Mental

"Looks like another night with four hours of sleep." I yawned to myself. "Next semester…no more eight AM classes."

I yelped when my foot caught on a step, because I did not quite lift it high enough, but luckily I was holding the railing and did not fall flat on my face. I continued on my way with a cross between a grunt and a yawn.

But I was getting extra hours so I cannot complain too much.

I yawned again. This one was so long and deep I had to stop until it passed.

Finally I go to my floor.

Number 401..402…403…

"404!"

I sang sleepily to myself.

I fished my keys out and reached for the handle, Metallica could be heard through the slight crack in the door, it was open.

Will she ever learn!

I pushed the door open with a sigh.

"Kaylee, I'm here."

The place was its usual mess even though she promised me she would clean it up today. Her bag was on the couch, jacket on the TV, and keys on top a week old Chinese box on top of even older pizza boxes stacked on the cocoa table. Her rock music blaring through the whole apartment.

Kaylee says it is a 'coffee' table but since I don't drink that stuff I insist it is a 'cocoa' table.

Dirty dishes litter the small table next to the couch too.

Is it so hard to put them in the sink?

I glanced at the kitchenette. My eyes gliding over countless grubby dishes.

Well that explains it.

My eyes finally rested on a little white box.

At least she remembered to grab me dinner.

I opened to find a half-eaten sandwich that smelled like it had been sitting out. I pulled open the fridge door, hoping.

"That's OK, Kaylee, I wanted to eat cereal for dinner anyways!" I snapped. No answer.

She needs to turn that music down or we are gonna get another complaint!

I walked over and shoved her door open.

"Hey, t-"

The room was empty. I glanced in the bathroom. Nothing.

I did see her keys…didn't I?

I turned to look again and noticed my door was a jar.

Heat flared in my stomach.

What is she 'borrowing' this time?

I shoved the door open.

"Kaylee you bet-"

Light from the living room slid in to lie across Kaylee's still, face down, form on the floor.

"Kaylee?" I fell to my knees to slide my fingers across her neck, searching.

A pulse.

Barley.

I jerked up and turned on the lights then sinking down to my knees again to grasp her by the shoulders.

"Kaylee! Can you hear me?" I rolled her to her side to put my ear to her mouth.

Not breathing.

My eyes rested on her shirt. It was torn and there was-

I jerked back, hitting my back on the bed post.

There's…there's…CALM DOWN! THINK!

I took a breath. I looked down at my hand. It was red. I squeezed my eyes shut.

Remember! Remember!

Where is it coming from?

My eyes popped open and followed the blood back to the source.

…her shoulder.

It covered her shoulder, neck, and ran down to soak the floor and her shirt.

What can I use to stop it?

I glanced around.

I see shoes in the closet, clothes in the drawer, pencils in my desk along with…

I jumped up. Grabbing the little white package, along with a shirt, ripped it open and smoothed it out before getting to my knees and pressing it on the wound. Once I was sure it would not slip off I tore a few thin strips off the shirt. Using those scraps I tried my best to tie the little white mass down.

When I was sure it was going to stay I, regardless what was on her shirt, laced one fist ontop of the other and placed them just under the V in her rib cage. Adjusting my position to allow my weight to be more of a tool, I started my compressions.

1…2…3…4…5…6…7

My breaths were coming in shallow and fast as I rocked back and forth with each compression.

27…28…29…30!

I placed the remains of the shirt over her mouth, tilted her head back and sealed my mouth over hers.

Two breaths. Turning my head slightly away to breath in and check her chest. It was rising. Nothing was blocking her passageway.

That was a plus.

Back to compressions.

1…2…3…4…5…6…7...8...9

Sweat started to form on my forehead.

...26...27…28…29…30!

Tilt head back. Two breaths.

Now call 911...call 911...call 911...Call 9-1-1!

My head kept screaming. Finally I jerked out my phone and placed it on the floor so I could continuing my compressing.
"Hey, Siri!"

The phone lit up, latching onto my voice.

"Dial 9-1-1." There was a pause.

"Dialing 9-1-1." Her metalic voice replaced by ringing. Glancing over I hit the speaker.

"1...2...3...4..." After two rings a mans voice came on the line.

"911, What is your location?" I frantically rattled off our address.

