Chapter 8 - The Second Attempt
The aircraft climbed sharply through the storm.
Loose objects shifted across tray tables. Several passengers gasped as the engines roared, forcing the plane away from the rain-covered runway below.
Elena tightened both arms around Lucia.
The monitor alarm continued beeping.
The physician beside her adjusted the oxygen flow.
"Her saturation is falling again."
"How bad?" Elena asked.
The doctor didn't answer immediately.
That silence frightened her more than any number could have.
Adrian stood in the aisle, gripping the top of the seat as turbulence shook the cabin.
The captain's voice came through the speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the landing was discontinued due to sudden wind shear. We will circle and make another approach when conditions permit."
Elena looked toward the window.
"How long?"
The flight attendant touched her headset.
"Possibly twenty minutes."
"We don't have twenty minutes," the doctor said.
The attendant's expression tightened.
She hurried toward the cockpit.
Adrian took the satellite handset again.
"Connect me to airport emergency services."
The flight attendant glanced at him.
"The cockpit is already coordinating."
"I need the medical team to understand exactly what is waiting onboard."
The call connected seconds later.
Adrian spoke with calm authority.
"Eight-month-old infant. Congenital cardiac defect. Unstable oxygen saturation. She requires pediatric cardiac support immediately after landing."
The dispatcher asked several questions.
Adrian repeated the doctor’s answers without hesitation.
Elena watched him.
He no longer looked like a distant businessman.
He looked like someone who had lived this nightmare before.
Someone who knew how quickly hope could disappear.
The physician checked Lucia's pulse again.
"Her heart rate is increasing."
Elena kissed the baby's forehead.
"Stay with me."
Lucia's eyes opened weakly.
For one brief moment, she looked directly at her mother.
Then they closed again.
Elena began crying.
Adrian knelt beside her.
"The ambulance is waiting."
"What if we can't land?"
"We will."
"You don't know that."
"No," Adrian admitted. "But I know everyone on this plane is trying."
Several passengers nearby heard him.
The businessman across the aisle raised his voice.
"Is there anything we can do?"
The doctor looked toward the surrounding rows.
"We need more space."
Without hesitation, passengers unfastened their seat belts and moved when instructed, clearing three rows around Elena.
Blankets were folded into support cushions.
A nurse seated near the rear joined the doctor.
A father gave up a travel pillow.
An elderly woman held Elena's bag.
Nobody complained.
Nobody stared with irritation anymore.
The crying baby who had once disturbed their sleep had become the only thing that mattered.
The captain announced the second approach.
This time, the cabin lights dimmed completely.
Through the windows, the runway appeared again.
The aircraft descended.
Wind pushed against the wings.
The tires moved closer to the ground.
Lucia's monitor sounded continuously.
Then the wheels struck the runway with a violent impact.
The plane bounced once.
Twice.
Finally, it remained down.
May you like
But Lucia stopped crying completely.
And Elena suddenly realized that silence was far more terrifying than any scream.
