending every waking moment by Lucifer's side. Her friends tried to comfort her, but nothing could lift the heavy weight in her chest. Each night, she held his hand and prayed, her tears soaking the bedsheets.

It was on the night of a full moon that something changed. The silver light streamed through the window, casting a gentle glow over the room. Masha, her head resting on the edge of the bed, noticed the faintest twitch in Lucifer's fingers. She sat up abruptly, her heart leaping in her chest.

"Lucifer?" she whispered, leaning closer.

His eyelids fluttered, and after a moment, his eyes opened. They were a bit hazy but unmistakably alive. His gaze met hers, and the first word he uttered was a simple, "Yo."

Masha's hands flew to her mouth as tears streamed down her face. She couldn't contain herself and leaped forward, wrapping her arms around him. "You idiot! You scared me half to death!" she sobbed, her tears soaking his hospital gown.

Lucifer winced slightly but managed a weak chuckle. "Hey, careful. I'm still recovering here."

Masha pulled back just enough to glare at him through her tears. "This isn't funny! You almost died, and now you're cracking jokes?"

He gave her a lopsided grin. "What can I say? My name's Lucifer. Guess I had a long talk with my parents upstairs. They said it wasn't my time yet."

Masha's heart ached at the mention of his parents, but she didn't let it show. Instead, she smacked his shoulder lightly. "Don't ever pull something like this again, got it?"

Lucifer raised a hand in mock surrender. "Yes, ma'am. No more life-threatening accidents."

Masha sighed, her face softening. She hesitated for a moment before leaning down and planting a kiss on his cheek. Lucifer's eyes widened, and his face turned as red as Masha's.

"What was that for?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Masha turned her head, hiding her embarrassment. "Don't read too much into it. It's a one-time thing."

But before she could pull away, Lucifer's hand weakly reached up and caught hers. "Masha..."

She turned back to him, her eyes meeting his. For a moment, the world seemed to fade away. Slowly, she leaned down again, this time pressing her lips to his. The kiss was soft, tentative, but filled with unspoken emotion. When they finally pulled apart, Masha's face was scarlet.

"D-Don't make me regret that," she stammered.

Lucifer gave her a small, genuine smile. "I won't."

Masha lay back down beside him, her head resting on his chest as she whispered, "Welcome back, Lucifer."

He wrapped his arm around her as best he could and murmured, "I'm back."

The two of them drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's warmth, the bond between them stronger than ever.