"…7….8…I just got home and I found… 11…12…my roommate she's… 14…15…not breathing… 17…she has a pulse…19… she is bleeding... 21...22... from her shoulder... 24... 25... stopped... 27... for now... 29..."

"Ma'am? Are you performing CPR?"

"Yes." I breathed before leaning down to give two more breaths.

"I have done…2…3…three reps…5…6 and she is…8…9… not responding…10…"

"Ma'am, I need you to calm down. And give me your apartment number" I took another breath and gave it to him before breathing into Kaylee. "I will send help right away."

"Help is on the way. You say she is not breathing. Can you see what may have caused it?"

"Not….8… sure…10… has gash…12… on shoulder…14…stopped…16… bleeding…18… airway... 19... cleared..."

"Ma'am, what is your name."

"…25…Sorsha…27"

"Alright, Sorsha, this is what we are going to do. Keep giving CPR to your friend and I will stay and talk to you until the ambulance gets there."

I am not really sure what happened after that. The man kept talking to me, helping me keep track of my reps. Don't really remember what he was saying but I kept compressing and breathing precious breaths into Kaylee until I heard five loud bangs at the door.

"Ms. Sorsha! Paramedics! Open up!" I rushed to the door. Three men in paramedic uniforms rushed in as soon as I opened the door.

"Where?" One said to me. I pointed to the bedroom. They went without hesitation.

It was like all the adrenaline left me and I sank onto the couch, clothes, DVDs, and all. Old fast food containers crunching under my weight.

Burying my face in hands I took a deep breath.

I smelled…

Jerking up I nearly screamed, gagging when my eyes took in the smeard blood.

Stumbling to my feet I rushed to the bathroom. Blood was on my hands, arms, chest, and… my face!

I wripped my shirt off. Grabbing a wash cloth I ran it under cold water, rathering it up before vigorously scrubbing on my face. I don't know how long I stood there and scrubbed every last inch of my skin. But a voice brought me back to the present.

"Miss. Miss? Are you alright?" I looked up to see a police officer in the mirror. I whipped around.

"Where is...Kaylee?"

"They were able to stabilize her. They took her to the hospital." He held out my phone when I breathed a sigh of relief.

She was alive.

My hands shook when I took the phone. There was blood on it.

"Do you mind coming down to the station, ma'am? Um, when you are ready." His eyes kept meeting mine then trailing off. I gave him a confused look, glancing down at his hand guester. I squeecked, grabbing my towel to wrap it around me.

"Can I go to the hospital first?" I whispered, wiping my phone down with the red stained towel.

"Sure. We can stop by. Why don't you get a few things before we go, may not be able to come back here for a while." Nodding I hurried to my bedroom, never looking at the floor.

"Wait. Is this one your room?" The officer held out his arm, keeping me from entering further. I nodded.

"Sorry, ma'am. This is the crime scene. Are there other clothes you can grab?" I thought about getting some from Kaylees room, but that felt wrong. Even if she was constantly 'borroing' my stuff. I went back to the bathroom. At my feet I dug through the laundry hamper an pulled out the shirt I wore last night. I slipped the shirt over my head and stuffed a few more clothes from the hamper into an extra trashbad I found under the sink.

Walking out I followed the officer, as an afterthought I grabbing my school bag.

I was sure the professors would understand, but getting behind cost money. And I could not afford that.

Grabbing a handful of towels, I weted them and scrubbed the blood off my phone. I thought I got it all. Once I finished drying it, my eyes landed on my hands. I dropped the phone on the back of the sink and turned the hot water on. Still had some auburn under my nails.

I scrubbed my hands under the scolding water.

They were shaking.

I dried them off, grabbed my phone, and walked out of the bathroom.

How am I going to tell her parents...

Sitting heavily in a chair, I buried my face in my hands. Not really noticing when two sets of feet stopped in front of me.

"Ms. Sorsha?" I raised my head to see two men in white shirts with black ties and pants.

One was tall, about six one, and the other was about five ten. They were both built but the taller one looked like he was a wrestler at one time. The tall one was a brown haired white man while the other was dark haired with a little Japanese to his looks.

Missionaries?

My mouth came up at the corners a little.

"Yes?" Both of them produced a badge in a black wallet.

