Shock, denial, anger, depression, and acceptance—these are the five stages of grief.
The hardest part of losing someone is when you don't get a chance to say goodbye. Sometimes your last words aren't the ones you'd have chosen. Sometimes there are no words at all, only actions. The last thing she remembered was a quick hug and a final look.
They were supposed to go out after their shift. But in one blink, date night was canceled forever. In one blink, everything was canceled forever.
Four teams were dispatched on the call. Gunshots and fights—nothing unusual. Until Lucy was shot in the stomach. Until Tim was shot too. Until another officer was wounded. A sniper was hiding somewhere. SWAT quickly found him and shot him the same way he did.
John and Nyla checked on Lucy first. She was severely injured but awake. Then they checked on Tim. He was unresponsive. John wanted to start CPR, but Nyla stopped him. A bullet had hit his head. It was too late. Lucy, overcome by pain and blood loss, fainted. Paramedics rushed her to Shaw Memorial while Tim's body was taken to the morgue.
Stage 1: Shock.
When Lucy opened her eyes, the first thing she asked was, " Where's Tim? " Angela sat beside her, gently brushing a strand of Lucy's hair behind her ear, holding her hand.
" Lucy, Tim died. "
There's no easy way to say it. Angela knew it had to be quick, the truth laid bare. Tim wasn't "gone." Tim didn't "leave." No, someone killed him.
" Angela, where's Tim? "
She had to ask again.
" He's dead. Someone killed him."
Lucy ripped off her oxygen mask, trying to remove her IV.
"Lucy, stop—"
"I need to see him! Let me—"
"Lucy, you can't. He's gone."
And in that moment, her world collapsed. Her mind finally processed Angela's words: He died. Someone killed him. How could this be real? Silent tears streamed down her face.
" But... we were supposed to go on a date tonight."
Angela could only look at her, speechless. What could she say? He would never come home. He would never propose. It was all over. Lucy lay back on the pillow, staring at the ceiling, crying silently, her hand still holding Angela's.
Stage 2: Denial.
After five days in the hospital, Lucy was discharged. She barely spoke. Angela drove her home, unsure it was the right thing to do. Lucy opened the door to their apartment. Silence. When Angela closed the door, Lucy turned with a small, hopeful smile.
" Tim? "
Angela watched as realization hit. It wasn't him. It would never be him. Lucy's heart skipped, her breath caught. She locked eyes with Angela, helpless.
"Please... tell me it's a joke. Tell me he's coming home."
"No, he won't."
"He's in Witness Protection, right? You have to say he's dead to protect him, but... please, just tell me he's okay."
"His funeral is in two days, Lucy."
Angela pulled her into a hug as Lucy broke down. Two hours later, Lucy called Angela: she couldn't stay in their haunted apartment. She needed to leave. He was everywhere and it was suffocating. Their house was haunted by Tim. It was too much and too hard, at least for now.
