Sounds of Screaming:
-Chapter Twenty-Four: One Shot
Author's Note: Okay, I am tottaly breaking the rules by posting this, it hasn't even been proof-read or re-edited. I half-wrote it between study breaks today but I knew it needed to be posted. Especially after seeing your responses to last chapter. I apologise if it's not the best but still, enjoy ;)
Calleigh sighed as she slowly walked into her living room, holding onto her cup of coffee like a lifeline. The day was like a bad movie, a moment of cliché happiness that was shattered by devastating news; her colleague and close friend was missing, and it appeared another colleague was responsible for it.
If a cup of coffee is the only normal thing about today then I'll take it.
Sighing again as she curled up on the couch, Calleigh felt as if her house had suddenly expanded, like how a room seemed bigger without any furniture in it. She instantly knew what was missing.
Eric.
It was nearing 10 o clock, the sky outside was pitch black. Normally, he'd have bet her home, already have dinner made and then the two would cuddle on the couch watching TV till the stiffness became too much and they'd call it a day.
But now, Calleigh sat alone, flicking through channels aimlessly. Her eyes constantly wandered to the cell phone in her pocket and the one of Eric's desk, waiting for a call.
A call for help, a call bringing news, just any word from the team about the current situation.
I hope she's okay...
Having being kidnapped herself, Calleigh knew firsthand how scary the other side of the job could be. She had being so used to being a CSI, the hero, the one who finds missing people and either saves their lives or can at least bring them home.
But being the victim, that thought itself had sent constant shivers through her entire body. She had to fight hard to resist crumbling under the enormous feelings of weakness and stripping of empowerment.
And the fear...
The fear had been the most consuming of all, one that had nearly cost her her life. Is she had giving into that fear, then she would have obeyed her kidnappers without leaving clues for the team.
Then she would never have been found...she'd probably be lying in a ditch.
Hang in there Nat.
Though Calleigh knew her friend was strong, and had survived this scenario before, she couldn't help but be worried. Apparently, Aaron Vincent was the kidnapper. Though she still couldn't believe this, Calleigh had become more afraid for her friend's safety after hearing this.
Aaron was a cop; he worked around CSIs for months and even had a forensic science background. If he wanted to hide, he'd be one hell of a tough criminal to find. And no one knew what mental state he was in. Calleigh pondered this further, sipping her coffee with a frown.
If something had made such a kind, funny, handsome guy like Aaron snap and kidnap someone, who knew what he would be like now.
A flash on the TV immediately caught her attention, nearly making Calleigh choke on her coffee. Flicking back with a slightly shaking hand, she placed her cup on the table, fearing a burst of shock could cause her to spill it.
"-sources say the officer disappeared early in the evening, and a tip off suggested the kidnapper and hostage may be inside this small, quiet area of Sheridan Avenue."
Calleigh gawked at the news report; two filmier CSI Hummers were visible in the background. They're there!
At least she now knew why Eric hadn't being calling. She released a relieved breath.
"-I'm receiving an update...yes, it has been confirmed that an ambulance has just been issued to the scene, apparently, a casualty has taking place inside the building. Minutes ago, gun fire was heard from within. Neither suspect nor officer has yet to emerge from the house, and the tension grows. Who is the victim?"
If possible, Calleigh's jaw dropped even lower. That question immediately formed within her head, but with more caring and worry than the monotone of the reporter. He seemed unmoved by the carnage within the condo behind him, only a hint of interest visible in his eyes.
Calleigh was tempted to throw the cup of coffee at the image of him. But she was too frozen in shock to even try.
"Gun fire was heard"...
Eric!
Though she knew it was selfish to jump her prayers immediately to Eric, Calleigh knew why she reacted this way. She'd nearly lost Eric...twice, and had to worry about him every call out.
"-It looks like the officers are emerging, still no sign of the victim yet, I'm afraid."
Feeling her stomach flutter once more, Calleigh frowned, the baby seemed worried.
I'm afraid too baby.
The gun shot echo had only died away, and yet, Ryan Wolfe knew exactly what had just happened.
I sprung a booby-trap.
After checking the room and finding no signs of life or more traps, dubbing it threat-free, he watched the blood flow even faster onto the floor. Ryan couldn't help but feel guilty.
"...H..."
He couldn't say anything else; his voice was blocked by the lump forming in his throat.
Horatio's mind was still reeling, it had all happened so fast. Ryan had only opened the door and then...Blake had entered at lightning speed, not noticing the gun till it was too late.
Officer Blake had been shot directly in front of Ryan, unknowingly taking a bullet for him.
A pale sweat broke out over Blake's face as he hit the floor, gasping in pain and shortness of breath. It hurt to swallow, but he had to fight against the bile and blood that seemed to want to explode out of him.
Ryan fell to Blake's side, pressing his hands to the gory wound on the left side of Blake's abdomen. His hands were instantaneously covered in blood.
Horatio was frozen, watching with disbelieving eyes at the scene in front of him. Quickly, he scanned inside the room. No more threats seemed present but he still slammed the door shut, just in case.
"Mr. Wolfe! Get paramedics in here now!"
Ryan nodded frantically, running up the hallway, screaming for help. Horatio placed his hands over the wound, pushing down with all his strength. Blake groaned with pain.
"Hang in there Mr. Blake, hang in there."
Blake looked at the Lieutenant, an eerie light shining in his large green eyes.
"I..gotta...wife..."
Horatio looked at the young man, noticing the odd smile creeping up on Blake's trembling lips.
"Tell her...I loved her..."
Red-hair shook furiously, Horatio wouldn't hear it. Blake shouldn't be talking in the past tense, he was going to make it.
"You're going to tell her that yourself, son."
Blake quirked a weak eyebrow, it said all he needed to. No I'm not.
"Not...enough...time...sir..."
Horatio looked back into the young man's eyes, the strange light seemed to be fading.
"Mr. Blake, stay with me."
Despite the strong tone of his Lieutenant's voice, Blake knew that was one order he just couldn't follow.
"Sorry...sir..."
Horatio was about to repeat his order, his begging to Blake when he noticed the young man's golden eyebrow was no longer arched, his lips stopped trembling, his breath was no longer wheezing.
The light was gone from Officer Blake's eyes.
Aw...now I feel bad, but, it is my muse's wishes that these unfortunate events occur. I especially feel bad cause now there will be a week break at the minimum :(
So whose fault is it? Ryan or Aaron's? Or Nat's? You decide.
-Mel out ;D
"One Shot" is by JLS, and some of the lyrics seem fitting.
"You only get one shot so make it count
You might never get this moment again
The clock is ticking down, it's the final round
So tell me what it is that's stopping you now
You never know unless you try
You'll only regret sitting wondering why
You only get one shot so watch this moment go by
When love's on the line"
Kind of fitting, don't you think? Kind of from Aaron's POV and then Ryan's if you look hard enough :)