Blades and Bullets

43. Blades

The beeping rings in my ears as shadows pass by me, my head is dizzy and my vision is blurry.

"Patient was found DOA, dead on arrival."

** Flashback - 1 hour ago **

Sobbing I pull him to my chest, "Snap out of it Onyx, if he has any chance you need to take action now!" The tingling on my cheek from the slap knocks me to my senses and helps me to think straight.

I reach into my back pocket and pull out my work phone, I don't bring my personal one out on missions - it's traceable. I quickly dial Val and as the call rings I silently pray to anyone who will listen.

"Hello?" Her voice is tired and scratchy.

"Val! I need you- Come he- Knox- I kil- Bleeding- No pulse-" I breathe out in one large breath hoping to make enough sense for her to understand.

"Onyx? What's wrong? Where are you?" Her voice suddenly speeds up.

"Track. . . phon-" I heave my last few breaths.

"Calm down! I've tracked your location- shit!" I hear her whisper a line of silent curses, "I'm about thirty minutes out but I'll take Mace's bike and cut through Pleasant Road. Hang in there!"

The line cuts.

I let the phone drop from my hands as I frantically place Knox onto the floor and lay him out flat to begin compressions. I place on hand over the other and rest it between his ribs, push.

Pump, pump, pump, I plug his nose with my thumb and forefinger and breathe into his mouth, again.

Pump, pump, pump, breathe.

I skim my hand across his neck to feel for the right spot, with two fingers I press just below his jaw. Nothing. Again.

I don't know how long it's been but I just keep compressing, until I hear the barn doors open.

"Onyx!" There's a pause. "Where are you?!" Those words where spoken only hours before.

"ONYX!"

I don't move a muscle, the sound of my breathing had ceased.

"WHERE ARE YOU!"

He steps ahead of me and I pounce.

But now that man is here, breathless, without a beat. He lies there, cold, in a pile of his own blood, without a pulse, without a breathe. And it's all my fault.

"Onyx?!" I feel her shadow looming over me as she crouches in front of me.

"Help me, he doesn't have a pulse we need to get him to the closest hospital," I explain to her, panicked.

"What the hell?! Are you stupid?! Why did you call me instead of an ambulance he would've been on his way already!"

"Because Val what am I supposed to say? I stabbed the only boy I've ever loved because I have major trust issues and didn't want to believe he was actually good for me, and that he might actually love me?!" I scoff, tears sliding down my face, "I'm sure that would have gone real well!"

"Onyx. . ." She reaches up and wipes my cheek, I swat her hand away and stand up, carrying him bridal style in my arms - his blood still staining the remains of my shirt and pants.

"Just get him on the bike," I sneer. I know she's only trying to help but trying to change my decisions isn't helping. I just need her to listen to my instruction, I have it under control and I don't need her pity right now.

She takes my hint and her walls go up creating a mask of seriousness I've only seen her wear during her jobs.

** present tense **