A bit fancier than nametags.

"I am Detective Rigsby and this is Detective Cho." The big one gestured to the smaller one.

I was right. I snorted softly. Just soft enough to where they did not notice.

"We are with the CBI."

"You mind if I see those badges again?"

"No problem." Detective Rigsby and Detective Cho held them out for me to get a better look. I glanced over them. Rubbing my eyes I sit back.

"Sorry. Mum told me someone with a fake badge will not want to show them again."

"Encounter fake cops often?" Detective Rigsby asked. I smiled slightly, picturing my mother's concerned face.

"My Mum watches shows like Criminal Minds and CSI. Every time a young woman is kidnapped or killed she warns me of the possibility of it being me. Especially when I moved away for school." Detective Rigsby nodded his head in understanding.

"CBI?" I yawned.

"California Bureau of Investigation." Detective Cho mumbled.

"Really?" I snorted. "Like that TV show."

The big guy kind of smiled but the smaller one didn't.

"No." Detective Cho flatly said. "Can you tell us what happened?"

"If it is not...too much for you that is." Detective Rigsby said. I glanced at them both. Rigsby looked concerned and Cho had this...flat look on his face.

"It is alright." I took a deep breath. "Gotta tell it when it's fresh, right? Where do I start?"

"How about a few hours before you found Miss, um," Detective Rigsby glanced at some notes in his hand. "Kaylee Williams."

"Ok. I...was at work aaand...I usually get off around six but when I was getting off myyy boss asked if I would cover for someone. Which has happened before. And- you know- I could use the extra hours. I text Kaylee to grab me some dinner since the cafeteria would be closed by the time I got back. She usually gets home about eight or so from her parttime job."

I shifted in my seat, rubbing the exhaustion out of my eyes.

"I got home aaand...the door was...open."

"You did not think that was strange?" Cho put in. I looked at him.

"Not...at first...because Kaylee forgets to close it sometimes. Lock it too."

"That's not safe." Rigsby said.

"Tell me about it." I sighed. "I have been looking for another apartment but none are available half way through the semester."

"Are you sure no one else was in the apartment?" Cho asked.

"Yes I am sure. It was a...joke that we could never play hide and seek though Kaylee tried- Kaylee tried..." My eyes started to burn.

"Ma'am. I need you to hang on with me, alright?" Cho's voice broke my thoughts. I nodded my head, rubbing the exhaustion out of my eyes again.

"Alright. Unless someone was in the shower, I guess. That is the only place I did not see." He scribbled a few things down.

"Now take a deep breath and tell me if you noticed anything unusual when you went in."

"No...it was a mess as usual." Rigsby snorted. Cho fixed him in a look and he straightened up. "She did not get me dinner like she said she would so I went to tell her to turn down her loud music...she was not in her room." I popped my fingers nurvously.

"I turned and saw my door was opened. I always keep it locked but she can sometimes get the door open to borrow my clothes so I thought...I opened the door and I saw..."

"That's when you saw her body on the floor." All three of us turned to see a blond man, in a suit and vest, walk up with a brunette woman in all black.

"Yeeeees." I glanced at Rigsby and Cho.

"This is Detective Lisbon, our boss, and our advisor Mr. Jane." Rigsby pointed out each in turn.

"Hi, Teresa Lisbon." I got to my feet, took her hand, and shook.

"Sorsha, nice to meet you too." The blond man held out his hand.

"Patrick Jane, nice to meet you." I took the hand he offered. I tried to release it after a professional squeeze but he did not let go. Our eyes met and held. He tilted his head, pointing a finger at me.

"Did you try to kill Kaylee?" Everyone tensed around us. My mouth fell open.

"Wa-No. I didn't." His eyebrow went up. Then he let go of my hand.

"Worth a try." He shrugged and looked at Detective Lisbon. Who in turned gave him a threatening look and leaned forward.

"Be-have!" She snapped before looking at me.

"I am sorry Ms. Sorsha. Jane can be...blunt sometimes." I sat back down.

"Apparently." I mumbled. Someone snickered. "Have you… told her parents?"

"We are still trying to contact them." Detective Lisbon sounded genuinely sad.

"What happened after you saw her body?" I looked at Cho. He did seem like the type to get down to business.

