☾┋ 𝔞𝔲! 𝔳𝔞𝔪𝔭𝔦𝔯𝔢 𝖉𝖔𝖈𝖙𝖔𝖗

➳ 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 6

note: 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕤 𝕒 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜 𝕠𝕗 𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟.

"All my life I have been building walls of trust to protect me from the world that is unjust. Piece by piece, I built these protective walls that I confined myself in. It was a place of comfort knowing no one else could get in." Aera was writing on her journal, writing her daily dose of thoughts. Since the time she heard that the Hellsing organization has preparations to exterminate vampires, she became more cautious of her actions, not trusting anyone she talks to.

"Aera, get ready! We're going to have our farewell dinner with the Yan Hospital team!" Hyesoo yelled from the other side of the room, dressing up into a pink halter strap dress.

"How do I look?" Gayoung asked, strutting a pose with her black maxi dress.

"You look stunning!" Yuna replied, wearing a blue halter dress.

"I guess I'm the only one who isn't dressed!" Aera gets a slap of reality. She gets up from the bed, dashing to open the cupboard. She chooses a red knee-length dress with a sweetheart neckline.

The farewell dinner was celebrated at a picturesque resto-bar called "Oriental Nights". The venue's lighting had shades of blue. As you walk in, you'll be welcomed by a fanciful aquarium. Soft jazz music will be accompanying you around. High tables were set up near the bar designed in a chic modern motif. On the other side, there were long tables and pristine couches for dining.
The men looked classy and refined in their polos. Dr. Ko Myo and Dr. Khun Zhenji entered the room, linking their arms together. The food came in, such relishing dishes to savor. Before the night ended, the two doctors showed their gratitude by giving a cake to Seoul National's medical team.

"Cheers to all of you! We wish you luck and prosperity in your medical career!" Zhenji spoke, beaming a smile.

"The Yan Children hospital team would like to thank you for your service!" Dr. Ko Myo added.

Finally, time passes by very quickly. The challenging segment of the medical mission came. Battlefield medicine. It is defined as combat casualty care wherein medicine is practiced to treat the wounded. At the military barracks, there is a clinic where wounded soldiers go to. Gunshot traumas are treated by surgeries. As a battlefield doctor, you will be witnessing the sight of platoons doing their daily exercise routines every morning. In the military grounds, earsplitting sounds of guns become normal to one's ears. In a place of a gloom and negative energy, working in the military grounds made everyone think that it's never easy to devote oneself to such a service.

Everyone had their designations. Aera who specialized in surgery was assigned in the emergency room. On the other hand, Hyesoo and Youngjin did shifts in the general operating room. Alongside, Yuna and Hanbin worked hard treating the soldiers who had simple colds and flu.

Gayoung, as a nurse, had been painstakingly working hard doing her rounds. Subsequently, she had an errand to close the wounds of a patient in the operating room. She needed to check out on Captain Shin Khan. Upon entering the room, she notices the patient still feeling ounces of pain.

"I have removed the bullet. I have another patient to attend to. Can you suture the wound?" Dr. Bae Hyesoo instructs her, as she receives a call to treat another patient.

"Noted ma'am." Although Gayoung and Hyesoo are friends, they remained professional during work.

She went nearer the patient, checking his vital signs in the monitor.

"Are you okay, sir?" She basks into his eyes glooming with sorrow.

"I can't count the times I have been injured in this profession." He replied.

"You're a very dangerous man, sir." She joked aside, preparing her needles and threads to sew back his open wound.

"I have to protect the sovereignty and freedom of my country, madam."

"Why did you choose such a path?" She wondered, replying in a calm manner as she digs the needle on his skin, slowly stitching back his open wound.

"Hmm...Let's say I love the...adventure?" He uttered, his eyes stinging as he feels the needle dig on his flesh.

"I guess it is fun amidst all the danger for you, sir." She finished up the stitches, fully closing his wound.

"It has always been my devotion to serve my country. I'm Captain Shin Khan. You are?" He noticed that his wound was fully stitched up, deciding he'll stand up.

"Oh...don't force yourself to stand up yet, captain!" She shrieked, gently pushing him back to the hospital bed.

"Okay if Miss Nurse insists!" Resting his head on the pillow, he laid in the hospital bed.

"I'll be coming back to check your vital signs later. And uh... call me Nurse Gayoung!" She bows her head, before shutting the door as she leaves.

