Sorry it took me a little longer than planned to get this chapter out, for those following, I promise I will finish this story. Nothing is more annoying to me than the writers who say they will finish and never do. I hope your all still enjoying the read. Just a heads up this chapter has blood, Violence, and trauma. so just keep that in mind when reading.
Chapter 5
Caitlyn found herself on all fours, trying to piece together what had just happened. She looked up to see a body lying next to her. She called out but couldn't hear her own voice over the ringing in her ears. She pushed herself up, while drawing her rifle, unsure the threat wasn't still present. After carefully surveying the area, she ran back to the body below.
"Viii", she screamed, as she dropped to her knees. She looked down at her friend covered in a blanket of red. Caitlyn grabbed a handkerchief out of her pocket, prepared to help stop the bleeding, but there was so much blood, she didn't even know where to start. She reached for her radio to call for help, and with a shaky voice yelled as she pressed the button.
"Officer down, I repeat officer down. We need all medical units to my location NOW". She then pushed the button on the side of the radio, giving aide her exact location.
Caitlyn then reached her hands over Vi's body, looking for a pulse, as she heard a woman's voice reply on the other end of the radio.
"All available medical units have been dispatched and are in route".
She continued combining over Vi's body for signs of life, just then Vi's eyes shot open, she gasped for air. Caitlyn urged forward holding onto her partner, as she continued to try and slow the life that was clearly draining out of her partner.
"Vi, it's going to be ok, help is on the way, just stay with me". Caitlyn said as she tried to remain calm, but the fear was making its way to the surface. She looked down at Vi's side as blood continued to pool, and just when she thought it couldn't get any worse, Vi began to choke on her blood. Wheezing and gasping for air, as blood found its way up her throat pouring out of her mouth. Vi reached up grabbing Caitlyn by the collar of her shirt, as she tried to collect more air, as if begging Caitlyn to help her, to ease some of this pain away and give her oxygen. Caitlyn grabbed the hand that was holding her in place, hoping to give some sort of comfort to her friend. But Vi's grip was too tight, as if she were holding onto something for dear life. Tears began to pour from Caitlyn's cheeks, as she kneeled next to her friend, unable to help, as the sounds of Vi gasping for air became louder, clouding all her thoughts.
"Please don't give up, don't leave me, not again".
Vi looked into Caitlyn's eyes staring as if she understood, but her breathing became worse, as more blood was choked up, and her grip on Caitlyn became tighter, just before her hand went limp, falling into Caitlyn's.
"No Vi, you can't go".
Just then Caitlyn was being rushed by multiple people. One grabbed her by the shoulder, while others rushed to Vi as they pulled multiple pieces of equipment from their bags and began working on Vi. Caitlyn was pulled back by a young woman who was trying to assess the Sherriff for any injuries.
"I'm fine, I'm fine, please just save Vi". Caitlyn said as she watched the medical team strapping Vi to a stretcher.
"You can't let her die, you hear me. Do whatever it takes".
The young girl nodded her head as she realized the desperation in the Sherriffs voice.
"The ambulance is just at the end of the alley; come we will get you both there". The young medic then motioned for Caitlyn to follow the group that was carrying Vi.
Caitlyn ran up as they were loading Vi into the ambulance. She jumped in and sat down across from Vi as the doors closed. The medics continued to work on the helpless victim laying in front of them. Caitlyn watched as they cut the outer clothes from Vi, revealing multiple gunshot holes that were still releasing large amounts of red liquid.
Caitlyn began to panic even more as her worst fears began to surface. Negative thoughts flooded her brain with images of things like a funeral or Vi's desk now empty. She tried to chase these thoughts away as the medics began to get the bleeding more under control. But just as thoughts of impending doom we fading they were replaced with even more destructive ones.
'This is all my fault. Vi's dying because of me. I wouldn't let her take her gauntlets, I wouldn't stop nagging her, I wasn't paying attention. She sacrificed herself for me'.
Before Caitlyn fell into utter darkness, she was pulled back by the sound of the ambulance pulling into the hospital. She looked up as multiple doctors and nurses sat waiting for them. As soon as the doors opened, the stretcher was pulled out. Caitlyn watched as her friend was being wheeled away. She exited the ambulance and stood there watching people in hospital scrubs rushing around her. Unable to fully process what was happening.
