Sounds of Screaming
-Chapter Six: Only Hope
Disclaimer: Still preparing to storm CBS but till then, I don't own CSI. I only own Aaron Vincent, the victims, the killer, the plot and any other minor characters you don't know.
Walter Simmons sat alone in Trace, waiting for some evidence from either crime scene to come his way. So far, Ryan and Calleigh had gotten to do the scenes, Horatio and Frank did their usual bit of detective work, Natalia got to test the large amounts of blood found and even Aaron got some AV stuff to do.
Though Walter didn't want to sound like a child, his mind was against that idea.
It's not fair!
He sighed, resting his elbow on the table and his chin in his hand. His eyes travelled lazily around the lab, watching all the other workers buzz through like bees; all having some important piece of work to do.
Every now and then, a lab tech would look close enough to walking with something tucked under their arm, but then would walk away. Every time he'd mutter under his breath, cursing this killer for not leaving a lot of evidence behind.
Stupid, smart criminals. I preferred when they were dumb and leaving trails behind 'em!
Walter sighed again, looking out into the lab. It seemed everywhere in Miami there was something happening, something more exciting than his afternoon of sitting alone in Trace.
Everybody's having a better time than me.
Marie Garcia cried a river of tears, oud sobs escaping her attempts to be strong as the piano track blasting in her ears rose up in keys.
The blindfold covering her eyes and headphones left her senseless; left her feeling vulnerable to her kidnapper. She could feel him near her, a sudden radiation of body heat would appear at her shoulder or cheek and she would instantly repel.
She wasn't sure if this was what he wanted, but so far, he hadn't touched her.
The piano pitch rose again, Marie imagined the maestro harshly slamming the last of the keys on a grand piano, the highest pitch being used as a weapon against her.
An explosion happened within her ears, as though a plastic bag was burst too close to her. The explosion echoed through her, causing Marie to cry out.
But she couldn't hear herself or the piano anymore...she couldn't hear anything.
Sitting on a near-by crate, Musicman watched with keen interest as Marie appeared unconscious, maybe even already dead. His loaded Colt Revolver, bouncing on his leg in his anticipating hands just in case.
Cutting the top of a bloody Q-tip off and placing it inside a small test-tube, Natalia worked in silence. Adding a solution then placing the tube inside the centrifuge, she wasn't hopeful.
The last fifty-seven blood and skin cell samples had all been the victim's and she'd be shocked if number fifty-eight would be any different.
As she waited for the beep of results, Natalia heard chuckling from the doorway.
Ryan leaned causally against the doorway wearing an amused crooked smile.
"Someone seems angry at the evidence."
She smiled as he walked in. "That's because the evidence is meant to be on our side but so far, nothing."
A brief silence surrounded them; both CSI's disappointed and frustrated with the lack of evidence. Then another questioning thought popped into Natalia's mind.
"So, what brings you here handsome?"
Ryan smiled again, chuckling through bright teeth. "I was actually looking for Calleigh, H has a lead and...also, about last night-"
Natalia waved her hand lightly, "It's fine Ryan, really."
He shook his head, "No it's not...I wasn't at the lab last night."
Natalia quirked a questioning brow. "But you said you were called in-"
Ryan nodded, "I know, I know I shouldn't have lied but..."
"Ryan, where were you?"
He sighed, this was a hard secret to admit, one that could end it all if Natalia wouldn't stand by him and keep it quiet.
And he now regreted ever bringing it up.
Walter was still sitting in his bored daze, when the glass door of the Trace lab was swung open swiftly.
"Walter, have you seen Calleigh?"
Walter looked up, chin still in hand with a small frown.
"Hello to you too Wolfe. What's the rush?"
Ryan didn't stop to comment back; a sign to Walter that whatever was bugging the shorter CSI was important or case related.
"Alexx called about a new lead with the music case. H said for me and Cal to meet him there."
Walter's eyebrow quirked. Alexx? The doc down at the hospital the team know?
"What she find?"
Ryan's frown deepened. "The killer's latest victim...she's alive."
For now.
Walter shook his head, "Sorry man, haven't seen her."
Ryan waited for a moment, in thought. "I'll just go down alone. Tell Calleigh if you see her for me?"
Walter nodded, watching his buddy leave and head towards the elevators. Boredom began to set in again.
God, I can't take this!
Almost ripping his lab coat in his haste to take it off, Walter ran from the Trace lab.
"Hey Wolfe, wait up!"
Alexx Woods stood along side Horatio Caine outside surgery, both wearing worrying frowns. The poor girl inside was bleeding from her ears, another one of these "music" attacks and also shot in the abdomen, the bullet skimming her left kidney, causing a lot of bleeding.
Though there was minimal room for hope; Alexx prayed the girl lived.
"I hope she makes it Horatio...she's so young."
Alexx looked through the waiting room at the young man in the corner, his watery eyes hidden in his hands. Every now and then, a tremor would shoot through him, a quiet cry or sob would break through his effortful attempt to be strong. Marie needed him.
The sound of a baby's cooing made him look up, smiling a watery grin at the five month old Tia who looked up with big blue eyes.
Marie's eyes.
"It's okay Tia." He soothed. "Mommy's gonna be okay."
From their distance, Horatio and Alexx watched the scene with breaking hearts.
"I hope she makes it Horatio." Alexx repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Horatio nodded once, he hoped so too. For the young man awaiting his fiancés fate, for their baby sitting in a carrier at his side Horatio hoped this girl lived. But the Lieutenant in him thought of the case as well; they needed this girl.
"I do too Alexx...she's our only hope."
Can Marie survive or was it foolish to hope?
Can the case be broken or is this another that will get away?
What is Ryan being so secretive about? Will he tell Nat the truth or another lie?
And where has Calleigh disappeared to?...Oh what have I done to her! :O
Stay tuned to find out guys n gals ;)
-Mel out ;D
Chapter title is "Only Hope" by Mandy Moore, a nice, peacefull track may I add.