"Constable! Constable!" a young voice yelled from down the street.
Constable George Crabtree turned at the sound, seeing a young boy running down the sidewalk towards him.
"What's the matter?" Crabtree bent over, his hands on his knees so he was at eye level with the child.
"There's a woman, sir! She's in a window! I think she's going to jump, sir!"
The boy took off running again, beckoning for the constable to follow him. Crabtree followed the boy and they dashed through a number of streets, the officer's eyes on all of the buildings they passed, looking for a woman about to jump.
"She's up there, sir!" the boy stopped and pointed to a third story window, two across from the end of the building.
Crabtree panted and looked up, shielding his eyes from the sun. There in the window a young woman was perched, looking down onto the citizens that had formed a crowd around the area, all looking up at the scene.
"Go find another constable! Quickly now!" Crabtree ordered; the boy took off at a sprint.
"Miss! Miss, please go back inside! Everything will be fine!" Crabtree called up, frantically turning his head from side to side looking for another officer.
The woman let out an audible sob, of which Crabtree heard three stories below. He had never dealt with the mentally unstable before and his head spun with what he should do. He had not been trained in these sorts of dealings—if only the boy had reached someone else before him. They would know what to do!
"Miss, I assure you everything will be fine as long as you go back inside. Please miss!" Crabtree begged, hoping he did not sound too desperate.
He heard pounding footsteps coming towards him, Crabtree turned and saw it was another constable.
"She's going to jump. I don't know what to say to calm her down. If you talk to her and make sure she doesn't leave that window, I'll go up and grab her from behind." Crabtree told him, breaking off at a run towards the entrance to the building.
He opened the door and sprinted up the steps, running and running until he reached the third floor. Once he got to the landing, he looked at both ends of a hallway, trying to figure out which room the woman was in. He went to the second door from the wall, throwing the door open. He saw the woman in the window, her loose hair flying in the breeze. She didn't glance back towards the man who was quickly heading towards her. Crabtree threw his arms around her waist, pulling the young woman back into the room. They landed on the floor, Crabtree pinned under the girl, his arms still around her.
"I thoroughly apologize, miss. I had to do this for your own safety..." Crabtree let go of the lady, getting to his feet and helping her up.
Tears stained her face, leaving slight smudges of makeup around her eyes. Crabtree closed the window, looking out of it and giving the constable below a sign of success.
"Miss...If there is anything I can do to console you, please do not hesitate to ask. A friend of mine is below and will come up shortly with an explanation of what we need to do about this...um, situation." George took his helmet off, twisting it nervously in his hands.
"Constable..." the young woman muttered, her face down and her hands wringing her skirt.
"Miss?" he took a step closer to her.
"I wish I could leave here, Constable. I feel so..." she broke off into more sobs.
George reached within his jacket for a handkerchief and offered it to the young lady. She took it gently and wiped her eyes with it.
"Thank you for this kindness, Constable..." tears continued to run down her face, and soon George found himself holding the woman close to his chest.
Constable Crabtree held the woman tightly, the rhythmic shaking of her body reminding him of trees shaking their leaves in a constant wind. Her light brown hair smelled of peaches, and it tickled his face as she wept. The girl released him, he slowly let go and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Thank you, Constable." she said, slowly gaining whatever composure she had before she decided to step on the ledge.
"You're welcome, miss."
"Constable...I need your help. I know what they're going to do to me since I've tried this. I don't want to go there...Please, Constable. If you could get me out, I would be forever in your debt."
"Miss...I couldn't possibly..."
"Constable...?"
"Constable George Crabtree, miss."
"Constable Crabtree, please understand. I'm fine. I'm not crazy like they will think I am."
George looked the woman in the face; her smooth complexion and hazel eyes pleading with him. Tears brimmed her eyes yet again.
"Miss...I can't do that. I would love to help you, but I couldn't possibly do what you're asking of me."
"Constable Crabtree. Please help. I'm not insane! I had to do this...If you get me out of this predicament I will tell you why."
In that moment, Crabtree saw what he needed to do. Although he knew it was against his duties as an officer of the law, he couldn't help but promise this woman that he would save her.
"Alright, miss. I'll help you. What's your name?"
"Cecile Greyson."
The constable from below entered, taking his helmet off.
"I'll find you." Crabtree whispered to the woman. He walked out of the room, going to notify the hospital and department of the day's exciting events.