Everyday was like any other with their quotidian duties in Kachin Military's Clinic until Captain Shin Khan ordered a meeting with all the medical staff.

"Good morning everyone, I'm Captain Shin Khan and we are requesting more assistance from of all you. Kachin has been experiencing a lot of political threats from rebel groups who have caused a lot of armed conflict as of the current period. It has been a serious situation because even wandering civilians have been affected." He announced.

Kim Junho, being the hospital's team leader, was in deep thought until he asked. ''So how do we help?'' 

"Today we'll be engaging in battle, tents will be stationed near the area of combat. We need the most skilled surgeons and medical staff who are experienced with emergency situations preferably someone with quick and precise decision making skills.'' 1st lieutenant Ma Htut added.

"Can I suggest someone?'' Captain Shin Khan muttered.

"Please go on." Junho spoke in behalf of everyone. Depicted in everyone's face is how they are held back by the thought of being in the actual battlefield.

"I suggest Dr. Jung Aera since she has fast critical thinking skills and she's working well as the emergency room surgeon. Dr. Aera, don't you have background knowledge in general surgery?" Captain Shin Khan asked.

''Yeah for my first few years as a doctor I practiced general surgery and traumatic surgery. For the next years, I've decided to specialize in the cardiothoracic field.'' She nodded, seemingly interested to help.

''That's wonderful. Are you willing to help?" 1st lieutenant Ma Htut inquired.

''Captain, I would like to disagree. We shouldn't put her out. Wouldn't it be a harsh environment for her to face? A place like that is vulnerable to many hazards that may injure her. I'll volunteer myself.'' Kim Junho responded bravely. Aera was in disbelief, he was taking the opportunity away from her. Her eyes rolled naturally, arms crossed.

''I almost forgot, you're one of the best head surgeons in town! I guess we'll be taking you.'' Captain Shin Khan, scratched his head.

''Dr. Junho, thank you for the concern but it's unlikely relevant at a time like this. I will be going with you today.'' A stubborn remark was given by Aera.

Junho heaved a sigh, letting his guard down towards the female who irritated him the most. Aera and Junho used to dislike eachother in a playful way back then. But that playful dislike evolved into a deeper disdain, causing them to stop communicating to eachother.

Consequently, other staff volunteered to give first aid after they were given directives by the Captain. The captain gave each volunteer their uniform fatigues, all in a camouflage pattern. They dressed up swiftly gathering at the parking area as they wait for the military Humvee to pick them up.

''Everyone stay close to eachother. I know it is nerve-wrecking, blood-curling and petrifying. But we're a team, we must look out for eachother. We should stick out for one another. Lastly, always remember to triage and assess your patients. Do well! Aja!" Before leaving for combat, Dr. Junho gave his remarks.

As they ride the military vehicle, sitting side by side with the other medics, all looked tensed up despite wearing their fatigues. Aera stole glances at Junho, riveting her eyes on him. She noticed how Junho's masculinity glistened, his golden-tan forearms were exposed in the fatigue. He could actually pass the look of a soldier. However Aera was still vexed by his presence, she set her eyes instead on the sceneries. While they were in the vehicle, they were able to see few glimpses of the province passing by large green trees and grasslands.

At last they reach the destination, it had four dusty and old tents. Aera and Junho brought all their medical equipment inside the first tent. Aera gaped at her surroundings as she puts her beret on with one hand, the other holding her surgical appliances. A number of soldiers positioned themselves inside and outside the tent to protect the medical team.

As soon as they finished the set-up, Junho called the other staff who were left in the headquarters. ''Tell Youngjin and Hyesoo to take charge in the emergency operations incase anything happens there. You stay with Yuna. Do your rounds. Take care of yourselves okay?'' He showed concern as he was talking to Hanbin. When the call ended, silence filled the room with unending pressure, time passing by slow as they were left alone in the tent.

All of a sudden, deafening gunshot sounds penetrated their ears, ears ringing due to the pressure.

''Damn.'' Junho breaks the silences, spewing profanities as he hears the incessant gunfire sounds.

Ignoring Junho's sentiments, she took her Methoracin pill out from the pocket, taking it into her system. She had to be prepared to deal with all the bloody surgical rituals.

In an instant, two soldiers carried another fighter who was injured. ''He has a gunshot wound near the chest, he needs immediate help!''

''Sh*t! Take him in!'' Junho's words were blown out of proportion because it was a fatal situation and it needed immediate action for the patient's survival.

