CHAPTER 009.

Just as Kendrick was about to demand answers, the hospital's alarm system blared to life, and a voice echoed over the intercom. "Code blue, code blue. We have a patient in critical condition. Dr. Thompson, please report to the ICU immediately."

Dr. Thompson's expression turned grave. "That's your mother's room," she said to Kendrick. "Come, we have to go. Now."

***********

Dr. Thompson burst into the ICU, Kendrick close behind. The room was a flurry of activity, nurses and doctors swarming around his mother's bed. The machines beeped and whirred, monitoring her fragile vital signs.

"What's the situation?" Dr. Thompson demanded, her eyes scanning the team.

"Patient's oxygen saturation is dropping, Doctor," a nurse replied, her face tense. "We're trying to intubate, but it's not working."

Dr. Thompson swiftly assessed the situation, her expression grim. "We need to perform an emergency thoracotomy. Get the surgical team ready, stat!"

Kendrick's heart raced as he watched the