Stop Motion
" Which one of you is Dr. House?"
My reply is sarcastic, expected, I say something about the Skinny brunette, something like that, because I don't want to make it any more specific, throw the guy off.
Maybe he's here for a consult, if so, then let him think Cameron is me, better for all people involved, I say. But if he wants to hurt me...well, he wouldn't hit a girl, right?
BANG, BANG, BANG
My head whips around so fast my body takes an extra second to catch up with it, crap I just gave myself whiplash. I'm dizzy, is that why I'm seeing red? No...NO! The red is blood, hot, life giving blood. You know, that stuff that runs through your veins, keeps you ALIVE...no! No time for sarcasm.
I look more closely, the dizziness dissipates, but it comes back in a split second after one simple revelation: Skinny Brunette, No! Cameron! Allison Cameron's blood. Chase and Foreman are kneeling beside her, trying to stop the blood from pouring out of her neck, leg, and chest. I run faster than a cripple ever should, and drop to the ground beside her.
Chase and Foreman shake their heads, the 2nd bullet hit an artery, it's to late, I know it. One helpless, heart-breaking look of fear and anger sends them away.
They look directly into her eyes; physically, emotionally communicating, 'Goodbye.'
And with heavy, slow steps, they're gone.
Cameron, not my Cameron! The Cameron that makes my coffee every morning, waves hello and just by that gesture, makes my morning so much...better. The Cameron that I - that I lo- I can't complete the thought. No. Instead...
On impulse, I caress her quickly paling cheek, lean in close, and murmur,
"I love you."
Her dilated, weak eyes brighten for a moment, and I think, I caused that. I caused Allison Cameron's eyes to brighten up with joy in the moments of her impending death.
Death.
That crimson blood seeping the front of her blouse, her pants, everywhere...I caused that too.
A tear slips down my cheek, and I lean in closer, so my lips are only a centimeter or two away from her soft, delicate ear.
"I love you!" I say harshly, every word raw with emotion.
Her hand moves an inch of the ground, in a week attempt to grasp for mine, and I whimper, grabbing it in my own, holding tight.
I can't lose her! Not my Allison! NO!!!
She smiles at me, and I know her last, tiny bit of life energy was put into giving me that beautiful smile.
Allison...
The smile fades, her hand goes limp. I imagine it goes instantly cold.
No...
Finite