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Chapter 19:
"Are you sure you don't want to come, Sofia?" Eleanor asked, her voice thick with concern as she gently placed a hand on Sofia's shoulder. Her eyes were filled with a quiet longing, a silent plea to spend time together as a family. "We've planned some lovely excursions, and it's been ages since we had a family vacation. It would do you good to take a break."
Sofia, her gaze focused on the stack of patient charts in front of her, sighed softly. She felt the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her. "I wish I could, Mom," she replied, her voice tinged with regret. "But I'm swamped at the hospital. There's just so much going on right now." The demands of her profession seemed never-ending, and the thought of leaving her patients unsettled her. She had made a promise to herself when she became a doctor: she would always be there for those who needed her.
Charles, sitting across from them, leaned forward, his voice calm and understanding. "You're always so dedicated to your work," he said with quiet pride. "We understand, sweetheart. But enjoy your time in Canada, and when we get back, we'll tell you all about it. Take care of yourself."
Sofia smiled, her heart swelling with a mixture of gratitude and guilt. She loved her family—both biological and adoptive—and cherished the moments they spent together. But her work as a doctor had become her calling, her purpose. The lives she touched, the people she helped, that was where she truly felt at home. Still, the thought of missing out on the family trip lingered in her mind.
"I'll miss you all," Sofia said sincerely, her voice thick with warmth. "Have a wonderful time. I'll be here, thinking of you."
"We will," Eleanor said, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "And we'll bring you back some souvenirs. Something special, just for you."
As the Crawfords prepared to board their flight to Canada, Sofia felt a bittersweet pang in her chest. They had made the decision to go without her, understanding the importance of her work, but she couldn't shake the feeling of being left behind. Still, she knew they'd be safe and happy, and that comforted her. With a deep breath, Sofia turned back to her desk, her mind already returning to the task at hand.
The hospital was a whirlwind of activity, as it always was. Sofia slipped back into her routine, consulting with patients, making rounds, responding to emergencies. Despite the long hours and the unrelenting pace, there was a sense of fulfillment she couldn't find anywhere else. Each case she encountered, each life she touched, reminded her why she had chosen this path. She was where she was meant to be.
Later that evening, as Sofia prepared to leave for the day, the serenity of the hospital to go homeand rest. At the restaurant where she had dinner at the front A shrill scream pierced the air, followed by a chaotic flurry of panicked shouts. Sofia's heart skipped a beat, and she turned toward the source of the commotion. The waiting area had erupted into chaos, with people scrambling for cover, their faces contorted with fear.
And then she saw her.
A young girl, no older than twelve, was lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Her face was ashen, her eyes closed, and blood stained the white tiles beneath her like a spreading crimson pool. The sight of it was jarring, a violent contrast to the sterile cleanliness of the hospital. Sofia's breath caught in her throat.
"What happened?" Sofia gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.
"She was hit by a bullet," a man shouted from the crowd, his face twisted in horror. "No one knows where it came from, but she's been shot!"
Panic surged through the waiting area. The once calm and controlled space had descended into chaos. People screamed, rushing to the exits, knocking over chairs and tables in their scramble to escape the unknown threat. Sofia's heart raced in her chest as she scanned the scene. The sense of fear in the air was palpable, thick with the desperation of the frightened crowd.
"Sofia, stay back!" a nurse yelled, her voice panicked as she grabbed at her arm. "It's not safe! We don't know where the shot came from!"
But Sofia, her training and instincts kicking in, couldn't move. She couldn't leave this girl alone. Her thoughts were a blur, but her actions were deliberate. She was a doctor. She was the one who had the ability to help. She had to act.
"I'm a doctor!" Sofia shouted, her voice cutting through the noise. "Please, let me help!"
Her words seemed to command the attention of the crowd, parting it like the Red Sea. She made her way through the panic-stricken people, her focus entirely on the young girl lying motionless on the floor. Her hands trembled slightly as she knelt beside the girl, checking for a pulse. Her heart pounded in her chest as she felt the faint thrum of life beneath her fingertips, but the pulse was weak, the girl's breathing shallow and labored.
"We need an ambulance, now!" Sofia called out, her voice authoritative as she looked around for help.
A man rushed forward, panic in his eyes but determination in his actions. "I'll call for help," he said, his voice wavering slightly. "They're on their way."
Sofia nodded, taking a deep breath as she assessed the situation. The girl was in critical condition, but she could help her. She had to.
Her gaze moved quickly over the girl's body, searching for signs of injury. A small wound on her shoulder was the source of the blood, a clean entry point, but it was bleeding rapidly.
"We need to stop the bleeding," Sofia said firmly, her voice steady despite the chaos around her. "Someone, get me a clean cloth!"
A woman stepped forward, her face pale but resolute. She handed Sofia a handkerchief, which Sofia pressed firmly against the wound, applying pressure to slow the bleeding. Her hands were steady, but her heart raced as she whispered to the girl, her voice gentle and calming.
"Stay with me, sweetheart," Sofia murmured, her voice soothing. "Help is on its way. You're going to be okay."
The girl's eyes fluttered open, her pupils dilated in pain and fear. She moaned softly, her face contorted in agony as she tried to speak. Sofia's heart clenched, but she kept her voice calm, trying to reassure her patient.
"It's okay," Sofia whispered, her hands trembling as she pressed harder against the wound. "You're going to be alright. Just stay with me. Help is almost here."
The sound of sirens filled the air, growing louder and more distinct with each passing second. Sofia felt a wave of relief wash over her as the distant sound of the ambulance grew nearer. She would stay with the girl until the paramedics arrived, offering comfort and support, doing everything she could to save her life.
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