think they are breathing, but very slowly. Please hurry.”

Vanessa felt a pang of urgency. “Okay, Lily, stay with me. I need you to stay calm and keep talking to me. Can you do that?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Lily whispered, her voice still trembling but gaining some steadiness from Vanessa’s calm demeanor.

“Good girl. Now, can you tell me if there’s anyone else at home with you?”

“No, it’s just us,” Lily replied, sniffing as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Mom’s at work. She usually comes home later.”

Vanessa nodded to herself, keeping a steady line of communication with the little girl while glancing at the screen in front of her. The emergency response team was already en route, but every second felt like an eternity. “Lily, help is very close now. Can you see the ambulance coming?”

Through the phone, Vanessa heard a distant siren wail, growing louder. “Yes! I hear them!” Lily exclaimed, a sliver of relief in her voice.

“Perfect. You’re doing an amazing job, Lily. Can you wave to them when they get to your house?” Vanessa instructed gently.

“Yes, I can do that,” Lily responded, sounding a bit more assured.

Within moments, Vanessa heard other voices in the background. “They’re here, Vanessa! The people are here!” Lily said, her voice a mix of excitement and relief.

“Fantastic, Lily. This is very important now: I want you to stay with them and let them help your dad and Mr. Parker, okay? You’ve been such a brave girl.”

“Okay. Thank you, Vanessa.” Lily’s voice held a sincerity that tugged at Vanessa’s heartstrings.

As the call ended, Vanessa leaned back in her chair, her heart still pounding from the adrenaline. Calls like this were never easy, but today, it felt especially heavy. She took a deep breath, knowing she had done her part to ensure the best possible outcome for Lily and her family.

Hours later, as she was preparing to leave her shift, Vanessa received an update from the emergency team. Both men had sustained injuries, but they were conscious and in stable condition at the hospital. As she read through the report, tears brimmed in her eyes.

The following day, Vanessa was surprised by a small envelope on her desk. Inside was a crayon-drawn card depicting a treehouse, an ambulance, and stick figures labeled “Dad,” “Mr. Parker,” and “Me” with a big smiley face next to a figure labeled “Vanessa.” At the bottom, in big, uneven letters, were the words: “Thank you for saving my dad and his friend.”

Vanessa held the card to her chest, tears flowing freely now. In a job where she often dealt with the worst moments of people’s lives, this small gesture was a reminder of the impact she could have.

She sat quietly for a moment, cherishing the connection she had made with a brave little girl named Lily, who had taught her that even in the darkest times, there’s always hope and the power of human kindness.