"What about you, Mom?"
But Luo stubbornly shook his head. "The hospital can't hold out anymore. Aren't you and Dad coming with us tonight?"
"We can't, sweetheart. Your dad and I are doctors. No matter what happens, we can't abandon all those patients in the hospital."
The doctor smiled. "Don't worry. You two go ahead. Once we're finished here, your dad and I will find a way to leave the country and come find you. Here, take this."
She pressed a small Den Den Mushi into Luo's hand. "Keep it safe, all right? Your dad and I will be counting on this to contact you and Amy. Until then, you must take good care of your sister."
"I will!"
Luo nodded firmly. At last, he stopped hesitating, carefully tucked away the Den Den Mushi, and sprinted home...
She watched Luo's back disappear into the stairwell.
The doctor slowly stood up and sighed softly.
You foolish boy...
There was something she hadn't told him.
Right now, barbed wire surrounded every border, with heavily armed troops standing guard. How could an adult like her possibly be allowed to leave, even if she was a medical worker?
The only reason Luo and Amy could leave...
Was that a nun from the town's church had spent ages pleading with the soldiers to the east, until a kindhearted officer finally relented and allowed her to take some of the children out.
This was probably the last time we would ever see each other, wasn't it?
Luo, you have to survive...
After one last, lingering look toward her home, the doctor wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Finally, she pulled her white coat tighter around herself and hurried toward the operating room without looking back.
Aboard the Thunder Eagle.
At the bow,