"I...uh... checked for a pulse. When I did not feel one... I turned on the lights to see better. I rolled her over on her side... and put my ear to her mouth to see if she was breathing. I noticed her shoulder was bleeding... the floor...oh, God. I did not check before rolling her over. The floor must of acted as pressure to the wound until I flipped her over...I should have-" Running my fingers though my hair I grasp at their roots.

"Continue, please." Detective Rigsby prodded.

"I -uh- well. I grabbed a pad from my desk and-"

"Wait." Rigsby held up a hand. "You put a...pad of paper?

"A pad." I repeated. No one seemed to catch on. Maybe the blond man...Jane?...did. "You know."

I turning slightly red when I made eye contact with Detective Lisbon.

"A. Pad." It seemed to click in her head.

"Wait a...minstrel pad? You put a minstrel pad on her bleeding shoulder." My cheeks burned.

"Y-yes... at girls church camp they taught us, in first aid, if gauze is not available then-you know- use a pad."

"Good thinking." Everyone looked at Jane and he just shrugged. "Very intuitive."

"What came next?" I looked back to Cho.

"Ripped some scraps from a shirt to tie it on then used the rest of the shirt as a shield to perform CPR."

"Did you learn that at your church camp too?" Jane asked.

"No. I was required to know it for a Cub Scout Camp I staffed."

"How long did you work there?"

"Almost...how is that relevant?" I glanced around at the other Detectives. Lisbon shook her head.

"It is not relevant, Jane." A phone went off and Lisbon pulled hers out.

"Sorry." She flipped it open. "Detective Lisbon."

No one talked while she listened to the speaker.

Who uses a flip phone anymore?

"We will be right there." She closed the phone.

"Sorry, but Jane and I have to leave."

"We do?" Jane asked.

"Yes, now come on. I apologize, Ms. Sorsha, but we have business elsewhere. Rigsby and Cho will finish up with your statement and drive you to the hotel you will be staying at."

"Alight." I mumbled. Lisbon waved goodbye and Jane gave my hand another shake.

"Don't worry. We will get the guy." Then he was following Lisbon down the hall.

"He's...strange." Grasping a straws to adequitly describe the care free man.

"Isn't that the truth." Rigsby mumbled to no one in particular.

"How many repts did you perform before calling 911?" Cho asked.

I thought for a moment.

"...Two...911 answered when I started on the third."

"What happened after that?" Cho scribbled on the paper.

"I answered his questions and-I guess I continued doing reps until the Paramedics came." Rigsby scribbled a few things on his paper.

"Who-" Both Detective glanced up when a growl split the air. My arms clamped over my middle.

"What was that?" Detective Rigsby glanced at my arms.

"Sorry." I mumbled. "I have not eaten in... a while."

"That is alright. We can continue this in the cafeteria." Detective Rigsby nodded down the hall.

I got to my feet and followed in behind Detective Rigsby while Detective Cho took up the rear.

"I have not eaten either." Detective Rigsby informed me, taking his place in line behind a nurse in bright purple scrubs. He grabbed two cartains of sandwiches, a cup of fruit, a salad, and an extra-large cup of Pepsi. I glanced at the various items.

"Are you allergic?" I glanced back at Detective Cho. My face colored faintly.

"No." I glanced over the options again. Grabbing a small fruit, a small milk, and stepped to the cashier. She looked really tired and bored. Not giving me a second thought as she punched it in.

"$9.43." I dug through my bag, balancing my clothes bag on a shoulder. Pulling out a five, three ones, five quarters, a dime, a nickel, and three penny's to lay on the counter. The cashier did not look thrilled I had so much change to deal with but she took it none the less. I followed Detective Rigsby to a table against the far wall and took a seat. Detective Rigsby set his food in front of him and started to dig in. Dropping my bags on the floor, I sat my minute meal and drink on the table. Folded my arms and closed my eyes. Giving a silent prayer for Kaylees recovery and thanks for the food I opened my eyes to see Detectives Rigsby and Cho waiting silently for me to finish. A little redder, I opened my fruit and began to eat slowly.

"Who do you think did this to Kaylee?" Cho said, elbows on each side of his extra-large plasticware, hands lousily laced together in front of his face. His large drink still not touched while Detective Rigsbys was half empty.

