Chapter 16 - One Flight, Two Children
The corridor outside the pediatric intensive care unit fell into complete silence.
Elena looked from Dr. Harrow to Adrian, hoping she had misunderstood.
"What do you mean... another child?"
Harrow rubbed his tired eyes before answering.
"An emergency transport left northern Scotland before the weather closed in. The aircraft is carrying a six-year-old boy with severe chest trauma after a highway accident."
Elena's heart tightened.
"So Dr. Voss is going to help him?"
"He has to evaluate both patients."
"At the same time?"
"Yes."
Harrow glanced toward Lucia through the glass.
"Dr. Voss is the only surgeon in this region with extensive experience treating both pediatric airway reconstruction and complex vascular compression."
Adrian frowned.
"How serious is the boy's condition?"
"The reports say he may not survive another transfer."
Elena slowly closed her eyes.
Another family.
Another frightened parent.
Another child fighting to stay alive.
For a moment she forgot her own fear and whispered,
"I hope he makes it."
Harrow looked at her with quiet admiration.
"Most parents wouldn't think about anyone else right now."
Elena shook her head.
"They're probably praying the same way I am."
At that moment, the elevator doors opened.
Two exhausted police officers entered, followed by a woman whose clothes were still stained with dried blood.
She looked barely able to stand.
Behind her walked a man holding the hand of a little girl no older than nine.
The girl's face was pale from crying.
"Mom?"
The woman forced a weak smile.
"He's still alive."
The little girl burst into tears.
Elena immediately understood.
This was the other family.
No introductions were necessary.
Pain recognized pain.
Across the hallway, their eyes met.
Neither woman smiled.
Neither spoke.
Yet both silently understood exactly what the other was carrying.
Adrian watched the scene unfold.
Years ago, he had been the father standing in that same hallway.
He remembered strangers avoiding eye contact because they didn't know what to say.
Today...
May you like
Nobody looked away.
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