When George came running in his office, hope had won him again. A warehouse on the docks. He did not have to hear any more to stand up to his feet and leaving the current study, Joy on his heels. The police car made its way through the crowded streets of Toronto and William thought mad. They finally reached the supposed place where Julia was. William left the car in a jump, but was soon overtaken by his superior.
-Murdoch, wait.
-Julia is probably there, I have to ...
-You must calm down, cut Brakenreid, if indeed Dr. Ogden is in this building, there is a good chance that Gillies will also be and who knows what he will bring. So we go in, but come to your senses. Remember that for a few minutes she is only a hostage, is that clear?
William nodded. He knew that his superior was right. He had forgotten that the love of his life was in danger, she should not be considered as anyone else if he wanted to stay calm. It was already quite grateful for being allowed to participate in the operation and there was no way he is put away for being too reckless.
The men were deployed around the building. The Inspector Brakenreid and Inspector Murdoch and Officers Crabtree, Higgins and Hodge were the first to enter. George stood Joy leash, because if Julia was there, maybe the animal could trace her. Everything was plunged into darkness as the sun was shining outside. They found wooden boxes, empty, eaten away by rats and rot. The humidity of the walls gave off a foul odor, water flowed from the ceiling, as the only sound they could hear. William held his breath at times, turning a corner wall. The progress was slow, but calm. The building was empty.
-She's not there, Brakenreid sighed.
-We do not have all looked, William replied, feeling his heart beating wildly in his chest.
-Murdoch ...
-I beg you, I ... I know she's here, I feel it.
-The dog didn't found anything.
-She is not infaible, my intuition, her ... I know I'm right sir.
-Take Crabtree with you, answered Brakenreid few seconds passed in silence.
William nodded and soon George followed him, sinking both a little more in the heart of the building, squinting to try to see something. They walked for a few minutes when George looked up at William.
-Sir, I think she is not here.
-Listen George, murmured William, do you hear?
-I do Not.
William closed his eyes and concentrated. He had the impression of hearing his name whispered very low, barely louder than a sigh.
-This way.
They took a few steps and George stumbled, collapsing all his weight on the floor.
-George, are you okay?
-Yes, I ... wait, sir, there is a cable.
The young man followed the cable to reach a power outlet. He immediately plugged and the blinding light broke. They closed their eyes a moment, then, slowly, looked all around them that the three projectors illuminated.
-Oh my God, Julia, threw William felt his heart sink in his chest.
He does not think and rushed to her running. She did not move, sitting on that chair, head down, hands and feet bound, a huge pool of blood under her right leg, disheveled. William dropped his gun on the floor beside her and straightened her head immediately. He froze with fear. She was white abd cold as ice, her lips were reduced just one small mark just rosie. She kept her eyes closed, she suffered from dehydration.
-Julia, William whispered, feeling the tears born in his eyes, I beg you, do not will let me.
He let a hand travel down her cheek and slipped it behind her ear in his face close to hers.
-I need you, he sighed to her lips, closing his eyes.
-Will ... iam.
He opened his eyes in hearing his name. Julia had barely opened her mouth, but remained motionless and with eyes closed.
-I am there my love, I'm there.
He leaned over her to free her hands and do the same with her legs. Then he again raised her face, too weak to stand alone again. He saw only half open eyes.
-I am cold, so ... so..co..cold, hardly uttered the young woman who was shaking from head to foot.
It was quite enough to William that he takes off his jacket and goes on her shoulders, and feeling the young woman put against him with all her weight.
-I'm here now, he said, tightening his grip, it will be alright Julia, I'm here. It's all over, all over, repeated William burying his face in her hair and still shaking more against him.
She snuggled into his arms completely, shoving her face into the neck of the young man. She did not know if all this was a reality, a vision, her death. But she was at peace at this very moment. The scent of William totally surrounded her, the heat that emanated from him was starting to warm up, he had his arms around her and reassured her protected against all dangers. She no longer felt her body for a long time, no more pain, no more than burns, and she knew the time was coming to go, let go in the arms of death. And if her death was William, she would follow without hesitation. But she tirelessly repeated the name of the man she loved, again and again, as if her whole life is summed up to him.
