Chapter 2 - The Morning Light
The sun rose over the hospital parking lot on a crisp November morning, painting the gray concrete in streaks of pale gold and amber.
I had not slept. I spent the remaining hours of the night sitting in the uncomfortable armchair beside Sofia’s bed, watching her chest rise and fall in a steady, rhythmic cadence. Titan had stayed until the blood draw was successfully completed, sitting quietly in the corner of the room reading a battered comic book he pulled from his vest pocket, before quietly slipping out into the dawn.
At 6:00 a.m., the surgical team arrived in a flurry of blue scrubs, clipboards, and professional optimism.
Dr. Vance, a veteran pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon with silver hair and kind eyes, reviewed Sofia’s latest lab results. He looked up from the chart with an expression of profound relief.
"Whatever happened in this room last night, keep doing it," Dr. Vance said, glancing at me with a warm smile. "Her vitals are pristine. She's calm, her heart rate is stable, and she’s mentally prepared. We are ready to roll her down to OR-3."
The realization hit me like a physical blow—the moment I had been dreading for weeks had finally arrived.
A team of pediatric nurses wheeled in the transport bed. Sofia woke up just as they began adjusting her pillows. Instead of crying, her eyes darted around the room, instantly searching the corners.
"He's outside, sweetheart," I said, rushing to her side and stroking her hair. "Titan is waiting right outside the doors."
Sofia nodded, her expression resolute. As they wheeled her bed toward the double doors of the cardiac unit, the hallway fell completely silent. Doctors, nurses, and technicians paused to watch the little warrior pass.
And standing right beside the elevator doors, leaning casually against the wall with his helmet tucked under his massive arm, was Titan.
As Sofia’s bed glided past him, he didn't wave or say anything cheesy. He simply raised his right hand, curled his fingers into a fist, and tapped his chest right over his heart.
May you like
Sofia raised her small hand and mirrored the exact same gesture.
"See you on the other side, kid," Titan muttered as the elevator doors slid shut, sealing her away from the world and plunging us into the longest hours of our lives.
