Wounded and Left by the Tracks, the Dog Begged for Its Life Before Fainting
The air was thick with the smell of rust, oil, and the distant hum of a train that had long since passed. The train tracks stretched far into the horizon, a seemingly endless path that divided the world in two. It was an isolated place, the kind of spot where forgotten things seemed to end up. And in that desolation, lying battered and broken beside the rusted metal rails, was a dog.
His body was a mess of wounds—deep gashes along his side, a leg twisted in an unnatural angle, and his fur matted with blood and dirt. The once-proud creature that had walked with purpose now lay motionless, his breathing shallow, ragged, and labored. His fur, once a rich shade of brown, was now stained and torn. He had been left there, abandoned by the very people who should have protected him, left to die in the cold shadow of the passing trains.
He had no name, at least not that he could remember. It didn’t matter anymore. His world had shrunk to the unforgiving stretch of railroad tracks that seemed to go on forever, an endless void that mirrored the hollow pit in his chest. The pain was excruciating, his body crying out with every breath, but still, he clung to life with a flickering ember of hope. The hope that someone, anyone, would find him and help him. But no one had come. Not yet.
His body trembled, every muscle aching as he tried to lift his head, his cloudy eyes scanning the surroundings. He could still hear the distant whistle of the trains in the distance, a reminder of the world moving on without him. He had been left behind, forgotten, as if his life had meant nothing to those who had once cared for him. But he was still here, still fighting, still breathing, even though the battle felt like it was slipping away from him with every passing second.
His mind wandered back to what had happened before—before the pain, before the darkness that surrounded him now. He remembered the hands that had once held him gently, the voice that had called him with kindness. He remembered playing in the yard, running through the grass, feeling the wind rush past him as he chased after balls and sticks. He had been a happy dog once. But those days were far behind him now.
Somewhere along the way, something had changed. He had become a burden to those who once cared for him. He had outgrown his usefulness, and as soon as he was no longer seen as a companion, but as a chore, they had discarded him. He had been abandoned on the side of the road, left to fend for himself, and in his weakened state, he had wandered until he found himself here, by the tracks. There had been no food, no shelter, no safety—just the cold, the pain, and the desolation.
His chest heaved as he tried to take in a breath, each inhalation sending a jolt of pain through his body. His leg throbbed, a constant, pulsing reminder of the injury that had rendered him immobile. He tried to shift, to move, but his strength had long since left him. He felt weak, so incredibly weak, and as the night pressed down upon him, he knew he wouldn’t last much longer if no one came.
He let out a soft whimper, the only sound he could manage, and it echoed in the silence of the night. The moon hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the scene, but the only other sound was the distant rattle of the train tracks. Time seemed to stretch on forever, each second feeling like an eternity. His eyelids fluttered, and for a moment, he thought he might close them for good. His body was exhausted, and the darkness of unconsciousness beckoned him like a comforting embrace. But he couldn’t give up. Not yet. Not when there was still a tiny spark of hope deep within him.
With a last, desperate attempt, he lifted his head a little higher, his eyes searching the vast emptiness around him. He could feel his body shutting down, but there was still a part of him that refused to give in completely. He didn’t want to die here, alone, forgotten, left by the tracks. He wanted to feel the warmth of a hand on his head again, the comfort of being cared for. He wanted to live, to experience the world once more, to have just one more chance at happiness.
But as the minutes stretched into hours, and the darkness deepened, his resolve began to fade. He felt himself slipping, his body growing colder by the second. The whimpering cries that had escaped his throat became softer, until they were barely audible. His body trembled uncontrollably, not just from the cold, but from the unbearable weight of his pain.
He could feel the grip of unconsciousness pulling him closer, and for a brief moment, he wondered if it would all end soon. If the pain would finally stop, if the emptiness inside would disappear, and if he could just rest, free from the suffering. It was a thought that comforted him, even as he fought to hold on for a little while longer.
Suddenly, there was a sound—a distant crackling, the crunch of gravel beneath boots, the faintest rustle of movement in the distance. His ears perked up, and his heart quickened, though the pain was almost unbearable. Could it be? Could someone finally be coming to help him?
His vision blurred as he strained to lift his head, his eyes searching desperately for the source of the sound. He couldn’t be sure, but something inside him told him to hold on just a little longer, that someone might finally be coming. The sound grew louder, closer, and then, through the haze of his fading consciousness, he saw a figure approaching.
But before he could make sense of it, everything around him began to fade. His vision went dark, his hearing muffled, and his body finally gave in. The last thing he remembered was the faint echo of footsteps, the hope that someone had come for him.
And then, there was nothing.
The 2024 Genesis G80 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are 5-passenger midsize luxury sedans bristling with posh amenities. These include heated and ventilated seats, air suspension systems, surround-sound speakers, and expansive infotainment screens.