Aera, tried to remain calm, she was tapping her fingers repeatedly on her arm, thinking of the next possible step.

Junho went near the patient, checking his airway, breathing and circulation. Positioning his ear next to the patient's chest to auscultate, he noticed that there was a decrease in breath sounds on one side of the chest.

''Aera, it's a Tension Pneumothorax.'' Junho informed her, with anxiety building in his body, tapping his foot repeatedly on the floor.

Pneumothorax is a collapsed lung. It is a condition that occurs when air enters the space between the lungs and the chest wall. As the air builds up, pressure causes the lungs to collapse. A Tension Pneumothorax is a life-threatening situation since the more the patient inhales, the more the pressure is built up. In a Tension Pneumothorax, it is blocked by a one-way valve mechanism that doesn't allow the air pressure to leave the pleura thus causing the blood pressure to drop, eventually leading to death. In addition, the pleura is known as the delicate membrane that covers the lungs.

''We need a needle decompression'' Aera replied, getting ready with the needle.

''I'll start the infusion. '' Junho prepares the intravenous (IV) which is a plastic tube that is inserted into the vein to deliver the medication to the patient throughout the patient's body. He starts the infusion of crystalloid fluids through the large IV tube.

Aera moved beside Junho, situating herself at a position near the patient's chest area. She started inserting the thoracostomy needle, piercing over the rib below the target interspace. She directs the needle until the pleura is pricked; the air pressure escapes and leaves a popping sound. To finish the procedure, Junho immediately inserted a chest tube on the patient.

Checking the monitor and seeing the vital signs stabilized brought smiles to their faces.

''Aera, I'll be back. I'll be checking if there are other patients needing help. Stay here.'' He darted his eyes at her, worrying for her situation.

''I can handle myself.'' All her disdain towards Junho washed away at that moment, a strained smile piercing through the edges of her lips. Junho, then, went out, looking around with his sharp eyes.

Abruptly 1st Lieutenant Ma Htut comes in, his eyes widened and his body trembling. He looked insane, suddenly he lifted his knife out, laughing hysterically like a lunatic.Aera was in utter shock, seeing him like that, suddenly coming out of the blue.

''I'm giving you a few seconds to unplug that IV tube and end his life. Hahahaha!'' He smirked with a malicious grin.

''What's your problem, sir? Is this the aftermath of getting into war? Soldiers like you are turning into psychopaths?'' She never left her patient's side, clenching her fist, preparing to attack him if he ever comes close.

''I'll count from one to three... One... two...'' He gets interrupted as Junho breaks in the tent, attacking Ma Htut with a big right overhand punch. '

'Aera, stay behind.'' Junho stays infront of Aera, his arms spread out incase Ma Htut would move closer.

"No. Let me help you. We can attack him together!" Her eyebrows curled against eachother, looking at him with a serious gaze.

"For once, can you listen?! Stay behind!" Junho's emitted a throaty growl, raging as his muscles were tensed up.

''Sir. I don't know what your plans are but we just saved this patient, a soldier of yours. So please, leave orelse we'll be reporting this incident to the captain.'' Junho's husky voice became stern and assertive, intimidating him.

'As much as Aera would like to use her powers as a vampire, it would bring her more harm if people would find out. She controlled herself, guarding the patient beside her as Junho was infront protecting the both of them.

Ma Htut stepped out of range but suddenly he barges back in, swinging and missing punches on Junho's face. Junho took him by the collar, slamming him against the wall, burying punches on him, over and over again. However Ma Htut, cunningly slipped his knife out of his pocket, stabbing Junho in his stomach. Junho dropped down on the floor, his fatigue covered with a smear of blood around his lower abdomen area.

Aera hurriedly rushed in to check Junho. ''Crap!'' She exclaimed.

She was furious, glaring at the beast infront of her. She picked up the knife on the floor, clutched it in her hand, swiftly advancing to Ma Htut. He swung his fist, punching Aera in the face. She stumbled like a drunken transient, his foot a centimeter away from her ribs as he was ready to kick her. However the vampire in her awakened, her golden eyes started metamorphosizing, her fangs slowly protruding. She stood back up, giving him a sharp punch in the jaw, landing another one on his nose. A river of blood trailed down from his nostrils, he hit the floor real hard, leaving him senseless.

Fortunately, other soldiers came in, arresting him after the incident after knowing the truth behind it.

As they left, Aera sat on the floor, holding the unconscious Junho in her arms.