Wren burst into the hospital room, her breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps. Behind her, Conner followed closely, his face a mask of concern. Their eyes immediately found Stormi on the hospital bed, her pallid face a stark contrast to the white sheets beneath her.

“What the hell happened?” Wren demanded, her voice edged with panic.

Riley, standing beside Stormi’s bed, tried to keep his voice calm. “Shh… she’s just resting.”

“Resting?” Wren’s gaze darted between Riley and Stormi, her worry deepening. “What about Rex?”

Riley’s shoulders slumped. “I have no idea. As soon as I found her, she fainted.”

Conner stepped forward, his face set with determination. “Don’t worry. I’ll go check. You two stay here with her.”

“Alright,” Wren agreed, her voice trembling. “Hurry back and let us know what is going on.”

Conner hurried out of the room, his footsteps echoing in the sterile corridor. He spotted a doctor and approached him with urgency. “Excuse me, I had a friend brought here after a car accident. Can you tell me how he is doing?”

The doctor glanced at Conner, his expression unreadable. “The name of your friend?”

“Rex Smith,” Conner replied.

“Alright, give me a moment and I’ll check for you.”

“Thanks,” Conner said, his heart pounding as he waited.

The doctor returned after a few tense minutes, his eyes scanning the screen of a nearby computer. “It seems he just came out of emergency surgery and was taken to room 245.”

Conner’s relief was brief. “Thank you so much.”

Rushing back to Stormi’s room, Conner found Wren’s anxious eyes locked on him.

“So, how is he?” Wren asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“They just brought him out of surgery,” Conner said, his voice heavy with worry. “He is down the hall in room 245.”

“Riley, stay here while we go see Rex,” Wren instructed.

Riley nodded, his gaze filled with concern. “Alright.”

Wren and Conner walked briskly to Rex’s room, their hearts sinking with each step. The sight that greeted them was almost unbearable. Rex lay motionless on the hospital bed, wrapped in bandages, his head heavily bandaged, and cuts marring his face.

“Oh my goodness, Conner, he looks so bad,” Wren said, her voice breaking.

Conner stepped further into the room, his expression grave. “He will heal up, and it will be like nothing happened.”

He walked over to speak with the doctor, leaving Wren to absorb the sight of Rex’s battered form. Conner’s voice, when he returned, was laced with sorrow.

“Wren…”

Wren turned to him, her worry palpable. “What’s wrong?”

Conner’s eyes glistened with tears. “The doctor said the surgery went well, but…” He hesitated, his voice faltering.

“What is it? Tell me…” Wren urged, her heart pounding.

“They said he’s in a coma, and they don’t know if he will ever wake up.” Conner’s voice cracked, tears slipping down his cheeks.

Wren’s heart broke for her friend and for Conner, who was clearly devastated. She wrapped her arms around him, trying to offer solace. “It’s okay. Don’t cry, honey.”

Conner managed to compose himself as they made their way back to Stormi’s room. Riley looked up anxiously as they entered.

“Bro, what did the doctor say?” Riley asked, his voice trembling.

Conner shook his head, his expression one of defeat. “It’s not good.”

Wren took a deep breath. “The surgery went well, but he’s in a coma.”

Riley’s eyes widened in shock. “When will he wake up?”

“They don’t know,” Conner replied.

“What?” Riley’s voice was filled with disbelief.

Wren’s face was etched with concern. “They said he might not ever wake up.”

At that moment, Stormi began to stir, her eyes fluttering open as she heard the devastating news.

“What did you just say?” Stormi’s voice was hoarse, filled with fear.

Wren rushed to her side. “Stormi, you’re awake. Are you feeling okay?”

Stormi’s gaze was frantic. “What did you just say? Tell me now!”

Riley tried to calm her. “Stormi, calm down.”

“I don’t want to calm down!” Stormi’s voice rose in desperation.

Wren took a deep breath, her own emotions raw. “Storm, calm down and I’ll tell you.”

Stormi took a shuddering breath. “Okay, I’m calm.”

Wren’s voice was steady but filled with sorrow. “They said the surgery went well and…”

“And what?!” Stormi’s impatience was palpable.

“Rex is in a coma,” Wren said gently. “He might not wake up.”

“No… no… not true… it’s not true…” Stormi’s voice trailed off as she fainted again.

“Doctor! Doctor!” Wren’s voice was a frantic cry.

The doctor rushed into the room, his expression shifting to one of concern. “What’s wrong?”

Riley’s voice was strained. “She woke up and then passed out again.”

The doctor began checking Stormi’s vitals. “What happened before she passed out?”

“We told her that her boyfriend was in a coma,” Wren admitted, her voice filled with guilt.

The doctor nodded, his face compassionate. “She’s just in shock again. She’ll be okay, but please try to keep her calm when she wakes up.”

“Will do, doctor,” Riley said, his voice heavy with worry.

The doctor left, and Riley turned to Wren, his expression troubled. “What should we do?”

Wren’s face was etched with anxiety. “I don’t know.”

Conner, having overheard, spoke up. “She’s going to take Rex’s coma hard no matter what we say to her. We just have to support her right now and take care of Rex.”

Wren nodded. “Conner is right.”

Riley sighed. “I know.”

Conner glanced at Wren. “I’d better go back and check on Rex.”

“Alright,” Wren agreed. “We’ll stay here for now.”

As Conner left, Wren busied herself with getting some of Stormi’s clothes and food. Riley sat quietly, his thoughts a tangled mess.

Riley’s internal conflict was evident as he looked at Stormi, now resting peacefully once more. He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, his emotions raw and conflicted.

“I feel so bad for Stormi,” Riley thought. “But why is part of me feeling...happy? I’m sick for being happy at someone’s misfortune.”

He whispered to himself, “Maybe I still have a chance.”

Stormi stirred slightly, her voice weak. “What did you say?”

Riley’s heart raced. “What?! Nothing… I didn’t say anything.”

Stormi’s eyes, filled with sadness, met his. “I was dreaming, right?”

Riley sighed. “No, it wasn’t a dream.”

Stormi’s eyes widened in shock. “What? It was real?”

“Storm, you have to calm down,” Riley said gently.

Stormi’s determination flared. “I want to see Rex.”

“Okay, but you have to promise to stay calm, or you’ll pass out again,” Riley said, trying to manage her growing distress.

Stormi’s frustration flared. “I am calm. Now take me to Rex.”

Riley, realizing he couldn’t dissuade her, relented. “Okay… let me get you a wheelchair first.”

As he left to find a wheelchair, Riley couldn’t shake the weight of the situation and the conflicting emotions that plagued him. The days ahead would be filled with uncertainty and emotional turmoil, but for now, he focused on supporting Stormi and hoping for a miracle.