"Are you sure you don't want to come, Sofia?" Eleanor asked, her voice laced with concern. "We've planned some lovely excursions, and it's been ages since we had a family vacation."
Sofia, her gaze fixed on the stack of patient charts on her desk, shook her head. "I wish I could, Mom," she said, her voice tinged with regret. "But I'm swamped at the hospital. There's just so much going on right now."
"You're always so dedicated to your work," Charles said, his voice filled with a quiet pride. "We understand, sweetheart. Enjoy your time in Canada, and we'll tell you all about it when we get back."
Sofia smiled, her heart filled with a mixture of gratitude and guilt. She loved her family, both biological and adoptive, and she cherished the time she spent with them. But her work as a doctor was her passion, her calling, and she couldn't bear the thought of leaving her patients, her colleagues, her responsibilities.
"I'll miss you all," she said, her voice filled with a genuine warmth. "Have a wonderful time."
"We will," Eleanor said, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "And we'll bring you back some souvenirs."
As the Crawfords boarded their flight to Canada, Sofia settled back into her routine at the hospital. She had a long shift ahead of her, filled with consultations, rounds, and emergencies. But she was happy, fulfilled, her heart brimming with a sense of purpose.
Later that evening, as Sofia was about to leave the hospital, a commotion erupted in the waiting area. A scream pierced the air, followed by a flurry of panicked shouts. Sofia turned, her heart pounding in her chest, and saw a young girl lying on the floor, her face pale, her eyes closed. Blood was staining the pristine white tiles, spreading outwards like a crimson stain.
"What happened?" Sofia gasped, her voice barely audible.
"She was hit by a bullet," a man nearby shouted, his face etched with horror. "No one knows where it came from."
Chaos erupted. People screamed and scrambled for cover, their faces contorted with fear. The air filled with the stench of panic, the sound of frantic footsteps echoing through the waiting area.
"Sofia, stay back!" a nurse shouted, her voice laced with panic. "It's not safe!"
But Sofia couldn't move. Her eyes were fixed on the girl, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that she had to help, that she couldn't just stand there and watch. She was a doctor, her training kicking in, her instincts taking over.
"I'm a doctor," Sofia shouted, pushing through the crowd. "Please, let me help!"
She reached the girl, her hands trembling slightly. She checked for a pulse, her fingers searching for a sign of life. The girl was unconscious, her breathing shallow, her skin clammy and cold.
"We need an ambulance!" Sofia shouted, her voice ringing out above the chaos.
The crowd parted, creating a pathway for her. A man rushed forward, his face etched with concern. "I'll call for help," he said, his voice trembling slightly.
Sofia took a deep breath, her mind racing. She had to stabilize the girl, to ensure that she received the medical attention she needed. She checked for any signs of injury, her eyes scanning the girl's body. She found a small wound on her shoulder, the source of the bleeding.
"We need to stop the bleeding," Sofia said, her voice firm and steady. "Someone, get me a clean cloth!"
A woman nearby rushed forward, her face pale but determined. She handed Sofia a clean handkerchief. Sofia pressed it against the wound, applying pressure to stem the flow of blood.
"Stay with me, sweetheart," Sofia whispered, her voice soft and reassuring. "Help is on its way."
The girl's eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting Sofia's. She moaned softly, her face contorted with pain.
"It's okay," Sofia said, her voice filled with a calm reassurance. "You're going to be alright."
The sound of sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder with each passing second. Sofia felt a wave of relief wash over her. Help was on its way. She would stay with the girl, to provide comfort and support, until the paramedics arrived. She would do everything in her power to save her life.