In the dim morning light, the KV5 excavation team had gathered at the excavation site. The dark clouds rolling over the site gave the team members a sense of insecurity. But they tried to stay calm and work as usual.
Dr. Hassan stood on the nearest dune from the excavation tent and looked at all his team members. He then shouted. "Remember, safety comes first! Storms can be deadly. Stay alert!"
Ryan nodded at Dr. Hassan's advice and then shouldered his backpack. All of the team members received radios and headphones from Dr. Maria.
"Keep in touch, team. We'll keep monitoring the weather." Dr. Hassan urged.
Dr. Matt squinted, staring at the sky. "Those clouds look bad," he asked Dr. Hassan. "Should we postpone our excavation today?"
After hesitating for a moment, Dr. Hassan said. "We will proceed with caution." However, be ready to evacuate at the right moment.
Ryan adjusted his safety helmet and prepared to face the uncertainty in this excavation.
"Let's move quickly, team." We don't have much time," shouted Dr. Hassan.
Suddenly, a very strong wind blew at the excavation site just as they entered the tomb, making the scaffolding wood creak with a frightening sound.
Then it happened, a loud crack echoed inside the tomb and made everyone's heart skip a beat. The wooden beams supporting the tomb's walls broke and the scaffolding collapsed.
And Dr. Rose who was close to the scaffolding screamed loudly. She lost her balance and then fell into the excavation hole and landed on her back, right on top of the debris of the collapsed scaffolding.
Ryan felt his heart drop. But he quickly ran to Dr. Rose and climbed into the hole, fear gripping him.
"Call for medical help!" Dr. Hassan shouted as he rushed into the hole. "Someone get a first aid kit!"
Dr. Maria ran out of the tomb and tried to contact the medical team through the communication station in the excavation tent. "We need an ambulance, now!"
The rest of the team froze but then moved quickly. Some climbed into the hole with him, others grabbed emergency medical supplies.
Ryan approached Dr. Rose cautiously. "Don't move, Doctor." "You will be fine," he whispered, trying to keep his voice calm.
Dr. Rose groaned in pain. "My back... I can't feel my legs either."
Ryan panicked. Dr. Hassan, who was also squatting next to Ryan, said. "We need to stabilize his back," he said. "Make his neck and body stable, not moving."
Ryan nodded and then took the first aid kit from another team member who had just arrived with the kit. He then carefully placed the collar around Dr. Rose's neck.
Then Dr. Maria returned and spoke from above the dugout. "The ambulance is on its way. But they're going to be a little slow getting here. The storm is getting stronger."
Ryan held Dr. Rose's hand and tried to calm her down. "Help is coming, Doctor. Hang in there."
Dr. Rose's eyes slowly closed, her face very pale.
Moments later, Dr. Hassan, who had been listening to the reports from the other team members, shouted. "We have to evacuate—now! The storm is getting worse!"
The entire team moved quickly. Ryan, Dr. Matt, and Brandon carefully lifted Dr. Rose onto the stretcher. "Keep his back straight!" Dr. Hassan warned.
Then they struggled against the strong wind after leaving the grave. Ryan positioned his body so that his upper body shielded Dr. Rose from the heavy rain. Heavy raindrops hit Ryan's face, and he felt pain and his vision blurred. "Hold on a little longer, Doctor!" he urged Dr. Rose with a hint of desperation.
Fortunately, the ambulance arrived shortly after. Its lights shone into the darkened yard due to the storm. Dr. Hassan opened the back door roughly. "Slow down, now!" he ordered.
The team member guiding the stretcher then moved the stretcher into the ambulance. The nurse who was waiting inside gave Dr. Rose oxygen. Dr. Maria jumped up and sat next to Dr. Rose.
Dr. Hassan told the nurse in the ambulance. "Notify the hospital! Spinal cord injury, possible paralysis! We will follow to the hospital immediately." The nurse nodded and Dr. Hassan closed the back door of the ambulance.
***
Almost all of the KV5 team were at the hospital and crowded the waiting room, their expressions all worried. They paced back and forth, exchanging glances without anyone speaking out loud.
Ryan's mind replayed the chaos of the accident without him wanting to.
The neurosurgeon at the hospital, Dr. Shina, came out of the emergency room. Her face was grim. "Dr. Rose has a severe spinal injury: C5-C6 fracture and potential spinal cord damage. Surgery is required immediately," she explained.
The team's guilty silence. They exchanged another worried glance.
Ryan bowed his head, guilt overwhelming him. "This should have been prevented," he whispered to Dr. Maria, who was standing next to him.
Dr. Maria placed her hand on Ryan's shoulder. "Accidents can happen at any time, Ryan."
Dr. Hassan's expression darkened. "First, we must provide the best care for Dr. Rose. Then, we will review our safety protocols. This accident has provided us with a very valuable lesson."
Dr. Maria nodded. "We need to review and improve our standard operating procedures."
Dr. Matt also placed his hand on Ryan's back. "We're in this together. We will help and support Dr. Rose's recovery together."
All the team members nodded at Dr. Matt's words, but everyone was still a bit scared.
As Dr. Rose went into surgery, the team waited.
***
Dr. Shina emerged from the operating room. "The surgery was a success. The damage to Dr. Rose's spinal cord was minimal."
A deep sigh filled the room, but the tension was still palpable.
"She will need extensive rehabilitation, but we are optimistic she will be able to make a full recovery." We will take turns watching over her closely for the next 24-48 hours." continued Dr. Shina.
Both of Ryan's eyes looked relieved as he hugged Dr. Maria. "Thank God!"
Dr. Hassan still looked gloomy. He said. "We owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Shina and her hospital."
Dr. Shina led them to the ICU. Dr. Rose lay motionless and unconscious, surrounded by beeping monitors.
"You're going to be okay, Doctor." Ryan gently squeezed her hand.
"At that time, worse things could have happened," whispered Dr. Maria. "We really need to improve our standard operating procedures."
Dr. Matt nodded without saying anything.
Dr. Shina assured them that Dr. Rose would receive the best care they could provide. "You all better focus on getting through this."
She then left to attend to another patient.
***
The KV5 team members walked tiredly from the villa parking lot to their villa in Luxor.
Ryan collapsed on the living room couch, his mind replaying the events of the accident that morning. Dr. Rose's terrified screams echoed in his ears. The crack of the scaffolding breaking, and his own fear when trying to save her.
He rubbed his tired eyes, despair creeping up on him.
Dr. Maria sat beside him with a worried expression on her face. "Ryan, are you okay?"
Ryan clasped his hands together and spoke softly. "I keep thinking about what just happened... and I keep wondering if only I could stop time."
Dr. Maria is silent. Then she said. "Let's take a break." Tomorrow we need to gather and review our standard operating procedures.
Ryan nodded and went to his room.
Tomorrow there has to be a change. It has to be.