Chapter 35 - The Road He Did Not Choose
“Stay with Celia,” Vincent told Emma.
He waited until she nodded before moving to the point staff had cleared for him.
Garrett was conscious but confused. The first-aid staff followed the emergency instructions they had received and kept unnecessary people away. He had injuries that required professional assessment. Nobody in the corridor tried to declare him safe because he could speak.
Vincent gave his name when asked and explained that he knew the injured man. That did not make him the person entitled to answer every medical question.
“Celia is here,” he told the staff member. “She can help contact the people he has identified for emergencies.”
The woman nodded and continued her work.
Garrett looked toward Vincent.
“Emma?”
“She's safe in the main room.”
“Did they—”
“No. This is happening now. A branch came down. People are getting you help.”
Garrett closed his eyes, then opened them when the staff member spoke again.
Vincent stepped back.
He could see his own vehicle through a side window. Large enough to carry a person. Close enough to make waiting feel like a choice he was failing to overcome.
He asked the emergency coordinator whether they could transport Garrett out themselves.
The answer was no. The injuries needed assessment, the roads were being checked, and moving him without the right support could make things worse.
Vincent looked at the vehicle again.
Then he asked what was needed inside.
The coordinator gave him a practical task involving access information and keeping the route clear for responders. He did it without rewriting the task into a private rescue plan.
At the design site, Claire listened to the update with her phone pressed against her ear.
“Is Emma injured?”
“No.”
“Nora's father?”
“Yes. Emergency services are arranging access. Staff are with him.”
Claire sat down.
The old night had taught her to fear every change in destination. Now she was hearing about a medical need in a building her daughter could not leave, and the person beside Emma was the man who had once chosen an airfield instead of a hospital.
“I asked about using my car,” Vincent said.
Her hand tightened around the phone.
“They told me it wasn't safe. We're following their plan.”
She closed her eyes.
“I heard you.”
“I'll keep you informed.”
“Tell Emma I'm available. She doesn't have to wait until the scheduled call if she needs me.”
“I will.”
After he hung up, Claire walked to the project manager's office. She explained what had happened and asked about the travel information for the routes toward the city.
He checked the current notices with her. Some roads remained open. Others were not suitable for unnecessary travel. She would wait until there was a confirmed destination and a safe way to reach it.
The decision felt unbearably passive.
She made it anyway.
At the observatory, Helen organized the remaining families with the help of staff who knew the building and its emergency arrangements. Nobody needed the children to demonstrate courage by helping in the damaged corridor.
Emma and Nora sat beside the model box.
Nora kept looking toward the door.
“Can you ask your dad?” she whispered.
“What?”
“When they're coming.”
Emma found Vincent and asked him. He gave the information he had, including what had not yet been confirmed, and spoke to both girls at the same height.
“People are checking a route. Staff are helping him now. You'll be told when something changes.”
Nora stared at his face.
“You don't like him.”
Vincent took a breath.
“No. There are things between us that aren't settled by today.”
Her eyes filled.
“That has nothing to do with getting him medical help,” he continued. “He needs care. The people doing that work aren't waiting for me to decide whether he deserves it.”
Emma stayed beside Nora while Celia returned from speaking with the staff.
A little later, two responders reached the building after approaching by the route their team had checked. The full transport arrangements were following. They assessed Garrett, requested the support they needed, and kept the first-aid staff informed.
Vincent did not stand over them.
He returned to the public room and helped a family with a younger child find a quieter corner away from the corridor.
The child's father apologized for the noise.
“You don't need to apologize to me,” Vincent said.
The man looked surprised.
A staff member brought water and explained the next update time. Vincent moved a chair after asking where it would be useful, then stayed clear while the parent settled the child.
For years, he had believed protection meant making a room obey him. Here, the room had work underway that he could support without owning. A frightened family did not become his responsibility in every particular because he happened to see them.
He could still carry a chair.
When he returned to Emma, she asked whether the younger child was all right.
“Upset. With a parent. Staff have helped them find a quieter place.”
She nodded.
It was enough information for the question she had actually asked. He did not add a promise that everyone would be fine merely because she wanted the world to make sense. Helen checked the arrival list again so nobody would be left unaccounted for when departures became possible.
Time moved slowly.
The sky outside was darker now, the glass reflecting tired faces beneath backup lights.
Garrett was prepared for transport when the team was ready. Celia was told where he would be taken and how she could follow safely with Nora when the roads permitted it. His necessary contacts would be notified through the proper arrangements.
Nora stood as the stretcher passed the room.
For a moment, she saw only her father's face and Vincent beside the open door.
All the stories she had heard about the old employer arrived at once.
May you like
She stepped in front of Vincent, shaking.
“Are you going to let them take him?”
