Page 106 of Fragile Lives

“Alright.” He nods. “The nearest hospital that can handle this type of wound is forty minutes away, and we don’t have resources to deliver him faster or to a better hospital. So be prepared.”

I nod and pull my phone out of my pocket, grateful that I told myself to stick it back in my pocket before. Finding the right contact, I hit ‘dial.’

“Are you okay?”A familiar male voice asks.

“He was already there when you called.”

“Fuck.”

“My fiancé was shot.” A little white lie to speed up the process. “And I want to ask for a favor.”

A deal with the devil would never feel more justified than right now.

“Done.”His voice turns serious as usual when he feels the situation is not to joke about. “What do you need?”

“I need a chopper to meet us on the road not far from Little Hope and fly us to the largest nearest hospital.”

“When do you need the chopper?”

“Five minutes ago.”

“Hmm.”He clicks his tongue.“I’ll call you back.”

I drop the phone on my lap and squeeze Stephan’s hand. Feeling curious stares on me, I look around to find both paramedics looking at me with wide eyes.

My phone rings and I hit ‘accept’ and transfer it to the speaker without dropping Stephan’s hand. I don’t think I’ll ever want to leave his side now.

“I pinged your phone. Keep driving. The chopper will meet you down the road in about ten minutes. There is a big opening in about two and a half miles. I found someone already in the air; they’re on the way.”

“Thank you,” I say, relieved.

“Good luck, little Leila.”

The phone goes dead, and I look up to find even more surprised stares on me.

“Do you know what we could do with those types of resources?”

“I know,” I answer and move Stephan’s hair out of his eyes.

One of the guys explains the instructions to the driver, and in about two miles, the sound of a chopper sounds nearby. As promised, it’s waiting for us at the large opening on the hill. They transfer Stephan inside, and one of the paramedics jumps in the helicopter with us.

When we’re are at the hospital ten minutes later, a huge team of medical staff is waiting for us on the roof. They all come close when it’s time to transfer Stephan to the bed they brought with them.

“Hey. You must be Leila?” A tall gentleman with a kind smile and full head of starch white hair addresses me.

“Yes?”

“I’m Doctor Liberman. You must have friends in high places if I’m here right now, specially taking me away from lunch with my wife.” His eyebrow quirks up as we all move toward the elevator. Well, the two of us are moving slowly, but the rest of the team is rushing. I made a move to go with them, but they quickly stopped me and directed me to Dr. Liberman’s side.

“I’m sorry,” I reply automatically, not feeling an ounce of remorse.

“I’ll take care of him.”

“Thank you.”

He disappears inside the elevator with the team, and I stay on the roof.

A hand lands on my shoulder and gently nudges me toward the elevator. “Let’s go. I’ll walk you to the surgery room.”