She turned on the flashlight and aimed it at the back seat, not sure what she was hoping to find. Moving it methodically back and forth she sighed as yet again there seemed to be no indication of what might have happened to the young boy before he died. She pulled herself from the car and rested herself against it, arms out stretched with her hands gripping the roof. She allowed her head to drop forward and closed her eyes. She was tired and the room seemed uncomfortably warm.
"Hey." Catherines voice broke the silence and brought Sara out of her dazed state. "You found anything?" The brunettes posture made her instantly realise she already knew the answer but she had to be hopeful, as there was little other evidence. Sara turned to face Catherine and shook her head.
"Nothing. I can't believe it Catherine. We've got nothing!" She couldn't hide her frustrations any longer. "And this," She said gesturing to the car. "Has to be the cleanest vehicle I have ever processed."
"Well I'm not sure if this will make you feel better or worse but you're not the only one out of luck. Gregs been trawling through trash cans all night and hasn't found a thing."
"Well at least I didn't get dumpster duty." She sighed, running a hand around the back of her aching neck. "It's just so frustrating." Catherine gave a sympathetic smile. They had been working on this case for four nights running and Sara was now over halfway through her second double shift.
"Why don't you take a break?" She suggested. "Go grab some coffee." Sara shook her head.
"I just want to finish up here. I'm nearly done." She turned back to the car.
"Ok." Catherine nodded and began to make her way to the door.
"Oh actually Catherine," Both women turned back to face each other. "If you're going by trace, I found some gravel in the back tyre I want Hodges to take a look at. It's probably nothing but it's the best I've got."
"Sure." Sara walked over to her kit and bent to pick up the small bottle from the lid. As she straightened up, she was hit by a wave of dizziness, causing her to loose her balance and stumble forward, dropping the bottle. Catherine rushed towards her and caught her under both elbows.
"Sara. You ok?" She got no reply as Sara battled to remain conscious and her head fell to Catherines shoulder. "Sara? Ok lets sit you down." Sara could feel herself being lowered to the floor and lifted her head, trying to speak but managing only a quiet mumble. "It's ok. Just relax." Catherine tried to reassure her but she didn't want to relax, she didn't want to pass out completely. She shook her head and tried to speak again, being a little more successful this time as her head was beginning to clear. "It's so… warm…"
"Ok Sara I'm going to lay you down."
"No… I don't…want… I'm ok." She protested, trying hard to focus. "Just tired."
"Ok." Replied Catherine, not convinced. "Just take some deep breaths." She watched as the colour slowly began to return to Saras face and she finally managed to lift her head to meet her eyes.
"Sorry." She breathed. "I guess I needed a break more than I realised." Catherine frowned and brought her hand up to Saras face.
"You're telling me. You had me worried there for a minute Sidle." She lowered her hand and smiled. "Do you think you can stand up?"
"Can I just have a minute?" She said, embarrassed by her weakness. "I still feel a little shaky."
"Yeah of course. Do you want me to get you a glass of water?"
"No it's ok." Catherine smiled, seeing how humiliated Sara was by this situation.
"Do you want me to drive you home?" She braved.
"There's no need. I'm fine." She said, her voice more assertive now.
"Come on Sara, you said yourself you're tired."
"Did I?" She couldn't remember.
"Yes you did. Right after you passed out in my arms. Sound familiar?" She joked, causing Sara to chuckle.
"Yeah ok. Maybe I do need a break."
"You need to sleep." She jumped in. "At home" Reiterated Catherine determined to win with this.
"Fine. But I can drive myself." On receiving another frown from the older woman she continued. "Honestly Catherine I'm fine. I promise." She wasn't entirely satisfied by this but Catherine realised this compromise may be the best she could get.
"Ok. Go home, sleep, eat and don't come back until tonight." She instructed, helping Sara to stand.
"Ok." She nodded. Thanks." She added, receiving a silent nod of acceptance.
Her own sense of relief surprised her as she pulled into a parking place outside her apartment block. It felt good to know she could finally rest for a while, or try at least. She yawned and rubbed her tired eyes before leaving her car and walking up the two flights of stairs to reach her apartment, her brain barley engaged in this routine activity. She was searching her bag for the keys and didn't notice her door was already open until she was almost stood in front of it. She hesitated, a sense of uneasiness washing over her. Against her better judgement, and possibly because exhaustion as beginning to cloud her logical thoughts, she pushed the door open further and stepped inside. She gasped at the scene in front of her: open draws, papers scattered across the floor, photo frames shattered. She reached for her phone but froze as a dark figure emerged from her bedroom. Her slowed reflex had no time react before the man was upon her. He grabbed her forcefully by the arms and threw her across the room but she managed to maintain her balance. He came up behind her and pushed her hard against the wall, pinning her hands behind her back and speaking in a low, menacing voice. "Don't bother to scream. I've been here a while and nobody's come yet. They obviously don't care." She tried to fight against him but with little success. If anything, her struggling only severed to infuriate him. He pulled her away from the wall and pushed her again, only this time she lost her balance and fell, hitting her head on the coffee table on the way down. She winced at the pain but soon began to feel her mind drifting. She tried to sit up but darkness began to descend around her. Then there was nothing.
So what do you think? Let me know! x
