Happy holidays, everyone!
Title: Shattered Soul
Author: Cindy Ryan
Frank poked his head through Cheryl's open office door. The look on his boss's face didn't sit any better with him than Matt's retreating, solemn form. He didn't want to believe that there was nothing more they could do for Emily.
But he'd been a cop too long to know better.
"That's it? We're done?"Frank asked quietly.
Cheryl nodded grimly. "Unfortunately. I'm going to go bring the D.C. agents up to speed. I already sent Lia home to get some sleep. I want you and Duff to do the same. I'm going to need you back here bright and early tomorrow."
Frank nodded. One person short or not, the CNU didn't close. "What about Matt?"
Cheryl came to stand in the doorway. "He's on leave."
Frank blinked, not what he'd been expecting to hear. "Your idea or his?"
"His."
Emily awoke, her eyes feeling like they were covered with large cotton balls. Her mouth was dry and every muscle and bone in her body ached with pain. For a brief moment she was disoriented, not knowing where she was or what had happened.
Then the stale air in the mine shaft registered and Emily's eyes flew open.
How long she had been asleep, Emily could not know. She slowly sat up and fumbled in the nearby bag of supplies for the precious bottle of water.
Emily gulped down two large swallows before she was able to force her body to slow down. Breathing heavily she placed the cap back on the bottle and put it back in the bag.
Fighting against the sharp pain any movement brought Emily once again dug through the supply bag. She wasn't hungry by any means,but knew she had to eat something. Emily vaguely remembered eating a strawberry cereal bar as she threw stuff in her car as she left Matt's.
The thought of Matt brought a fresh wave of tears. Emily blinked them back with determination as her hand closed around an individual fruit cup. She settled back in the sleeping bag, gingerly propping herself against the wall.
Some how, some way, Emily had to find a way out.
She wasn't going to let Ellis win.
An angry horn honk from behind caused Matt to jump. Apparently he'd been so lost in thought that he'd sat through the green turn arrow. With a sigh, Matt coaxed his car out into the intersection and waited for the oncoming traffic to break. He glanced at the clock on the radio, nearly eight. Matt decided he'd go home, shower and change, throw a couple changes of clothes in a bag.
The traffic eased and Matt made the turn. As he did he could feel the strain and ache in his back muscles and arms. He knew he desperately needed rest, but he just couldn't.
He'd rest when Emily was safe.
Not a minute before.