The Winter Clock

CHAPTER 1 - CLEAR!

The chaos did not yet cease though it has been more than five hours since they started the mission. The partner already retrieved the stolen treasure, but they were stuck in the building after a massive explosion.

“Bud, three o’clock!” Reina shouted. Ryther quickly shifted his position. He fired two shots upward and hit the man’s head and chest.

“You should have shot him, Bud. That was near!” Ryther sulked.

“Can’t you see that I’m bleeding?!” She held her wounded arm that stings so badly as fresh blood drips.

“You’re hurt?! I did not notice. You, okay?” He frowned. Ryther’s tone was controlled but anxious.

“Oh please, stop being dramatic.”

Another bomb exploded near them. They ran fast through the stairs up to the parking area. Unfortunately, the explosion affected a big portion of the building. Since the parking area was located on the highest floor, it was one of the first floors to be affected.

“Crap, we’re stuck!”

“Contact Mr. A,” Ryther commanded as he fire his F2000 at the three men following them. The men staggered down and fell flat on the floor. Reina felt her heart beats faster as she searches for her earpiece. It can’t be.

“I-I lost my earpiece,” Reina stuttered and looked at Ryther nervously.

“What?!” Ryther bit his lip. He then let out a heavy sigh and cursed under his tongue. Reina looked down and whispered, “Sorry.”

“It’s alright. We just need to get out- “

Ryther was cut by a sudden noise above them. A loud chuff can be heard, and a strong wind blew over them. Reina tightens her hug on her bag that contains the item that they retrieved and Ryther covered her.

“Silver Rose, Thorn!” An early middle-aged man shouted in a loud voice. “Quit your moments and get your butts in here!” He commanded. Reina and Ryther looked at him, each of them opened only one of their eyes. A huge helicopter hovered above them. “Faster!”

“Mr. A?!”

“I know you missed me, but we have no time to waste. Catch!” He threw a thick, heavy rope, allowing them to escape. Reina bit her bag and climbed first, followed by Ryther.

“Argh!” Ryther lost his grip when a hot bullet cut his shoulder. Luckily, he gained his composure and climb again. Then they felt their bodies leave the ground.

“Duck your head, boy!” Mr. A shouted as he fired his MG3 Machine Gun. Multiple rounds shot the group of men below them. “Go!” He shouted. The helicopter slipped to the side. Mr. A and two other men pulled up the rope Reina and Ryther hold unto. Suddenly, the helicopter flies faster. The airspeed was a hundred and fifty kilometers per hour.

“Hey, hey, Captain! We’re still here!” Ryther shouted, tightening his grip on the rope.

“Slow down, boy!” Mr. A shouted panicky.

“Sorry sir, but please hurry. We were bucking a strong headwind here!”

Mr. A hissed before pulling Reina up. Afterward, he pulled Ryther. “Good job.” He patted their shoulders. Ryther slipped himself on the rear seat and glanced at Reina who was kneeling on the floor, panting. “You two can rest tonight.” Mr. A said and checked the lost treasure. A necklace covered with rare painite and blue diamonds. He hissed.

“No. I’m on night shift tonight and since it’s Christmas Eve, I bet there will be a lot of traumatic patients.” She fetched for the first aid kit, removed her leather jacket, and tore her shirt sleeve. But before she can treat her wound, Ryther snatched the first aid kit from her.

“Hang in there, Silver. How can you treat your wound with your left hand?” Reina bit her lower lip as Ryther started to clean her wounds. “And what do you mean ‘no’? You were badly injured. You can’t help us operate in that state.”

“Thorn has a point, Silver-“ Mr. A was cut by Reina.

“Who said I am in a bad state? Look at yourself. You’re in a worse condition than me.” Reina retorted. “I only have two bullet wounds. You have three.”

“Shut up. These wounds are nothing.”

“How can two and three bullet wounds be nothing for you two? You crack heads.” Mr. A scratched his head. Reina was about to argue when her phone alarm rang.

“It’s fifteen minutes before our shift, Thorn.” She smiled. Ignoring Mr. A’s remark. “Captain, please drop us at the hospital’s rooftop!” She shouted. Ryther and Mr. A looked at each other. Both released a deep sigh in distress.

“How can you disobey your boss’ orders so easily?” He sighed in defeat.

Ten minutes after Reina and Ryther dressed each other’s wounds, Captain Gilbert dropped them at the rooftop of the Trauma Patient Medical Hospital or known as T.H.