There was no sound, just movement as people rushed about, doing their jobs. Caitlyn had no idea how long she had been standing there before a nurse gently putting her hand on her shoulder.
"Ma'am you can't be standing here, I'll show you where the waiting area is, you should probably call someone to come get you, you could use some clean clothes, and a nice shower would probably help".
Caitlyn looked down at her hands that were now covered in dry blood, her uniform stained with dark patches.
"what's happening to my friend, the enforcer that was shot, where is she"?
"I believe your friend is in surgery, I will make sure to let the doctor know you are awaiting updates on the enforcers condition".
"Yes, tell them I the Sherriff need to know as soon as they can please".
"Yes Sherriff", said the nurse as she ushered Caitlyn into the waiting room.
As Caitlyn made her way to the back of the room, she felt the eyes of the other people in the room following her. She was sure it was due to the condition she was in, but found herself unable to do anything about it, not without information on her friend.
Caitlyn sat waiting, minutes, hours, she had no idea. All she wanted was an update, someone telling her Vi was still alive. Just when she thought she couldn't take it anymore a familiar voice called her name.
"Caitlyn, you're here. I've been looking everywhere for you. I've been so worried. I heard about a shooting, but no one would tell me anything".
"Jack, what are you doing here"?
"I came to check on you". he said as he leaned in, grabbing Caitlyn into a hug".
Caitlyn sat limp, not returning the embrace "I'm fine, I just need to know what's happening with Vi". She said as she scanned the room hoping to find a nurse.
Jack released her, now looking at her condition his eyes opened wide. "You don't look fine, Cait, you're covered in, is that blood, are you hurt"?
"I said I'm fine. This isn't about me, I need to find a doctor now". Caitlyn pushed passed Jack and headed towards a nurse's station. An older woman was sat behind the desk.
"What can I help you with dear"?
"I've been waiting hours, I need to know what is happening with Vi, the enforcer that was brought in with gunshot wounds, please I just need to know she's still alive". Caitlyn said as she fought back tears.
"Yes, let me check in with the other staff and see if we can't get you an update ok".
"Thank you", Caitlyn said as she slowly made her way back to her seat, now next to Jack.
"I really think you should get cleaned up and looked at".
"I told you I'm not leaving until I have information", she said through gritted teeth.
Jack decided not to push her as he saw the anger in her words. They both sat waiting patiently.
Caitlyn was becoming frustrated again as time passed without so much as a hint of what was going on. She tried to remain calm, to distract herself, but it became harder and harder as time passed. She closed her eyes trying to calm herself down, but all she could see was red, bright red liquid filling her vision. She jumped up out of her chair in a panic. Jack jumped as she did, scared she might be hurt. He reached out to hold her hand, but she pulled it away. She began walking towards the nurse's station ready to demand an answer, when the doors in front of her opened, and a man in a Dr's coat entered.
"Sheriff Kirraman".
"Yes, that's me, how is she"? She said as she rushed in front of the Dr.
"Yes well, your friend is lucky to still be alive. She lost a lot of blood".
"So, she's alive"? Caitlyn said as she allowed herself to finally breath properly for the first time in hours".
"Yes, she is alive, but not out of the woods just yet. She was shot 3 times. 1 hit her right arm just below the shoulder. Broke some of the bone, but thankfully the tendons and nerves don't seem to have been affected. The 2nd hit her right side just below her chest. It broke a couple ribs and punctured her lung. We were able to get her patched back up, and she should be breathing on her own soon. The 3rd bullet, well that one, did the most damage. It hit her left hip, shattering the hip bone. We have done what we can for now to fix it, but we had to install a metal plate and some screws. She won't be able to walk on her own for a while, and will probably need a lot of physical therapy, with a possible second surgery. But we won't know until she has had some time to heal".
Caitlyn looked at the Dr shocked. Her partner, her friend. The women who just saved her life was still alive, but in bad shape. "When can I see her"?
"Well, they are still finishing up the surgery now. And she will need to rest, probably won't wake up for at least a few more hours".
"Thank you, Dr,". Jack said as he reached out his hand to shake his.
"Well let's get you home and cleaned up ya"?
"No" Caitlyn said looking up at Jack. "I can't leave her; I can't let her wake up alone".
