Chapter Two: One Last Chance
The house wasn't that far away, only about an hour's drive from the lab. It was away from the city and the noisy neighborhoods, but still were nice homes. Secluded, and lots of money, two enticing factors that would invite any thief to take a shot of swiping something.
There was an officer outside the house, leaning against his car, an irate look settled on his face as we pulled up. The cool night air brushed past me as I stepped out, pulling my case from the back seat. Sara was already talking the officer, and I could only catch bits and pieces of what was said, but I could tell by the strain in both their voices that it wasn't good.
"I have been waiting here for three hours," he snapped as I walked up. I hardly paid any attention to him, focusing on the surroundings instead.
"You would think with a house as nice as this the owners could afford some lights out here," I pointed out, glancing at Sara who nodded in return. As of now, only the lights from the cop car, and a dim porch light were the only sources of light we had. Aside from our flashlights, but those didn't count.
"When did the break in occur exactly?" Sara asked the officer, who shrugged, his tone still snappy.
"How should I know? I got a call in about three hours ago that there was something suspicious going on, I checked it out."
"Define suspicious, would you please?" Sara asked, jotting down notes on a small pad. She was using the headlights in order to see.
"Someone was sneaking around, looking into windows. The call I received said they saw someone messing around with the house, and the folks are gone. I checked it out, and the front door was busted open. You happy? I'm off duty, I don't have to sit around here and baby-sit you two."
I looked from the officer to Sara, and then back again. She nodded, closing the pad as she stood up. "Is the scene clear?"
He nodded, rolling his eyes. "Yes, it's clear. Can I go now?"
"Call for another officer, will you?" she gave him a smile as she turned away.
The officer shrugged his shoulder, muttering under his breath as he climbed into the car. When I glanced back up Sara was already making her way down the walkway, towards the house and I had to run in order to catch up with her. Her flashlight skimmed the ground as she took careful steps, and I followed her lead, having to pause a moment as I fished the flashlight from my vest pocket.
"Front door is busted clean open," Sara called back to me, walking up the stairs, taking one step at a time. "Why didn't the alarm sound?"
I shrugged, offering up the only excuse I could think of at that time. "Maybe they don't have one."
"A house this nice," she shook her head, "Doesn't seem right," she knelt down to examine the door, before standing once again. I called out to her as she started her way inside.
"Shouldn't we wait for the officer to arrive?" I asked, watching her.
"Scene's been cleared, it's only a B&E. I just want to get this over with," Sara told me, disappearing the rest of the way inside. I just shook my head as I too, climbed the stairs.
Now, maybe that was where it all started, if we had waited, none of this would have happened. You've heard of the phrase 'wrong time, wrong place', or so I assume. That much was true for us.
Still, I am not sure how it all happened. I know we had been there for some time; Sara was checking things over in the den, while I double-checked the kitchen. Nothing seemed to be missing, but we wouldn't know for sure until we were able to talk with homeowners. I remember shaking my head, as I closed the last cabinet drawer, confused by everything.
It's funny, how the mind remembers so many details about a certain event, and yet nothing about another. Though I do remember her screaming. In all the years I've known Sara, I have never heard her scream before. Even if I had set aside the time to picture in my mind what her scream would sound like, it wouldn't even have come close to the high-pitched shriek she had let out.
I remember just standing there, in the large kitchen, next to homemade bar, unable to move at first. Then, when she cried out again, calling my name and crying out for help, I found myself at the open doorway. I don't know how I got there; my legs were shaking so badly I had to lean against the doorframe to support myself. What I saw then, was something that will never leave my mind.
She was doubled over, one hand clasped on the man's forearm, the other wrapped around her stomach, her face clenched tightly in pain. Blood was beginning to seep from around the hilt of the knife that was buried deep into her side, slowly pooling on the floor underneath her as she feel to her knees.
I think I called her name, I must have, because the man turned to me, his eyes wide as he realized Sara wasn't alone. Before I could regain my senses, he was on top of me. Being twice my size, it wasn't that hard to accomplish, especially given the fact I was still in shock.
