At the hospital, the hours dragged.
Eli was treated, bandaged, monitored. The doctors spoke in careful tones, reassuring but honest. It would take time, but he would be okay.
That was all I needed to hear.
When he finally woke, his eyes found mine immediately.
“Mom…” he whispered.
“I’m here.”
His gaze shifted slightly, searching.
“Your medal…”
I reached into my bag and pulled it out.
The ribbon was gone, burned away. The metal was blackened, scarred from where it had fallen near the coals when everything happened.
But it was still intact.
I placed it gently beside him.
“It’s still here,” I said. “Just like us.”
He smiled faintly, his small hand reaching for mine.
“You were brave,” I told him.
His fingers tightened around mine, weak but certain.
And in that quiet room, none of the noise from earlier mattered anymore.
Not the accusations. Not the arrogance. Not the moment everything shifted.
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