It was a cold but eventful Christmas eve in Sydney, Australia. Exactly as Reina predicted, traumatic patients flooded the whole hospital. Patients from accidents, to be exact. Reina, an Anesthesiologist, Ryther, a General Surgeon, Vander, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon, and Natalie, a Perioperative Nurse were busy going in and out of the emergency and operating room. Another paramedic team entered the emergency room. The place was in chaos.

“Doctor! Where is Doctor Vander?!” The paramedic's head shouted. Her suit was covered with blood. “We have a critical case here.” The nurses hurriedly ran and assisted the paramedic teams. Loud sirens from the ambulances outside the hospital became the music of the night.

“Doctor Vander is operating right now-“

“I’m here. What’s the case?” Dr. Vander hurriedly ran towards them and interrupted the nurse.

“This man is in critical condition, Doctor. He was involved in an accident. His motorbike’s handlebar pierced his stomach. He is suffering from dyspnea and his pulse is weak.” The paramedic reported. Part of the handlebar was still pierced on the man’s stomach. Vander checked his eyes with his mini flashlight.

“Was he unconscious when he got here?” He asked as he continued to check the man.

“No. But he is drunk, Doctor.” Vander looked at her eyes. Panic and anxiousness filled her eyes.

“So, we are not sure if it’s the brain or the alcohol that’s causing the unconsciousness.” He checks him for the last time, and he saw that his breathing is slower than normal. He bit his lower lips. The operation will be risky. “Do you know his blood type?” he asked.

“A+, Doctor.”

“Have you called his family? This will be a risky operation.” The paramedic stopped for a moment before answering.

“I am… his wife.” Vander and the rest stopped in shock.

“I see… Are you prepared?” The woman’s eyes started to be wet with his sudden question.

“He will not die.” Reina interrupted. Vander and the woman looked at her, astonished. “Trust us, ma’am. Your husband will not die tonight.” Seriousness and determination were present in her eyes. She then looked at Ryther who knew her secret. Ryther smiled and nod his head. The woman squeezed her husband’s hand before answering.

“Yes, please… save my husband.” Vander nodded.

“Dr. Reina, prepare the OR2, Dr. Ryther, you’ll operate, Ms. Natalie, you’ll join us. Prepare the bags of blood now. Let’s Move.” With his clap, everyone moved faster than lightning.

It was 10:45 in the evening. The team gathered around the man who is now covered with a green surgical drape, waiting for Reina’s signal.

“Are we ready?”

“All set, Doctor.” She replied.

“Scalpel.” Natalie handed Ryther the scalpel. He took a deep breath before starting the operation. He slides the scalpel on the man’s stomach and blood spilled like a faucet.

“Suction.”

Ryther and Vander helped each other with removing the handlebar as Reina kept on checking his vital signs. When they successfully removed the handlebar, suddenly, the line of the Holter monitor became straight and an eerie noise filled the OR.

“Cardiac Arrest!” Vander jumped on top of the man and started the CPR. Ryther and Natalie prepared the defibrillator, and Natalie poured gel on it.

“150 joules,” Ryther announced.

“150 joules, clear.” Vander stood up when Ryther was about to deliver the shock.

“Clear.” The man’s body leaped from the table.

No response. Vander resumes the CPR.

“200 joules.”

“200 joules, clear.”

Again, no response. The scene was critical, but they need to remain calm. Reina injected something on the hose and checked the vitals.

“250 joules.” The defibrillator shocked the man but for the third time, there is no response. Reina bit her lower lips. It can’t be. She did not saw any time on the man’s forehead. He can’t die yet. Receiving no response, Vander stopped and looked at the clock.

“T-time of death-“

“No!” Reina shouted. “Step down, Doctor.” She crumpled her first.

“Silver-“

“Please! Step down!” Seeing her determination, Vander stepped down from the table and Reina hurriedly jumped on top of the man and continued the CPR. She looked at his forehead. There is no time.

“Ryther, 300 joules.” Ryther hesitated first before signaling Natalie.

“300 joules, clear.”

“Clear.” Ryther delivered the shock.

No response.

“Come back you jerk!” Reina shouted. “350 joules!”

“What?!” Vander exclaimed but Reina did not mind.

“Faster!” She shouted angrily. “350 joules!” She did not stop pushing the man’s chest up and down until Ryther delivered the shock.

“350 joules”

“Clear!” The man’s body leaped for the nth time.

“T-the vitals…” a tear escaped from her eyes. “The vitals are stable,” Reina announced with heavy breathing and stepped down from the table. Her heart was breathing faster than usual. “Please continue the operation.”