The Rescue

“What happened?”

The girl stared at the wrecked airship before her, her mind racing with questions. After a moment of thought, she found no answers. Drawn by a strange curiosity, she found herself standing beside the wreckage.

“Cough…”

A faint sound emanated from within the ruins.

“What? Is someone alive?”

Startled from her thoughts, she followed the sound. It wasn’t long before she found another girl, severely injured, lying amidst the twisted debris.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Seeing the girl on the ground, her body covered in horrifying wounds, the rescuer knelt down and gently tapped her face, her voice filled with concern. But there was no response.

She reached out to feel for a breath.

“Thank goodness, she’s still breathing.”

Relieved, the girl set down her basket and carefully lifted the unconscious survivor, carrying her toward her village. The injured girl wasn’t too heavy, but it still took great effort to carry her all the way back.

“Angela, you’re back early today.”

As soon as Angela returned to the village, an elderly man with silver hair, standing near the entrance, greeted her warmly.

“Yes. By the way, Uncle Nick, is Mr. Renard home?”

Angela responded with a polite smile, then asked about the village healer.

“Mr. Renard should still be at home reading.”

Uncle Nick stroked his chin thoughtfully before replying.

“Is that so? Thank you!”

Angela thanked him with a smile and quickly made her way to Renard’s house, still carrying the injured girl.

“Angela sure is something else…”

Uncle Nick watched her hurry off, shaking his head with a wry smile before returning to his own tasks.

Renard lived near the village entrance, so it didn’t take Angela long to reach his home.

“Mr. Renard, are you home?” Angela knocked on the door and called out.

“Just a moment.”

There was a quick response from inside, and moments later, the door opened to reveal a young man with disheveled brown hair.

“What is it?” the young man asked lazily, running a hand through his messy hair.

“There’s a patient who needs your help!” Angela said, gesturing to the person on her back.

“Is it the girl you’re carrying?” Renard asked, his gaze falling on the unconscious figure. He understood immediately.

“Yes, she’s seriously injured. Please, can you treat her?” Angela nodded and pleaded with him.

“I understand. Bring her inside.”

Renard hesitated for a moment, perhaps because the girl was a stranger. After a few seconds of consideration, he agreed, stepping aside to let Angela in.

“Thank you, I’ll impose on you then.”

Angela bowed slightly and entered, carrying the injured girl.

“Place her on that bed.”

Once inside, Renard directed her to a bed near the window. Angela followed his instructions and laid the girl down gently. Soon after, Renard returned with a small wooden box.

“You can wait outside now,” he said, motioning for Angela to leave the room.

“I know. I’ll leave her in your care,” Angela nodded understandingly and exited the room, leaving Renard alone with the rescued girl.

Once the door was closed, his gaze shifted back to the patient on the bed.

“Her injuries are severe.”

Examining her, Renard noticed a large, irregular shard of metal embedded in her back, creating a gruesome wound. Although the wound was extensive, the shard seemed to be plugging the injury, preventing fatal blood loss.

“If the shard had been dislodged, she might not have survived…” Renard marveled, feeling for her faint breath. “It’s a miracle she’s still alive.”

He put on a pair of gloves and boiled some water. Treating the girl’s wounds would be challenging, but he was a skilled healer. Once the water boiled, he added a white powder, turning the clear liquid a murky green. He stirred the mixture until it was well combined, then soaked a cloth in the solution.

With the cloth, he carefully cleaned the area around the wound, cutting away the torn clothing to fully expose the injury.

“Heave-ho!”

It took considerable effort, but Renard finally extracted the shard from the girl’s back.

“She’s incredibly resilient.”

Renard was amazed that she had survived such a severe injury. The shard had penetrated nearly two inches into her body, a wound that should have been fatal. Yet, thanks to his medicines, there was minimal bleeding when he removed the metal.

He tended to the large wound with great care, sweat beading on his brow from the effort. After a few minutes, he wiped his forehead and covered the girl with a thin blanket, then walked to the door.

“Angela.”

He opened the door and saw her waiting outside, looking around anxiously.

“Hmm?” Angela turned to face him.

“I’ve treated her. If you have the time, find a place to settle her.”

Renard knew his home wasn’t suitable for a female patient, so he suggested Angela find another place.

“Thank you, Mr. Renard!” Angela was overjoyed to hear that the girl had been treated.

“Whether she recovers or not depends on her now. Surviving such severe injuries is nothing short of a miracle,” Renard said, shaking his head as he recalled the girl’s condition.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll take her home with me. My place is quite spacious.”

“Your home? Are you sure?”

“Since I brought her here, I’ll take responsibility for her.”

“Angela, you’re truly kind-hearted.”

Renard was concerned about Angela taking in a stranger of unknown origin, but he understood there were no other options. The village elder likely wouldn’t agree to house an unknown person, especially during these trying times.

“There’s no other way. I can’t just let someone die in front of me.”

Angela shrugged, a determined look on her face.

“You’re right. Go ahead and bring her out. Just be careful not to jostle her too much.”

Renard knew Angela’s compassionate nature and didn’t press further. He stepped aside and added the final instruction.

Phini found herself in a strange place, her body aching from the injuries. She remembered the crash and the kind voice of the girl who had saved her. As she opened her eyes, she saw an unfamiliar ceiling, the events of her rescue still a haze in her mind.

Angela, the girl who had carried her to safety, was tending to her with a gentle touch. Phini felt a strange wave of gratitude wash over her as she realized she owed her life to this stranger.

“Where am I?” Phini whispered, her voice barely audible.

Angela looked up, her eyes filled with relief and concern. “You’re safe now. I brought you to my home.”

Phini nodded weakly, trying to process the events that had led her here. She knew she had much to be thankful for, and as she drifted back into a restful sleep, she hoped that her newfound friend would be there when she awoke.