When Brakenreid saw Inspector Murdoch came out holding in his arms the body of Dr. Ogden and both followed by Officer Crabtree with a dark face, he thought that the world had stopped turning the space of a moment.
-Oh fuck!
William walked slowly, giving regular glances at the young woman he kept against him. Julia was very low and he knew it. Her forces were threatening to leave every second. And if he does not feel her low blows on his skin, he would swear she was dead.
He walked to the ambulance and gently placed it on the stretcher. But the fingers of the young woman suddenly closed over his shirt. He met her frightened look.
-Do not let me, she said breathlessly.
-I'll stay with you, said William gently, but they will take care of you, you know.
She closed her eyes again and released his grip. So William laid her and walked away a little to see the paramedics give her first aid.
-Bloody Hell Murdoch, how you ... Brakenreid stammered, not knowing what to add.
-We are related, simply replied the young man, she is in serious condition Inspector, I wish to stay with her.
His superior glanced at the young woman and they plan to put in the ambulance to take her to the hospital faster.
-Take care of her Murdoch, see you later at the office.
-Thank you Sir,William replied shyly.
-Crabtree, we move, we have a complete investigation, he said louder, guys are going to work.
William watched him and met the gaze of George again.
-Tell her we wish her to recover soon, he said softly smiling, and I take care of Joy awaiting your return.
-I will, thank you George.
He even gave him a look and a smile and walked away.
The stretcher where was the young woman was put in the ambulance and William immediately jumped inside. He sat down beside her and took her hand tenderly. She turned her head towards him and smiled tenderly.
-William I ... he ...
-Shhhttt my love, he said putting his finger to her lips, keep your forces. Rest. He will not harm you anymore.
-I know, Julia whispered, closing her eyes, my angel ... my angel ... is here.
William smiled softly and refrain from approaching her.
-I'm here, he whispered before kiss her forehead, and I do not leave you anymore.
He stroked her forehead as she had her eyes closed again. He ran all the way to the hospital to look tenderly, one hand holding hers and the other in her hair, leaving just his thumb stroking her skin. There was no suggestion that Julia was still conscious or not. There was only the beating of her heart that showed the young man and the ambulance in front of her she was still alive. But William did not want to concentrate on a single thing, yet her face damaged by Gillies knife blade. Despite the red mark which barred her cheek, despite her dehydrated lips, despite the paleness of her skin, her disheveled hair falling over her forehead and cheeks, despite the fatigue bags under her eyes, he found her beautiful, incredibly beautiful. His heart sank in his chest to see her at a so bad point, but he did not pay attention to all these brands. What mattered was that he could look at her, unreservedly, for she was alive.
Arrived at the hospital, he had to let go his hand and away from the stretcher. She was taken quickly in and deposited on another bed. At that time, she opened her eyes again and reached out to the young man who once took.
-William.
-I'm here, he said, putting her hand to his mouth to drop a kiss.
-I want you to know ... that ... that I..love, I love you.
-I love you too, he said with a smile, they'll take care of you and then when you go better ... we will go for a ride on a motorcycle, OK?
-Motorcycle, Julia sighed with a smile, it's dang ... dangerous William.
He chuckled and before he could say anything at all, strong arms parted the young woman.
-You must stay here sir. It should take her to the block immediately.
William nodded and still struggled to come to look at the face of the young woman.
-Be strong my angel, he whispered to her lips, I'll be there when you wake up I promise.
She hardly smiled at him and he did not hesitate for a second to put a kiss on her lips before being permanently removed from her.
The bed was taken quickly and swinging doors closed behind, leaving William alone in the hallway, finally noticing where he was. Emergencies, where a few months earlier he had arrived in an equally critical state that the young woman. The day he met her. The day she had saved him. The day they found each other.
to be continued ...;)