Midnight and a Sunrise

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Midnight

The relentless search for Annie continued around the clock, with rescuers working tirelessly through the day and night. Despite the significant progress made and numerous survivors found, Annie remained elusive. The combined efforts of elite rescuers, private firefighters, and advanced technology from GL Electronics had yet to yield the desired outcome.

As midnight approached, a collective sense of urgency permeated the rescue site. The machine from GL Electronics, capable of detecting body heat and heartbeats through thick walls and debris, suddenly beeped. The piercing sound broke through the tense silence, drawing the attention of everyone present.

On the monitor, the rescuers saw the heat signature of a person shielding a smaller figure—a child. The child's heartbeat was strong and steady, but the larger figure's heartbeat was weak, barely detectable. The rescuers knew they had to act fast.

Focus all efforts on that corner!" Captain Lee commanded, his voice resolute. The elite rescuers, private firefighters, drones, and helicopters converged on the location, working in unison to remove the debris as quickly and safely as possible.

With each passing minute, the anticipation grew. At 1:00 a.m., after hours of painstaking effort, they finally uncovered the figures. There, amidst the rubble, they found Annie, her body shielding a young child. The scene was heart-wrenching; Annie had risked everything to protect the child.

As the rescuers gently lifted the child from Annie's grasp, the child cried out, "Help her! She's not waking up!" The rescuers moved swiftly, lifting Annie's unconscious form from the debris. The machine couldn't detect her heartbeat, prompting immediate action.

Elite nurses and doctors who had been on standby rushed to Annie's side. Dr. Lee leading the medical team, quickly assessed her condition. "She has a heartbeat, but it's very slow," he said, his voice tense. Suddenly, the heartbeat stopped.

Prepare the AED!" Dr. Lee ordered. The medical team worked with precision, applying the defibrillator pads and administering the first shock. No response. They tried again. Still nothing. On the third attempt, the machine delivered another jolt, and Annie's heart began to beat again.

She's back!" Dr. Lee announced, relief evident in his voice. They wasted no time, placing Annie on a stretcher and transporting her to the waiting ambulance. Ken, staying close to Annie, climbed into the ambulance, holding her hand tightly.

"Hang in there, Annie," he whispered, his eyes filled with tears. "We're going to get you to the hospital."

The ambulance raced to Seoul Hospital, arriving at the VIP section on the top floor. Dr. Luke, the CEO and owner of the hospital and Lev's husband, had prepared the emergency team for Annie's arrival. As they wheeled her into the operating room, Ken, Annie's parents, and her friends—Lev, Ashley, Sophie, and Patricia—waited anxiously.

Dr. Luke approached Annie's parents, his expression serious yet reassuring. "We'll do everything in our power to help Annie. We have the best technology and a team of elite specialists ready."

Turning to Ken, Dr. Luke offered a firm handshake. "Nice to meet you, Ken. I wish it were under better circumstances."

Ken nodded, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you, Dr. Luke. Please, save her."

Dr. Luke placed a comforting hand on Ken's shoulder. "We will do everything we can. Annie is in the best hands."

As Annie was wheeled into the operating room, her friends and family gathered together, supporting one another through the long wait. The live broadcast continued, showing the unwavering support and determination of Annie's friends and the heroic efforts of the rescuers and medical team.

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