It was only a momentary pause, but that one moment spoke volumes to the life and death struggle that had taken place in this room.

Before Thompson was a young, blond woman in obvious pain and anguish kneeling over what appeared to be another woman who was drenched in blood. The blood had pooled under the body near obvious wounds, cuts most likely, but the blood was also splattered on the floor, the walls, and even the ceilinga sure sign of a violent struggle.

With the amount of blood near the body, Thompson was surprised to see more down the hallway and on the walls and ceiling of the next room.

Her mind and eyes were brought back to the scene directly in front of her as she realized the young blond was still desperately performing CPR. Thompson winced as she noted that every chest compression resulted in blood gushing from no less than half a dozen wounds.

She crossed to the young woman who was still counting. Her heart was heavy as the blond leaned back on her heels, clutched her knees and while looking to the heavens sobbed BREATHEOh God, please Marcey breathe. Her voice trailed off to almost a whisper as she buried her face in her drenched hands and began to quietly cry.

Thomspon gave a steadying gaze to the rest of her team. Their experience told them that this was not a medical call. It was not a rescue. It was a homicide and their role now was to preserve evidence and the safety of the witness before them.

Careful not to startle Tina, Thompson lightly touched the young womans arm. Why dont you let us take over from here? She asked quietly with as much comfort in her voice as she could possibly muster.

Tina tensed at the light touch and pulled her face from her hands. She looked up and met the eyes of every person in the room, searching for answers, searching for comfort, searching for any sign that this was a nightmare they had come to wake her from.

Finding no answers she returned her eyes to Marcey. Was there a time they hadnt been friends? She shook her head slightly as she answered her own question.

No, she said quietly at first as she shook her head. No? Thompson asked waiting to understand Tinas meaning.

No, Tina said more emphatically. I am not leaving her. I cant leave her. Shes the only family I have. Tina desperately searched the paramedics face and knew that she didnt understand. How could she. How could she possible know that the only person who cared whether Tina Kennard lived or died had just died in Tinas arms.

It was too much. They all watched helplessly as the truth reached Tinas heart and mind and soul. The anguished cry that came next was so raw, and true and full of pain that every person in the room felt like they were intruding just by hearing it.

I cant breathe, Tina said quietly as she gathered Marceys lifeless form in her arms and slowly rested her cheek on her friends cold and lifeless form.

TBC