CHAPTER 97 Weird Dream

"It's too early!" - Dom declares.

"I KNOW!" - I shout desperately, holding onto his shoulder tightly, tears streaming down.

"LET'S GO!" - Micael declares.

They throw a smoke curtain, a barrage of shots is launched against the enemy, and we are dragged outside. Adam carries me in his arms, while Micael and another guard carry Filipe, and we run towards the car.

"Don't let them follow us, activate the explosives!" - Micael orders.

The guards nod their heads and do as instructed. I look back and, in a few seconds, the place is in flames.

Before we reach the car door, Micael falls forward, hitting his head on the glass and faints.

"GODDAMN, what a fine hero!" - Dom mocks.

"Leave it to us, sir." - The follower of the English mafia warns, placing Filipe and Micael inside the car. Soon, Adam and I get into another one...

"Shit... DAMN! Forgive me, I didn't protect them." - Adam freaks out in nervousness.

"It's okay, it's not your fault... Aaaaaiii, aaaaaaa!" - I scream again in pain.

"Hold on tight, my little one, hold on tight." - Almost in a plea, I hear his voice from afar, everything becomes blurry, and then I black out!

*Dream*

Wrapped in a dreamscape, I find myself in a forest by a lake. The cries of a baby reach my ears, propelling me into a desperate sprint toward the source of the sound. Eventually, I pinpoint the origin and hurry there. Underneath a majestic red Ypê tree, I come across a cozy basket cradling a lovely baby, snugly swathed in a white blanket.

"When the baby's eyes meet mine... a smile graces its lips!"

Tenderly and joyfully, I lift the tiny being into my arms and begin to sway gently, cradling it while humming a soft tune. As I hold it, I marvel at its tiny fingers and toothless yet enchanting smile. The baby's skin is fair, its eyes inheriting the depth of Adam's gaze, while its nose mirrors my delicacy.

Suddenly, the sound of a gunshot shatters the lake's serenity. Instinctively, I turn towards the sound, only to return and find the baby gone from my arms! A shiver of fear runs through me, and desperation takes over. Where is my child?

A frantic, anguished run ensues, my voice echoing as I call out repeatedly, a desperate search for even a glimpse. Then, a child's voice breaks the silence:

"Mommy?"

I turn toward the lake and glimpse a graceful girl in a white dress. She holds a twig, tracing circles on the water's surface.

"Be careful, dear... It's dangerous! You might slip and drown!" I express my concern to the little one, who gazes at me and smiles.

"It's okay, Mommy. I don't intend to stay here for long." Her eyes, as deep as Adam's, radiate tenderness, like a calm ocean.

I approach the girl, kneeling before her.

"Just passing through? What do you mean? No, my love. I will protect you, and we'll be together forever." My words are tinged with fear at her statement.

She embraces me warmly.

"It's okay. My stay is fleeting, understand this. I'm your angel of light, Mommy. I'll always take care of you. Be strong. I love you."

I caress her more tightly, as the weight of her words unsettles me, a chill runs down my spine, and a profound emptiness takes hold... Pain, anguish, desperation. My hands clutch onto her determinedly, yet her form begins to fade gradually, and the agony intensifies. "No, no, God, please... Not my baby, my little princess, my life... Allow her to stay!"

In despair, I cry out to the sky, my voice heavy with distress.

Dazed and devastated, I release a scream that reverberates, tears bathing my eyes. Awakening is imminent, but the sense of fear and helplessness lingers, until finally, the eyes open, dampened with tears.

The doctor was striving relentlessly to save Mrs. Mavromatis and her baby when a distressing realization struck him: the fetus was in imminent danger. In a mixture of anxiety and urgency, he exclaimed:

"Damn it, call the obstetrician!"

As soon as the specialist arrived, her eyes fixed on the monitor displaying the baby's heartbeats. With a focused expression, she pulled up the patient's chart, analyzing the gestational time and subtly shaking her head in concern.

"Doctor, the fetus is in distress, to be more precise... It's bradycardic. Given the stage of gestation, there's a minimal chance of survival. Unless we proceed with an immediate cesarean, we risk losing both the mother and the child!"

Faced with the grave dilemma, the doctor sighed deeply, his thoughts racing to find a solution. With determination, he stated:

"Notify Dom. This is a decision that falls to him!"

And so, the obstetrician left the room, ready to convey the urgency of the situation to the person in charge.

POV: ADAM

When the doctor approaches me, I sense fear in her gaze.

"My Lord, I must inform you that we need your immediate decision regarding your wife's condition."

"What happened? Are they alright?" - I clasp my hands, concerned.

She shakes her head negatively.

"I regret to inform you that the baby did not survive a cardiac arrest. We need to perform a curettage." - She pauses, allowing me to process the news. - "If we don't carry out the procedure, your wife is at risk of developing sepsis and could pass away along with the baby."

"And if we do a cesarean delivery... Can we save him, can't we?" - I ask, shocked.

"I apologize, Sir, but your son is gone. There's nothing more to be done... I'm so sorry."

"You can't give up on him. You need to save him!" - I step forward, gripping her by the neck, consumed by anger.

"Please understand, Sir, I know it's painful, but the baby is no longer with us. Now we must focus on your wife's health, and our options are limited. We need to perform the procedure, or both could be lost!" - She stammers, trying to free herself from my grasp.

No, I can't accept this... The idea of losing our child is unbearable... I can't bear the loss...

Why can't I save them both???

"Damn it!" - I shove the doctor away, delivering a strong punch to the wall. The obstetrician backs away, frightened.

I won't let this happen...

"Proceed with the procedure." - My voice sounds resolute.

"Yes, Sir. Excuse me."

"Ensure that she survives, or I won't be responsible for my actions!"

Her eyes widen, and she hurries out...