I don't know how long I fought him for, but it wasn't for long. He had managed to drive a few blows to my head, rendering me nearly unconscious. I say nearly because I still felt the cold steal as it tore through my flesh. His eyes were still fearful, as if he hadn't wanted to hurt us, but felt as though he had no choice. I closed my eyes as he twisted the blade, pulling it back out in one swift motion. I let out a pained cry at the motion, as he backed off of me quickly.
He left us there, just like that. It was all I remember, and it is all I can tell you now. I am still alive, lying on my back, my head against the wall. I know that I am still alive, the pain is excruciating, and I can feel the warmth of my own blood as it runs over my fingers, a simple sign that my heart is still beating. The only thing that's keeping me alive, and yet slowly killing me at the same time.
Not that it matters, Sara is dead. I can see her from where I am. From the corner of my eye. It hurts too much to move, even the slight motion of turning my head causes me pain and my stomach threatens to heave at the slightest movement. Not that I always wanted to bleed to death, but chocking on my own vomit wasn't very appealing either.
I can see her face easily enough. Her eyes closed, unmoving. She hadn't moved since she had fallen, and was lying at an awkward angle. I bite back a sob as I close my eyes. It would be several hours before anyone even thought about checking in on us. The officer probably never called in for backup, so as far as I was considered, there was no hope.
I am trembling lightly; I have noticed this for some time now, as I run my tongue over my dry lips. I cough a few separate times, all the while squashing down the nauseated feeling that threatens in the pit of my stomach.
They say that when you die, you see your life before you finally let go. Whether it is true or not, I don't know. I hadn't exactly seen my life story yet, even though I knew that death was not far in coming. All I could really think of was Sara, and the rest of the team. How long would be here before they found us, and how would they handle our deaths?
My head was hurting so much that I didn't recognize the sound at first. It repeated itself several times before stopping, and then there was a lapse of a few minutes before it repeated itself once again. Opening my eyes I could see the soft lights flashing in the darkness, and I winced as I turned my head towards it.
I stared at the small object, as if doing so would quiet the annoyance, before my senses kicked in. It was my phone, and it was ringing. Someone was trying to get a hold of me. I felt like laughing and crying at the same time. The simple thought that they were looking for me was wonderful.
However, the phone was in the middle of the room, and I was next to the wall. I must have lost it during the struggle. In my mind, it was already impossible. I squeezed my eyes shut as the call ended, the ringing still reverberating in my head, pulsating in time with my throbbing headache.
When I opened my eyes, all I could see was that phone, knowing that at the moment, it was my only chance of survival, if I had one at all. I reached down with one hand, the other still pressed against my torn flesh as I eased myself onto my side. I squeezed my eyes shut as several waves of pain raced down through my body, then back up again. After what seemed like several minutes of agonizing pain, I felt the gravity take over as the weight of my body became uneven, and I found myself on my stomach.
Taking in a few, gasping breaths, I let my head drop against the rough texture of the carpet, noting that I had to be running a fever, because the carpet felt cool against my heated skin. When the pain had passed enough, and I no longer felt sick, I moved once again, in the same manner.
I don't know how long it took; I have no real perception of time at the moment. My head was pounding, and my vision swam as I reached out for the phone shakily, fresh blood dripping off my fingers onto the white carpet below. I could only hope the home owners wouldn't be too upset at all the blood that was left behind.
Grasping the phone I brought it back towards my face, flipping the top open clumsily as I read the missed calls. Grissom was the one who had called, both times. I pressed the redial button, leaving behind a bloody print as I brought the phone up to my ear, praying that I would be able to stay awake long enough to tell him.
The ringing tone was sharp against my ear. Once…twice…three times. I closed my eyes, pressing my lips together tightly as my head pounded violently. Apparently it hadn't liked the moving I had done.
"Grissom."
His voice barely cut through all the pain, but I could hear him just the same. I opened my mouth to say something, to say anything, but all that came out was a choked sob. I didn't think he had heard me, didn't think it was enough, and I could no longer understand what he was saying to me, but I could tell from the tone of his voice he had heard.
I gripped the phone tightly in my hand, afraid to let go as the tears ran down my face as I opened my mouth one last time. "Help…"
TBC…