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It also goes without saying that these two sedans know a thing or two about getting down the road smoothly and confidently. Their not-too-big and not-too-small proportions mean they’re easy to maneuver yet deliver adult-friendly accommodations no matter where you’re seated.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable attributes of the Genesis G80 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
2024 Genesis G80
The 2024 Genesis G80 rolls into a new model year with some sizable updates. First, all-wheel drive is now standard on all models. Second, a 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission performs duty as the base drivetrain. A 252-hp turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder served in this role previously.
As before, the 3.5 T model is fitted with a 375-hp twin-turbo V6. We’re all for extra ponies, though we think the base drivetrain is already an overachiever in being one of the most potent standard engines among midsize luxury sedans. Pricing starts at $55,650, including a factory-to-dealer destination charge.
Genesis G80 Highlights
Warranty coverage: The warranties affixed to the Genesis G80 outshine even Mercedes’ coverage. A 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty complements the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. Genesis also includes three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
Lexicon stereo: Optional in 2.5T models with the turbo 4-cylinder and standard on the 3.5T with the twin-turbo V6, a Lexicon 21-speaker and 1,050-watt audio system delivers incredible sound. Peek under the front seats; you’ll find this serves as home to a pair of subwoofers.
Highway Driving Assist 2: This semi-autonomous highway driving assist system is standard on every Genesis G80. Using driver aids like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, it delivers a degree of autonomy to reduce driver fatigue. It’s not a hands-free unit like some others, though we’ve found it very effective during many miles of road tests.
Value: Numbers don’t lie; the Genesis G80 is substantially less expensive than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Factor in the many standard comfort and safety features, not to mention great warranty, and the G80 is a luxury sedan that’s suddenly a great bargain, too.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the G80 models near you.
2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The 2024 model year marks the introduction of the sixth generation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan. Sleeker than before and bristling with futuristic touches — like onboard AI and giant touchscreens — this new E-Class pushes the envelope when it comes to tech. OK, maybe we could live without the in-car selfie feature (yes, it’s a thing). But the point is Mercedes has nudged the E-Class even closer to its biggest and most prestigious sedan, the S-Class.
Motivating the E350 4Matic is a 255-hp turbo 4-cylinder paired with a 9-speed automatic. This powertrain delivers a brisk 6.1 second 0-60 mph time. Under the hood of the E450 4Matic is a 375-hp turbo inline-6 that performs the same run in a speedy 4.4 seconds. Both engines benefit from fuel-saving mild-hybrid hardware, and each comes with all-wheel drive.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Highlights
Superscreen: Sci-fi fans will love the available Superscreen in the E-Class. An enormous glass panel covers two large infotainment screens — one in the middle of the dash and one in front of the passenger seat. There is also a separate digital instrument panel in front of the driver. Improved voice commands, augmented-reality navigation, and Zoom video conferencing capability (when parked) are just some of this Mercedes’ incredible arsenal of tech features.
Air suspension: The E350 and E450 offer an air suspension system that can be substituted for the standard steel-spring arrangement. This provides a serene, magic carpet-like ride that easily shrugs off any road imperfections.
Burmester audio: Like the Genesis G80, the E-Class delivers its own premium listening experience. The Pinnacle trim includes a 17-speaker Burmester audio system. Dolby Atmos surround-sound tech, along with speakers tucked into the front headrests and ceiling, conspire to provide amazing sound quality.
Digital Light: Available high-definition adaptive headlights provide intense guiding light without dazzling other drivers. These headlamps can also project alert symbols onto the road to notify the driver of unintended lane changes or oncoming road hazards.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the E-Class models near you.
Similarities
A delight to drive and bursting with amenities, the Genesis G80 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class feel as much like 5-star resorts as they do a means of getting from Point A to Point B. And similar to a dreamy stay at an elegant resort, they both feel worth every penny.
Conclusion
At this level of the automotive world, it’s hard to go wrong. The Genesis G80 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are refined, spacious, and entertaining to drive. Of the two, the E-Class holds the advantage in terms of tech touches, fuel economy, cargo space, and ride comfort (especially with the optional air suspension).
On the other hand, the G80 looks sharp, the base model is thousands less, and there’s class-leading warranty coverage. Which would we choose? The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is for those who want all the shiny new things, and the Genesis G80 is for those who appreciate luxury but also respect great value.
| 2024 Genesis G80 | 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | |
| Starting Price | $55,650 | $63,450 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cyl. | Turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cyl. |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 255 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm | 295 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 22 city/30 highway/25 combined | 24 city/33 highway/27 combined |
| Also Available | Twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 | Turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | N/R |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 118.5 inches | 116.6 inches |
| Overall Length | 196.7 inches | 194.9 inches |
| Width (without mirrors) | 75.8 inches | N/A |
| Height | 57.7 inches | 57.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.1 feet | N/A |
| Headroom, Front | 41.1 inches | 37.3 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.2 inches | 37.6 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.2 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.7 inches | 36.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 58.3 inches | 57.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 57.1 inches | 57.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 13.1 cubic feet | 12.7 cubic feet |