Chapter 1

The jogger's breath came in steams in front of him, encircling his mouth. His dog was panting along side him as they rhythmic footsteps took them around another corner. The night was a cold one, and there was a chill wind that went straight through his fleece. Jack came on this same route every night with Tyler, past the story book houses, the people with 4.2 children and their Pickett fences. He smiled as he looked down at Tyler who was straining on the leash in front. He never seemed to run out of energy, which, in one way, was good for Jack as it meant he always had someone to run with.

Suddenly he noticed a change in Tyler, his barking became frenzied and his ears shot backwards. His tail was clasped between his legs and he let out a shrill whine.

"Ty…What is it?"

With no warning, he gave an almighty tight, ripping the lead straight from his hands. He whipped round the corner. Jack swore under his breath and began running after him, his trainers pounding the pavement beneath him. He turned the same corner and skidded to a halt, Ty was sat amidst someone's pristine garden. There was no fence it was open onto the road. He walked slowly towards his disobedient dog, a disapproving look on his face. He stopped in his tracks. Ty was sitting in front of a body of a teenage girl. She was sprawled in a macabre position her shirt ripped and open, her bra showing.

"Oh my god…"

Grissom made his way under the yellow tape, the usual expression on his face, the forensics jacket on his back slick with the mist in the air. He surveyed the scene. Neighbours in their pyjamas were huddled together behind the tape, officers spread at points taking statements, and the jogger and his dog were sat safely a few meters away.

"Great night for it…."

Grissom span around, and smiled. Sara stood a solemn look on her face and her kit in her hand. He lifted the tape for her as she made her way next to him.

"What we got?"

He gestured to the body as they strode over to it.

"Caucasian girl, I would say about 15. Found by the jogger, Jack Falker, his dog. He called it in."

She nodded and knelt beside the girl, there was no sign of the assistant coroner yet. No surprises there though, they seemed to be making a habit of beating him to the scene. She looked down at the girl, her heart sinking. She hated these cases. The girl's face was a map of bruises and as the jogger had noted her top was torn open and the buttons were off set.

"She's been redressed," Grissom noted. Sara looked up and nodded. Both of them looked around the ground, shining their torches expertly over each section of grass. Grissom's lit up a disturbance in the grass.

"Tire tracks."

He began to formulate a scene in his mind. This wasn't the original crime scene by the look of things. The girl had been severely beaten and he was already beginning to think sexual assault, but there was no sign of disturbance other than the marks left by a vehicle. Sara inclined her head as though following his train of thought.

"You think it's a dump? Is there any ID?"

He quickly felt through her pockets and came up with nothing. He stood up stretching his legs. He was going to grab his kit from the car, and hopefully by then David would have arrived. In the mean time,

"Take initial photo's of the body and the tracks. We'll see if we can get a make. This damp might have compromised them though."

Sara nodded and began to snap shots of the ground around the girl, as Grissom disappeared back under the yellow tape. Sara knelt beside the girl, took a close up of her face, and the bruising around her eyes. She shifted slightly and angled the camera to get a photo of the girl's outstretched wrists. She was about to take the photo when her heart shot into her mouth. The girl's fingers had twitched. She was sure of it. She shook her head and berated herself. You're losing it Sidle… She put the lens back up to her eye to try again. The fingers suddenly clenched in a violent motion. Sara shot to her feet.

"Grissom!"

He came running his kit bouncing against his legs. His face was one of worry,

"What? What is it…?"

While still watching the girl's hands, she said,

"When did the paramedic's pronounce?"

He checked his watch and looked back,

"About 30 minutes ago, why?"

Sara took a deep breath still not taking her gaze from the girl. She swallowed,

"'Cos I don't think she's dead…"

Grissom narrowed his eyes in confusing and ducked under the tape once more. He came to where Sara was stood and they both knelt down beside the body. He touched the face of the body. Ice cold. He watched her chest…there was no movement…He leant forwards slowly, closer to the face. He lifted one hand, to check the girl's pupil dilation. Her eyes shot open. Grissom jumped up and Sara took two steps backwards her heart beating ten to the dozen. Before either to do a thing, the girl rolled onto her feet, a look of pure terror on her face, mixed with pain. She began to run, although it was clearly painful. Grissom finally managed to speak.

"Well this is new…."