Convicts Redemption
The flash of sirens shattered the calm of the night. Gunshots had rung out just seconds earlier, sending people scrambling along the sidewalk outside a liquor store near Halsted and 43rd. Liam hadn’t even seen the shooter he’d been standing by his car, checking a text from his sister, when the stray bullet ripped through his side and dropped him to the pavement. He didn’t scream. He grunted through the pain, trying to stay conscious as blood soaked his shirt and pooled onto the cold concrete. The last thing he remembered clearly before fading in and out of consciousness was a woman’s voice firm but soothing, commanding without panic. “Let’s move GSW to the abdomen, possibly through the flank. Let’s roll, people!” Natalie Monroe was the first face he saw when they wheeled him through the hospital doors and into trauma bay 3. Her gloved hands pressed hard into his side, her voice anchoring him while the rest of the world blurred into panic and noise. “Hey,” she said softly once they were in the bay. “Can you hear me? You’re going to be alright, okay? You’re safe now.” He blinked up at her. Through the haze of blood and fear, something about her calmed him. That night changed everything for both of them