"I don't know." I rubbed my nose then stabbing a watermelon before bringing it to my lips. I chewed the fruit thoughtfully. "It is not like everyone loved her but I don't know of any that hated her that much. She hated this one professor but I doubt he even knew her name."

"Did Kaylee have a boyfriend?" I ate the fruit slowly to make it go further.

"Yes, Marc. He is a Junior Spanish Education Major. But he's doing a semester in Mexico."

"Was there anyone that held a grudge against her?"

"None that I can think of. Though there was this girl she got into a fight with at a Club the other night."

"What was her name?" My fruit was almost gone. So was my milk.

"I don't know." I glanced at my empty cup longingly.

"I was...working, I think. Kaylee told me about it a few days later." I carefully gathered my trash and set it aside to place my arms on the table.

"A few days later? Too busy partying?" Detective Rigsby smiled playfully into his soda.

"I am sure she was. But my job requires me to close twice a week. I close three times a week. I was working until midnight two nights in a row when this happened. When I got home I went straight to bed because I have a class at eight in the morning."

"Crap!" Both men looked at me suddenly. I groaned into my hands. "I have class early tomorrow."

"We can contact your professors for you. It would be best if you stayed away from your regular routen for a bit." Detective Rigsby advised.

"That would be wonderful." I sighed. "But I get paid by the hour. I can not afford to miss work."

"Probably should call your boss and have them switch your work hours, just in case." I nodded, fingering my empty container.

"Does anyone else know about the fight?" My fidgiting stopping when Detective Chos eyes landed on my hands. Subcountiously sliding them into my lap.

"Her friend Jerzee probably knows. She might have even been there. They go party pretty often together."

"What is her last name?" Cho took out his pad of paper. Rigsby was putting his trash together.

"Carter. Or Conner. She lives at the Oak Hill apartments."

Both men made notes in their books, glancing at each other they flipped them closed.

"I think that is all we need at this time." Rigsby said, getting to his feet.

"If you are done. We will take you to your Hotel room." I glanced down at my small empty fruit cup, my stomach growling, though not as painful.

"Yah." I got to my feet the same time as Cho. Loading myself back down with my school bag and clothes. Detective Rigsby got up, gathering his scraps, and headed to the trashcan but paused.

"You going to eat that?" Detective Rigsby pointed to Cho's untouched plastic wear.

"Later." Cho gathered it up and took up the rear as I followed Detective Rigsby out of the cafeteria.

"Is there anything else you can tell us that may be important?"

I shrugged.

"Like I said, I work a lot. And when I am not working I'm either sleeping or in class."

The Agents walk me to the door. Cho waiting at the door with me while Rigsby takes a look inside.

"Do you need anything else?" Detective Rigsby asked, pulling back his jacket to put his hands on his hips. He had a fire arm strapped to his side. I am sure Detective Cho had one as well.

"None that I can think of. Thank you. Both of you."

"Not a problem." I walked them to the door.

"Thank you for your time, Ms Oranger." Detective Rigsby had already gone through but Detective Cho had paused. My attention was draw to Detective Cho as he offered his hand.

"If you remember anything else just let us know." Cho produced a card and I took it. "Here."

He pushed something in my chest and I took it without thinking.

"Get some rest." He mumbled then heading down the hall behind Detective Rigsby.

I glanced down. In my hand, untouched, was Detective Cho's plastic wear. My stomach growled and I could not help but smile as I closed and locked the door.

Using the tub and soap provided I quickly washes, rinsed, and hung my clothes out to dry for tomorrow. Leaving me in only my shirt and undies from today but it could be worse.

Pulling the plastic wear towards me, I sat cross legged on the bed and folded my arms, bowing my head.

My most gracious Heavenly Father. Thank you for all the Blessings you have given me and my family.

I ask you to please Bless Kaylee in her recovery. Please guide the Detective in finding the one who hurt her and please watch over them as they do so. Thank you Heavenly Father. For inspiring Mrs. Teresa to ask me to stay after to help close. And thank you for humbling me to oblige. Thou knowest it could have been me on that floor today.

Please Bless this food. Help it to nourish and strengthen my body.

I smiled.

Heavenly Father, please Bless Detective Cho for his kindness. Thank you again, Heavenly Father.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.