1I claim no right, title or interest to the LO:CI characters. Darn it.
Final Breath
Another hour had passed. His vigil had lasted for days. There was no way he was leaving her side. He was numb – oblivious to his body's hunger, thirst and exhaustion.
The warning had just been given a week earlier, when a S.W.A.T. raid in Brooklyn uncovered a cache of hollow points... "cop killers." Thousands of rounds had been seized and, in all probability, thousands still on the street.
It took only one. So much damage had been done to her petite body.
The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor was the only thing assuring him that she was still there.
He had been holding her dainty hand for hours, their fingers and palms almost fused together by the power of his desire to somehow transfer his strength...his life force...into her small frame.
He prayed his silent prayer for what seemed like the millionth time, holding on to all hope that he would receive the miracle he so desperately needed.
And then it came.
The sound he dreaded.
No longer a rhythmic beep, but a steady, monotone drone.
He whimpered, "No."
He begged, "Please? No."
He pleaded, "Oh God, PLEASE, NNNNNOOOOOOOO!"
He implored, "NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
It was a primal scream.
He was gasping for air; his chest heaving, throat raw and burning, eyes stinging from tears. He clutched her lifeless body, laying his head on her chest, sobbing with uncontrollable spasms.
"I love you...i love you...i love you...please...you promised you'd never leave me..."
He became still.
"I know it's not your fault...you didn't mean to leave me...it'll be all right...I'll come with YOU."
End Chpt. 1.