Charlie finally found his voice, and just hoped he would sound normal when he talked to Lisa. His mind raced though, recalling the last time he saw her, how they hugged goodbye when she left, and how her lips brushed against his cheek before she walked away.
"So, what's up Lisa, why the sudden drop in?" Charlie took a few steps closer to the porch, wondering what on earth was going on with her. And why the hell was he reacting this way anyway?
"I just wanted to get away, that's all. Thought I'd come spend some time with Bob and Kim. Spoil my niece and nephew." She took a few deep breaths and tried to sit down on the steps without crying out in pain. Her side was killing her, she only hoped the towel would soak up the blood until she could get in the house, alone, and see how bad it really was.
"How have you been Charlie? Long time no see."
"Yeah, well, you know how it is. Been busy, last month was rough. Doing some training and drills this month though. Gotta keep in shape. Ready for anything."
You always look in great shape Charlie, she thought to herself. It was definitely true, but she didn't feel up to flirting right now. Even with Charlie. It was taking every ounce of willpower to not burst into tears and collapse on the ground after what she'd been through in the last 12 hours. She was about to reply when she heard the sound of Mack whistling as he walked up the driveway.
"Let's get you inside before the downpour starts - is that all of your stuff?" Charlie pointed to the small bag on the porch.
Lisa gingerly hoisted herself up as slowly as she could, holding her breath at the sharp pain and nodding in Charlie's direction. "Yeah," she said, when she thought she was able to speak.
"I, well, I", she stammered on, "I just took a few things, I…"
The crack of thunder interrupted her mid sentence, and the sky darkened quickly.
Mack unlocked the front door and led the way into the Brown's hallway, trying out his best bellhop impersonation as he led the way to the tiny broom closet that the Army considered a spare room.
"Ok, right this way to your luxurious and spacious guest room." Mack deadpanned. "Dinner is self serve this evening, and don't expect a mint on your pillow. Housekeeping goes out drinking on Friday nights!"
Charlie went to pick up the overnight bag as Lisa took a tentative step towards the porch. Something was wrong, she couldn't catch her breath and her head was spinning. Mack's voice sounded far away, but he couldn't have been more than just a few feet in front of her. Just a few more steps, she thought, and then she can get some rest, just hold on a few more minutes.
Charlie turned to follow Lisa in the house and watched her make her way up the front steps, she moved cautiously, and he was about to ask her once again if everything was okay. Suddenly, her head lolled back and before he knew what was happening, she silently collapsed to the ground, hat and glasses unceremoniously tumbling away from her unconscious body.
"Mack!" He called out as he quickly knelt over her and felt for a pulse. Low and faint, but steady. She had passed out, but what caused it? Now that he could see her face, he had a better idea of what was happening. Her left eye was swollen, with a deep bruise forming. Dried blood framed her hairline and he saw several deep scratches around her neck. Charlie seethed with anger. Somebody had hurt her, and had hurt her bad.
"What the hell? What happened?"
"What does it look like? She passed out!"
Charlie slid his arms under her body to carry her in the house when he noticed her sweatshirt had crept up to reveal a few inches of skin. He couldn't help but stare for a few seconds until suddenly several droplets of blood began to trickle down her side. What the hell, he thought, now what. He gently pushed up her top just enough to see several rough stab wounds on her side, with a half soaked bloody towel falling out of her shirt.
"She's hurt, she's been stabbed, we need to get her to the hospital!"
Suddenly, Lisa opened her eyes slightly. "Charlie," she struggled to speak loud enough to be heard. "No, no hospital."
"You need medical attention, you're hurt."
"You do it," she stammered. "You're a medic, you take care of me." Her eyelids fluttered as she struggled to say something else.
"Just get her in the house – put her on the couch." Mack yelled out to Charlie. "What!!" Mack roared into his cell phone as he tore into the kitchen searching for the first aid kit.
Charlie picked Lisa's body up off the ground as the skies opened overhead and the torrential downpour began. He wanted to take her to the hospital, but was torn on what to do.
"Just get her in the house – put her on the couch." Mack yelled out to Charlie. "What!!" Mack roared into his cell phone as he tore into the kitchen searching for towels and a first aid kit.