"There's nothing you can do for her now. You need to come home and take care of yourself. She's going to be just fine". Jack said as he was becoming a little frustrated now.
"I can't leave her, I won't not for "but she paused before finishing her sentence.
"Look she's only your partner at work, a colleague, I get you care about her safety but". Jack was now being interrupted by a new presence.
"Jayce". Caitlyn shouted as she ran over and embraced her friend.
"Cait, I just heard, how is she, and are you hurt, are you OK"? He said as he looked down at her, still covered in the now dry blood from Vi.
"I'm fine, it's not mine" she said as she proceeded to tell Jayce about Vi's condition.
"Well, what happened, how did Vi get shot"? Jayce said looking more concerned.
"We were, well we were in the alley when". But Caitlyn froze, unable to relive the horror as flashes of Vi bleeding in front of her reaching up and grabbing her kept repeating in her mind.
Jayce noticed the pain of having to relive the moment was causing her. "Hey, you don't need to think about that right now. Vi's going to be ok". He said as he brought her in for another hug. Causing Jack, who had been watching, to become a little jealous with how easy it was for Caitlyn to be with Jayce, when she just seemed annoyed by his presence.
"Caitlyn I really think we should get you home and cleaned up". Jack said again, hoping Jayce would back him up.
"I said I'm not leaving".
Jayce grabbed Caitlyn's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Cait, I think Jack's right. Vi isn't going to be up for hours, and do you really want her to see you like that. I can't imagine that would be good for either of you".
Caitlyn looked at herself realizing Jayce might be right. If Vi were to wake up and see her covered in blood it could really be bad. "Your right Jayce. I'll run home get cleaned up and be right back". She said as she looked more sternly at Jack "I'm coming right back".
"Alright, I'll drive you home and can even bring you back if you like". Jack said, trying to hide his annoyance.
The car ride to Caitlyn's house was quiet and awkward. Jack was frustrated with the way she seemed to be acting towards him, and Caitlyn just wanted to go home get cleaned up and be right back at the hospital.
Jack couldn't understand Caitlyn's need to be there for Vi. He didn't think they were even that close. Caitlyn occasionally had talked about Vi in the past, but only when she would tell him small bits and stories about some of their cases. She rarely ever did though. She never liked mixing work with her personal life. That's why Jack started showing up at the precinct for lunch. He wanted to be more involved in her life, whether Caitlyn liked it or not. But not once while he was there did Vi ever join them or show interest in Caitlyn's life.
Caitlyn ran inside her home followed by her fiancé. She threw her things down on the side table noticing the time on the small clock. Almost midnight, she couldn't believe how much time had passed since she was just having lunch with her friend to the events that led her to needing to shower the blood of her friend away. She walked back to her room before entering. "I'm just going to get showered, then I'm heading straight back to the hospital, feel free to let yourself out".
Jack was not happy with how easily Caitlyn was dismissing him. He was going to leave her house, when her hex tech phone began to ring. Knowing she was about to enter the shower; he grabbed the device.
"Hello, Sherriff Kirramans phone".
"Oh yes, this is Dr Samuels, the one overseeing officer Vi. I just wanted to let the Sherriff know that Vi is doing really well, and that she is showing signs of waking up much sooner than we anticipated. If you could tell her to return as soon as possible, I know she wanted to be here when she woke up"?
"Ah yes Dr thank you so much, ill make sure to let her know".
After hearing Jacks voice, Caitlyn stuck her head out of her room. "Was that my phone, who was is, is Vi ok"?
"Ah yes, that was just the Dr, he said they are still in surgery, just closing up a few more things, and that you still have plenty of time before she wakes".
"Oh, ok good". Caitlyn said as she shut her door, readying herself to get in the shower. She reached into her top drawer pulling out clean undergarments, revealing a letter that was hidden underneath. Caitlyn stared at the folded piece of paper that sat against the wood, normally covered by items. She pulled it out, flipping it through her fingers, reading "Cait" on top of it. She sat down on her bed as she stared at the letter, remembering who gave it to her.
She was instantly flooded with the memory of the last time Vi left her, leaving the letter behind in her place. Caitlyn never opened, never read it. Afraid of what it might read. She always hated that Vi could so easily leave her behind, not just once, but 3 times. Over time she had forgiven Vi, but still couldn't find the courage to open the letter, until now.