HLF

“Did you do it? Did you get the one you were after?”

The man turned to the driver, forcing down the anger that threatened to boil from him in an undirected rage. “No.” A simple word, one that told of his failure. His eyes narrowed as he thought of how close he had been to achieving his goal. She wouldn’t have even known I had come in…I would have been so gentle with her. Freed her from her life of sin; I would have saved her. His hands clenched, that fucking brunette. It’s okay…I took care of her…he looked from his window at the passing houses. His eyes sliding closed, hiding those terrible glacier blue eyes from the world. Work makes me so tired…

HLF

Spencer’s hands shook as she turned Ashley onto her back, trying her best to remember everything she had been taught about CPR while in training at the academy. Trying and failing to recall any of it. Terrified that she could be the ultimate cause of her partner’s death, “Ashley!” she grabbed her shoulders, shaking them as if that would bring the dark-haired cop back from the brink of death, as if that simple act could reach past the cold veil placed over her life and pull her back into the world of the living.

“Move!” Someone pushed her roughly away, taking her place next to Ashley before she had time to react.

“Mikel?” Spencer whispered his name as if in a dream.

He ignored her, as though she hadn’t spoken at all; placing his hands expertly against Ashley’s still chest pressing down in quick bursts, pausing before bending over and breathing air into her lungs, trying with all his might to save her, praying he wouldn’t fail. She’s going to die…he tried once more, already feeling the weight of her death. Pushing down, when Ashley arched up, her eyes flying open as she drew a deep ragged breath before crashing back down to the ground.

“Carlin…”

Spencer knelt back down, across from Mikel, trying to make sense of the situation, taking Ashley’s hand. “Yeah…I’m here.”

Ashley frowned slightly, her brows drawing together over golden brown eyes. Why’s she crying…“You’re okay?” Her voice was shaky as she asked the question, her lungs laboring back to work. I’m so tired…

“I’m fine. I promise.”

Ashley nodded as best she could from her position on the ground, her eyes sliding closed, content in the knowledge that she hadn’t failed her partner.

“Spencer Carlin.” Mikel spoke her name with a forcefulness she wouldn’t expect from him. He appeared changed somehow, less effeminate, his square jaw tightened. “You need to call your Chief and inform him of tonight’s situation. I’m sure he’d want to know one of his officers has been attacked.”

“W-what?” Spencer ran a hand through her hair, confused. “How do you know all of this?”

He looked back at her. His reflection unnervingly calm as he met her questioning gaze. “Mikel Richardson. I’m FBI.”