Chapter 420
Blood poured from the driver’s wound, bright red and unrelenting. It was clear he’d nicked an artery. Without a second thought, Charlotte shrugged off her school jacket and pressed it hard against the gash, trying to stem the flow.
She turned just enough to scan the crowd, her eyes sharp and cool. “Does anyone have a first-aid kit?”
A few people just stared at her, some shaking their heads. Most people didn’t keep something like that in their car.
Then a clear voice called out, “We have one!” A woman in the crowd waved, her forehead streaked with blood. “Babe, it’s in the trunk. Go grab it.”
Her husband hesitated, glancing at her wound, worry etched on his face. “But you’re hurt
“I’m alright, really.” She gave him a quick smile, trying to reassure him. “That driver’s in much worse shape. Go help the girl.”
She was the only one here who knew anything about medicine. Right now, she was their only shot.
“Okay. Sit here and don’t move. If you feel dizzy or anything, call me right away, got it?” He slipped off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders, not wanting to leave. “Promise you’ll call if you feel bad.”
“I promise. Now hurry up.”
He gave her one last worried look before jogging to the car, grabbing the first-aid kit, and rushing to Charlotte’s side.
“Do you need help?” Matthew asked, his voice tight as he took in the mess of blood and the driver’s pale face.
“Yes, please.” Charlotte kept her head down, bangs falling over her eyes. Her voice was calm, almost chilly. “Can you hold pressure right here for me?” She guided his hand over the wound.
The bleeding was bad, pulsing out too fast. If they didn’t stop it soon, there was no way he’d make it to the hospital.
“Alright,” Matthew said, doing what she asked. He’d never seen anything like this, but he trusted her.
Charlotte dug into her backpack, pulling out an old wooden box with delicate carvings. She flipped it open, revealing a neat row of golden needles.
Matthew blinked. Golden needles?
He’d only ever heard of them in stories, the kind medical experts used for serious acupuncture. Most doctors wouldn’t even try it, let alone a girl who looked barely out of high school.
He shot her a look, but Charlotte’s face was steady, lips pressed together, not a hint of fear or
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uncertainty. She moved with quiet confidence, and Matthew felt a spark of respect. For someone o young, she was unbelievably calm.
Charlotte picked a needle, grabbed some disinfectant from the kit, and quickly cleaned it. She found the right spot on the driver’s body, pinched the skin, and slid the needle in.
One, two, three seconds. The blood stopped.
The crowd, who’d been whispering and doubting her, went dead quiet. People stared, stunned. One needle, and she did what no one else could.
With the bleeding under control, Charlotte turned her attention to the first-aid kit. She pulled out alcohol, gauze, bandages, and anything else that looked useful. “Can you give me a little space?” she asked, holding up her bloodied hands. Matthew stepped back, still a bit dazed. “Of course.”
Charlotte worked quickly, cleaning and dressing the wound. Every move was smooth and sure, like she’d done this a thousand times before. It was hard to believe she was just a teenager She looked so young, but there was nothing uncertain about the way she worked.