glowing eyes

three

When I awoke I half expected to be chained to that post again, so it was a pleasant surprise to see I was a in a bed, a hospital bed. I wiped the sleep out of my eyes as I slowly sat up, wincing slightly in pain as I did so. The thoughts of pain were swept away with the sudden realization that someone had found and brought me here. The thought hit me like a tsunami, and I felt doubt creep into my head. What if I mess up the plan? Will they take me back to the house? Oh god, I don't think I could survive another day in that suffocating prison, I would surely die before I even stepped foot in there. I was so deep in thought I didn't even noticed another person enter the room.

"Marinette? My name is Doctor Hanes, how much do you remember from last night?" A deep voice rumbled, shocking me from my thoughts. I internally cursed myself, for an assassin I was doing pretty terrible at what I usually do best. Mendeleieve would've cursed me to hell if she was here.

"I.. uh.." I started, unsure of what to say exactly. "Well um.. I remember being dropped off somewhere, it was night when it happened and I-I tried to find a p-phone booth to contact my family and uh...things are kinda blurry from t-there," I stuttered, messing with my hospital gown. I never liked being put on the spot, especially in front of people like doctors.

"Are you sure there's nothing else you remember?" Doctor Hanes questioned, looking at me imploringly. He adjusted his glasses as he continued to stare at me, waiting for my response. My throat felt thick as I tried to form words, or simply anything to say to this elderly doctor.

"Well um.. I think I remember someone picking me up? I couldn't really see who it was since everything was kinda blurry..." I trailed off, glancing up at the doctor for a moment. He nodded in understanding before flashing me a smile. He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, looking down at me.

"Thank you for informing us, now there are some very eager people to see you outside the door, so I will take my leave," Doctor Hanes stated politely before leaving the room. It took only about ten seconds before I was crushed by a flying Alya.

"MARINETTE! OH MY GOD YOU'RE ALIVE! I'VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH AND I LOVE YOU AND I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOUR SIDE AGAIN GIRL!" She screamed as she wrapped her arms around me tightly. I returned her embrace with the same fierceness, tears rolling down my face. "I thought I lost my best friend," Alya whispered, before giving me one last hug and letting go. She wiped her face with the back of her hand as a smile found a way onto her face.

"Sorry Mrs. Cheng, I got to your daughter first," Alya laughed through her tears , causing my eyes to drift over to my parents. If I thought I was crying hard before, nothing could compare to the waterfall that I was currently producing. Just the sight of my parents standing there sent me into hysterics, tears dripping down my face as I opened my arms for a hug. They quickly rushed over, tucking my in their loving arms. This had been a moment I dreamed of and the fact it came true only made me cry harder.

"Oh Marinette," Maman mumbled into my shoulder, her tears trickling down my hospital gown. "I'm so happy that you're okay, oh Marinette," She sobbed, her small body shaking as she cried.

"I love you so much Mari, don't ever leave us again," Papa cried, hugging me closer. Being in their embrace caused this wave of warmth to blossom in my stomach, stretching all the way to my fingertips. With their arms around me, I felt something I hadn't felt in a while, safe.

"I won't Papa, I won't," I cried, nestling my head against his chest, "I'm so sorry."

Maman retracted for a moment to cradle my face in her hands, "Oh Marinette, there's nothing to be sorry for. This is not your fault, ok sweetie? We love you so much Mari, you know that right?" She asked, tears cascading down her cheeks. The look in her eyes ripped my heart apart, they were almost haunting. I wonder if my own eyes mirror hers.