Chapter 9 - The Race Across the Runway
The aircraft had barely slowed before emergency vehicles surrounded it.
Blue lights flashed through the rain.
Inside the cabin, the doctor leaned close to Lucia's face.
"She's breathing, but it's shallow."
Elena's entire body trembled.
The flight attendant opened the forward door as soon as the plane stopped.
Cold air rushed inside.
A medical team entered with a stretcher, oxygen equipment, and a compact cardiac monitor.
They moved quickly through the aisle.
Passengers pressed themselves against the seats to create space.
A paramedic lifted Lucia from Elena's arms.
For the first time since boarding, Elena had nothing to hold.
She felt empty.
"Where are you taking her?"
"University Children's Hospital."
"I'm coming."
The paramedic nodded.
Elena tried to stand, but her legs failed.
Adrian caught her before she fell.
"I can't feel my feet," she whispered.
"That's exhaustion."
"I have to go with her."
"You will."
He supported her through the aisle.
As they passed, passengers reached out.
Some touched Elena's arm.
Others whispered encouragement.
The businessman handed Adrian the stuffed rabbit.
"Don't forget this."
Adrian placed it inside Elena's bag.
Near the exit, the elderly woman who had defended Elena earlier held her hand.
"Your daughter is stronger than this night."
Elena tried to answer.
No words came.
Outside, the rain struck hard.
The ambulance waited only a few meters away.
Lucia was placed inside while the medical team connected new equipment.
Elena climbed in beside her.
Adrian followed.
A paramedic blocked him.
"Family only."
Elena looked toward Adrian.
"Please."
The single word was enough.
"He's with me."
The paramedic allowed him inside.
The doors closed.
The ambulance moved before Adrian had fully taken his seat.
Sirens cut through the storm.
Elena stared at Lucia's face.
The baby looked impossibly small beneath the oxygen mask.
Adrian watched the monitor.
He recognized the rhythm.
He had stared at similar numbers beside Sophie's hospital bed years earlier.
A memory returned without warning.
Sophie asking whether stars could hear prayers.
Sophie laughing when he said he didn't know.
Sophie telling him that fathers were supposed to know everything.
Adrian forced himself back into the present.
Elena noticed his expression.
"You don't have to stay."
"Yes, I do."
"Why?"
He looked toward Lucia.
"Because someone should have stayed with me."
The ambulance turned sharply.
The medic spoke into a radio.
"Prepare pediatric cardiac stabilization. Patient deteriorating."
Elena gripped the edge of the stretcher.
"Deteriorating?"
The medic continued working.
Adrian reached for Elena's hand.
She held it immediately.
The hospital appeared through the rain.
A team waited beneath bright entrance lights.
As the ambulance stopped, the doors opened.
Lucia was rushed inside.
Elena ran after her.
A doctor intercepted them.
"We need to take her directly to intensive care."
"Can I go with her?"
"Not yet."
The doors closed between Elena and her daughter.
A red light illuminated above them.
Restricted access.
Elena stood frozen in the corridor.
Then her knees gave way.
Adrian caught her again.
Before either could speak, another man approached quickly in surgical scrubs.
Gray hair.
Tired eyes.
May you like
A familiar face from Adrian's past.
Dr. Julian Harrow had arrived in Iceland.
