Unbreakable Duty

Dreams and Memories

Earn's POV

As Fahlada was lifted onto the stretcher, Earn's heart pounded in her chest. She could barely breathe, her mind was haywire in disbelief and fear. Fahlada had always been the unshakable person in her everyday life—the one who faced danger with an almost inhuman calm. But now, seeing her bloodied and broken, Earn felt that pillar crumbling. 

Lieutenant Tan stood beside her, his face set in a grim mask, but his eyes betrayed his worry for his friend. Field Medic Rossami was working swiftly, her hands moving with practiced precision as she applied pressure to Fahlada's wound, trying to stem the flow of blood. Earn couldn't tear her eyes away from Fahlada's face - pale, drawn, and now so far from her usual stoic expression.

"Hold on, Cap," Rossami said, her voice steady despite the urgency of the situation. "We got you. You're going to be fine."

Earn felt herself nodding along with the medic's words as if doing so could somehow make them true. 

Fahlada's eyes fluttered open, just for a moment. Her gaze found Earn and a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips, but it was weak, so very weak. Earn reached out, but her fingers barely reached Fahlada's hand as the soldier's eyes began to close again, losing her consciousness.

"Lada!" Earn's voice cracked as she called out, her heart lurching. Panic surged through her, and she turned to the medic, her eyes pleading. "Is she going to be okay?"

Rossami didn't answer immediately, but her focus was still on stabilizing the captain. But the tension in her expression spoke volumes. "We're doing everything we can, Miss Sanithada," she finally said, her tone gentle but firm.

Lieutenant Tan, placed a hand on Earn's shoulder, trying to offer some comfort. "She's tough, Earn. She pulled this through before, she still can this time."

Earn nodded, but the fear gnawing at her insides refused to be soothed. She barely registered the rest of the scene around her - the flashing lights of emergency vehicles, the police and soldiers securing the area, and the distant hum of helicopters overhead. All that mattered was Fahlada, and the thin thread of hope that her bodyguard would survive.

The medics finally got Fahlada loaded into the ambulance, and without a second thought, Earn followed them in. She wasn't going to leave Fahlada's side, not for anything. The doors closed behind her with a heavy thud, sealing them in a cramped space as the vehicle sped toward Phramongkutklao Hospital.

Inside the ambulance, the world seemed to narrow down to the steady beep of the heart monitor and rhythmic gasps of the ventilator helping Fahlada to breathe. Rossami stayed focused, adjusting the IV and checking the readings, but Earn could see the concern in her features. The severity of the situation was written in every small, deliberate movement the medic made.

Earn's hands clenched tightly together in her lap, her knuckles white as she fought to keep her composure. She had never felt so helpless, so utterly powerless. All she could do was sit there and pray, her eyes locked on Fahlada's face, willing her to hold on.

The ride to the hospital felt like an eternity. When they finally arrived, the doors of the ambulance flew open, and the medical team was there, ready to take the Captain in. Earn stumbled after them, her legs shaky as she tried to keep up.

But when they reached the doors of the emergency room, a nurse stepped in her path, blocking her way. "I'm sorry, Miss Sanithada, but you cannot go any further. We need to take her in for immediate surgery. We'll take care of her."

Earn was left in front of the emergency room door. She stood there frozen, with her hands still outstretched as if she could somehow reach through the door.