I was supposed to be off-duty. I’d already worked a double shift, and the last thing I wanted was to stop by the hospital again. But there was this nurse, Alina, who flagged me down right as I was leaving—eyes all serious, voice low.Officer Medina, could you come meet someone real quick? She’s been asking for you.”
I almost said no. I had nothing left in the tank. But then she mentioned the girl’s name—Noor. I’d met her once before, a routine community visit to the pediatric wing. She couldn’t have been older than seven, all thin limbs and big brown eyes, asking nonstop questions about my badge.When I stepped into her room, she lit up like I’d brought the whole world with me. Her mom gave me this tired smile, like she hadn’t had one of those in a while.
I stared at her IV line, the machines humming behind her, and something inside me cracked a little. Protocols swirled in my head—insurance, liability, paperwork nightmares—but none of it seemed to matter right then.I glanced at Alina. She gave me this tiny nod, like she knew what I was about to do before I even did.
So I made a decision.
I told Noor and her mom to wait right there, ran out to the lot, and quietly moved the squad car around to the side entrance. No lights, no sirens. Just me, her, and one ride.What I didn’t expect was who showed up right as I was strapping Noor in the front seat—someone who definitely wasn’t supposed to be there.
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