THIRD PERSON POV
Maxie barely had time to register the sharp pain in Marcus' side before Ryan's car screeched to a halt beside them.
"Maxie!" he yelled as he jumped out, scanning the street like a predator.
She pointed toward Marcus, who was lying on the ground, blood seeping through his shirt.
Ryan's jaw tightened. "Get him in the car. Now."
With trembling hands, Maxie helped Marcus into the backseat. Ryan drove like a man possessed, tires squealing against the asphalt, weaving through streets as if the world itself were trying to slow them down.
Marcus groaned weakly, clutching his side. "Maxie… Sharon…"
She shook her head violently, tears blurring her vision. "I… I can't… you are hurt!"
Ryan didn't answer, eyes fixed on the road. The only sounds were the whine of the engine and Marcus' shallow gasps.
At the hospital, chaos greeted them. Nurses and doctors rushed to the emergency room. Maxie followed closely, almost in a daze, as Marcus was wheeled away on a stretcher.
