Jareth floored the gas pedal, the engine of his sleek sports car roaring like thunder as the world blurred past him.


    He got out of the car and darted towards the VIP room; Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy were waiting at the outside.


    "How is Mari?!" Jareth panted, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.


    "Grandpa and Frederic are with her."


    Evadne, glowing with relief yet shadowed with concern, said, "Mari needs care for the internal injury though. She''s still very fragile, and there''s a chance her injuries could cause trouble down the line. She protected her head when she was attacked, but her lungs are infected from nearly drowning, and theck of oxygen led to the deepa."


    Chasel, his brow furrowed in worry, added, "Tomorrow, I''ll run some brain scans on Mari. We need to see if there''s any irreversible damage to her neural pathways before we can figure out the best treatment n."


    Looking at the haggard face of his beloved, Cassius, his gaze filled with tender affection, gently caressed his partner''s cheek, "You''ve been through so much these past few days."


    "With you by my side, it''s bearable." Evadne pulled at his suit jacket and whispered in his ear, his fervent breath warming him, "But if you really think I''ve had it rough, then you''ll just have to make it up to me when we get home."


    A deep look passed through Cassius'' eyes, his face expressionless, but his hand tightened around his partner''s waist, sending a shiver through his body. Chasel squinted his attractive eyes.


    Ha, what a prude, but he loved it!


    Jareth, struggling with his own feelings of guilt, was about to speak when Thaddeus, seeing him through, cut in with a warm voice, "Wait until Grandpa and the otherse out; then you can go see Mari. I think she''d want to see you most of all."


    Jareth''s heart ached, his breath heavy with emotion.


    "Doctor? Where''s the doctor?!" Suddenly, Frederic emerged from the room, flushed with urgency, "Why can''t my daughter speak? What''s happened?"


    Chasel, always on alert as a doctor, rushed into the room first time. Thaddeus and Evadne quickly followed, and Jareth, his heart clenched tight, moved to join them, but the door swung shut just as he reached for it.


    His eyes fluttered, his hand pressed against the cold wood, head bowed, heart frying in its own torment. He couldn''t bring himself to go in; even though he was worried sick and couldn''t wait for another second, he faltered, his feet heavy as if shackled by invisible weights.


    Then, aforting hand rested on his shoulder. Jareth looked up through tear- filled eyes into Cassius'' calming gaze, "Don''t be afraid or doubt yourself. You''re the one for Mari, irreceable."


    "Cassius," Jareth''s voice was thick with emotion.


    "The love between you two is for you both to dere, not anyone else."


    Cassius''s soothing smile was like a balm, "Go in and see her. Even in her unconscious state, I believe she''s been waiting for you."


    Inside the room, Mari''s heart rate was steady, the oxygen mask removed. Her breathing wasbored, her face pale, her eyshes fluttering like the wings of a butterfly.


    "Sweetheart, don''t be afraid. You''re safe now; Grandpa''s here, your dad, your brother and sister-inw are all here, and no one will hurt you again," Hamilton choked, holding his granddaughter''s hand.


    Thaddeus tensed, gripping Evadne tightly as she fought to keep herposure.


    A tear glistened in Mari''s sunken eyes, sliding down her pale cheek. Her parched lips parted, straining to speak, but no sound came out.


    "Dr. Bright, why can''t my daughter speak all of a sudden?" Frederic looked anxiously at Chasel.


    Chasel pondered, his forehead creased, "It seems to be a case of functional aphasia."


    "Aphasia?!" The Abernathy men were shocked.


    "Some patients, after a trauma, develop symptoms like these. It''s usually due to extreme stress or emotional upheaval," Evadne spoke softly, her heart aching.


    "Dr. Bright, is there anything we can do to help my granddaughter?" Hamilton asked, his voice breaking.


    Chasel sighed, "It''splicated. In severe cases, surgery might be necessary."


    Hamilton and Frederic paled, the former wiping away tears, "The fates are cruel. Why must my granddaughter suffer so?"


    Mari opened her mouth and squeezed her grandfather''s hand; she couldn''t speak, but everyone understood she was reassuring him, yet the sight distressed those around her.


    "However, if we can keep Mari''s spirits up and her mind at ease, her condition might improve significantly," Chasel mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully.


    Evadne''s eyes sparkled, her lips curving into a knowing smile. Sharp as a tack, she saw through Chasel right away.


    "Mind at ease."


    Hamilton''s eyes brightened, and hurriedly asked, "I heard you guys talking outside just now. Is Jareth here?"


    "Yes, Grandpa Hamilton," Thaddeus confirmed promptly.


    "Then bring him in! I bet my granddaughter would rather see Jareth than her embarrassing grandpa and dad! Bring him in!"


    Frederic face darkened. His own father, indeed, scorching himself while hurling barbed remarks against him!


    The hospital room door swung open, and Jareth''s heart pounded like a drum solo, his clumsy steps carrying him forward.


    But he halted at the perimeter, frozen by an invisible barrier of fear. Thaddeus, his eyes brimming with encouragement, gave him a gentle nudge towards his sister.


    "Mari, look who''s here."


    Jareth''s pale, gaunt face came into view for the girl, her eyes bloodshot. Mari''s eyelids fluttered open slowly, her mouth forming a dry, raspy sound, "Ah...ah..."


    The dullness that had overtaken her features seemed to vanish, reced by a sparkle akin to countless little stars gleaming in a tranquil night sky. Her gaze held him in a silent, tender embrace, love unfurling endlessly.


    In that moment, Jareth could no longer contain the overwhelming surge of emotion that wracked his soul.


    Before everyone present, he dropped to one knee by Mari''s bed, a broken sob rising from deep within his throat, tears streaming down his face, unabashed in his vulnerability.