CHAPTER NINE
ACCIDENT

Hermann's POV

"Oh my God," I gasped, my heart in my throat, as I looked out of the truck window. The world seemed to freeze for a second, the sight of the hospital looming before us. The truck screeched to a halt, and we all scrambled out in a blur of motion. There, just above the ER, a helicopter had crashed, sending debris spiralling and the building itself shaking ominously. It was collapsing right before our eyes.

"We need to get everyone out before this thing causes the whole building to come down," Boden shouted, already barking orders. We all scattered to our stations, but I remained frozen, staring at the devastation in front of me.

Boden turned to me, concern in his eyes. "Are you all right, Hermann?"

"Melissa is working in the ER today," I replied, my voice trembling as tears welled in my eyes. I couldn't tear my gaze away from the wreckage.

Boden's hand rested briefly on my shoulder. "She'll be fine if she's in there," he said, trying to offer reassurance, but it did little to ease the fear gnawing at my insides.

"I can fit in, Chief," I said, my words defiant despite the panic rising in me. Boden didn't look convinced.

"This building isn't safe, Hermann. I can't risk you going in there and it collapsing on you too," Boden warned, but I was already making my way toward the hole in the building, ignoring his protest.

"Hermann!" I heard Boden shout after me, but I didn't stop. I pushed through the dust and rubble, every step heavier than the last, my heart pounding as I called out.

"Mel!" My voice cracked as I crawled through the debris, the dust choking me, making it hard to see. "Mel!" I called again, my voice hoarse.

Then, a voice I recognised. "Help!"

It was Will Halstead. I rushed towards the sound, knowing he worked in the ER with Melissa.

"Will?" I shouted.

"Yeah," he called back, and I followed the voice, moving faster as I crawled through the rubble. Then I saw it—his leg, trapped under a pile of debris.

"Will, is this you?" I asked, touching his foot.

"Yeah, I'm stuck under some rubble," he replied, his voice strained but still strong.

I worked quickly, trying to shift the rubble off him, but my mind kept returning to Melissa. "It's going to be okay, buddy," I said, my hands shaking as I cleared a path. "Have you seen Mel?"

Will's face fell. "She was in here with me... she—" His words trailed off, and my stomach dropped.

"Oh God," I whispered, my heart plummeting into the pit of my stomach. "Mel!" I yelled again, louder this time, hoping she would answer.

I grabbed my radio. "Captain, I've made my way through. I'm in the ER. I have a victim whose leg is trapped under debris," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Mel is in here too. I could use some backup and paramedics."

"I'll be back, Will," I said, looking over at him. He nodded, but I could see the concern in his eyes as I left him behind, moving further into the wreckage.

As I crawled through the dust, something caught my eye—a hand, protruding from a mound of rubble. A familiar ring caught the light. It was the engagement ring I had bought for Melissa.

"Mel!" I cried, my throat tight with emotion. I rushed to clear the debris, my hands trembling as I moved the rocks and concrete aside.

"Mel!" I shouted again, but the sound of the building shifting under the strain of the collapse made my heart race even faster.

"Little help here!" I called into my radio, my desperation growing.

Then, I heard voices—voices getting closer. "Hermann!" a familiar voice shouted.

"Here!" I cried, feeling a rush of relief. It was Dawson. She appeared beside me, and together, we worked to free Melissa.

I finally cleared enough debris to see her face. "Mel," I whispered, tears flooding my eyes as I gently wiped the rubble from her face. "It's going to be okay."

Dawson arrived at my side, her expression serious. "We have a second victim so far—it's Mel," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dawson's face fell. "How is she, Hermann? Is she breathing?" she asked, her tone cautious but full of concern.

I bent down, checking her breathing and pulse. "It's there... but it's weak," I said, swallowing hard.

"We need a path cleared and more people in here to move this rubble before we lose both of them," Dawson said urgently over the radio.

"On it," Boden's voice came back, steady and resolute.

With the help of the team, we cleared the rubble, and soon, I heard the sounds of the guys entering the building, ready to help. I leaned down next to her, my eyes not leaving her face.

"It's okay, Hermann. We've got this," Casey said, her hand on my shoulder, offering what little comfort she could.

We worked quickly, trying to clear a route for Will and for Melissa, and before long, we heard the word we'd been waiting for.

"Clear!" someone called, as the medical equipment was brought in.

"I'll carry her. It'll be quicker," I said, my voice strained but determined. Dawson nodded, quickly putting a collar on Melissa before I lifted her into my arms. I began to run, pushing through the pain, the fear, and the debris, not stopping until we reached the ambulance.

As I arrived at the vehicle, the team was already there, ready to take over. "Hermann," Jimmy said, his voice calm but urgent. "We'll take her from here."

I nearly collapsed with exhaustion as Jimmy took Melissa from my arms, laying her on the gurney.

"It's going to be okay, Hermann," Jimmy said, offering me what little comfort he could as they loaded her into the ambulance.

We followed the ambulance all the way to the hospital. When we arrived, I ran ahead, desperate to know if she was going to be alright.

"Melissa Jordan, she was brought in," I gasped, breathless as I approached the reception desk.

The receptionist didn't look up. "Are you a family member?"

"No, but—" I began, but she cut me off.

"Unless you're family, you can't go in," she said, her tone dismissive.

I turned, about to argue, but then I heard someone running behind me. I turned to see Connor, looking calm but determined.

"I'm Dr Connor Rhodes, trauma attending at Chicago Med. I'm also Melissa Jordan's point of contact," he said authoritatively. "I have the right to make her medical decisions, and I'm saying he goes in."

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice hoarse with emotion. Connor nodded and led the way to her room.

When I saw her, lying unconscious but alive, I collapsed to my knees beside her, the weight of everything crashing down on me. We weren't together anymore, but I still loved her—more than I could ever express.

"She's going to be just fine," Connor said, placing a hand on my shoulder as I sat beside Melissa, the reality of the situation settling around me.

I sat by her side, the beeping of the monitors around us the only sound in the sterile room. The weight of everything—the crash, the rubble, the fear—pressed down on me like a heavy fog. I kept my eyes on Melissa's face, still pale but no longer covered in dust and blood. The doctors had done their best, but she was still unconscious. And the uncertainty was killing me.

I hadn't realised how much time had passed until I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Connor standing beside me, his expression tired but resolute. He gave me a small, reassuring smile.

"She's stable for now," he said quietly, as if to reassure both me and himself. "We've got her on a steady drip of fluids and painkillers, and we're monitoring her vitals. The concussion and some broken ribs are the worst of it right now."

I nodded, but the lump in my throat didn't go away. "You're sure she's going to be okay?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Connor hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "She's strong, Hermann. And I know you're worried, but you've got to remember that. Melissa's tougher than most people I know. If anyone can get through this, it's her."

End Of Chapter 9