Chapter 13 - The Midnight Surgery
Doc Evans didn't waste a second. Working under the harsh yellow work lights of Bear’s road truck, the veteran medic spread sterile pads across the wooden table inside the cabin. His hands were covered in cuts, but his fingers were steady as he injected a massive dose of counter-toxins and anti-seizure medication into Leo's arm.
"The key is lodged in the pyloric sphincter," Doc said grimly, holding an old portable ultrasound wand over Leo’s stomach. "It’s blocking the passage and corroding the lining. If I try to flush it with an emetic, the ulceration will tear his stomach wall. I have to go in."
Jax stood by the boy's head, holding Leo’s cold hand tight between his rough, tattooed palms. "Do what you have to do, Doc."
"No general anesthesia, Jax. His heart won't survive it," Doc warned, picking up a scalpel. "I can only numb the local tissue. You have to hold him down. If he moves a millimeter, I'll nick an artery."
Leo opened his eyes, glassy with tears and terror. "Jax... it hurts so bad."
"Look at me, Leo," Jax said, leaning close until his beard brushed the boy's temple. "Look into my eyes. Don't look at Doc. Don't look at the light. Keep your eyes on mine."
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Doc made the incision. Leo let out an ear-piercing scream that shook the old cabin walls, his small body arching in agony against Jax’s iron grip. Jax held him down, tears flowing freely down his scarred cheeks, repeating the same words over and over like a prayer.
"I’m right here, son. I’m right here. I’m never leaving you again. Look at me."
