Annyeongz One-shots

141. Path ( 2 )

Hours passed.

The emergency surgery finally came to an end.

The operating room doors slid open.

The trauma surgeon removed his surgical cap with a tired sigh before looking at the waiting staff.

"The operation was successful."

A wave of relief spread through the hallway.

"The wound to the left side of his chest wasn't a stab wound from another person," the surgeon explained. "A piece of twisted metal from the car penetrated beneath his left collarbone and into the upper left side of his chest. Fortunately, it missed his heart by only a few centimeters."

Several nurses quietly exhaled.

"He lost a dangerous amount of blood, but the transfusion stabilized him. His left shoulder muscles and ribs suffered significant trauma, and he'll need weeks of recovery."

The surgeon continued.

"There are no fractures in either leg. His spine is intact. There doesn't appear to be any permanent damage to his limbs."

Another doctor added,

"However..."

"He suffered a moderate concussion from the impact."

"The CT scan shows no life-threatening bleeding inside the brain, but we'll have to monitor him closely for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours."

"He may experience headaches, dizziness, memory gaps, sensitivity to light, or confusion after waking."

The surgeon nodded.

"For now, he'll remain under observation in the intensive care unit."

...

Meanwhile...

Wonyoung sat quietly in the staff lounge.

A small bandage covered the inside of her elbow where the blood had been drawn.

She looked exhausted.

One of the senior nurses placed a warm cup of tea in front of her.

"You should be proud."

Wonyoung looked up.

The nurse smiled gently.

"You helped save his life."

Wonyoung lowered her eyes.

She slowly signed,

Anyone would have done the same.

The nurse understood enough sign language to smile.

"Maybe."

"But you didn't hesitate."

Wonyoung simply looked down at her hands.

She remembered the stranger's calm expression when he had pulled her away from the speeding bus.

He hadn't hesitated either.

Early the next morning...

The first rays of sunlight entered the ICU.

Machines emitted soft, rhythmic beeps.

Yujin lay motionless in the hospital bed.

His head was wrapped with a light bandage.

Several bruises colored the left side of his face.

A thick dressing covered the wound just beneath his left collarbone and across the upper left side of his chest.