Book I: The Others - Chapter 8 - An Ending (Part 2)

He had nearly been too late to save her. When he arrived, all he saw was the blood and the fact the Catherine had stopped breathing. He couldn’t immediately tell exactly where her injuries were because she was covered with both her’s and Conner’s blood. He knelt beside her as he rolled her onto her back and gently placed his right hand on her chest. He closed his eyes in intense concentration as he searched for any shred of life that might still remain. But there was nothing there, nothing for him to grab onto.

He opened his eyes and stared up into the drizzle that was beginning to fall. His control broke as the tears flowed down his cheeks. He screamed into the night sky, “NO! THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!”

His eyes fell back to Catherine’s body and his resolve hardened as he whispered, “This won’t happen.” He said it with a finality that left no alternative.

He leaned forward over her once again and opened her blouse placing his hands on both sides of her ribcage. Closing his eyes again, he remained motionless. In seconds the air around them began to crackle. As the city lights above and around them begin to dim, an invisible sphere of energy expanded, surrounding Mac and then Catherine as it grew. Mac’s hair slowly began to stand on end, and if he’d been paying attention, he would have tasted ozone in the air. As the rain hit the sphere, it sizzled slightly and jumped away. Not a drop fell on the two within the ball of energy.

With a great convulsion, the sphere collapse into Mac, and Catherine’s back arched as arcs of electricity passed between his hands.

Visibly shaking from the effort, Mac again felt for a spark of life knowing that this was her last chance. His hand touched several points along her body, starting at the top of her head and moving along it, laying a hand on her forehead, throat, chest, stomach, and groin. Still nothing.

He was desperate now. “Come on Catherine. Don’t give up now. Think of Jesse. Fight it! Fight it with every ounce of your being!”

His whole body shook on the edge of total exhaustion, but not knowing what else to do he worked his way back up her wet body. Then he felt it -- the smallest of sparks. He focused on the area above her heart. It was getting stronger.

He let out a sob of relief. He whispered both to himself and Cat, “That’s good. Keep going.” He knew that although she wasn’t technically alive yet, at least he had something to work with. He redoubled his efforts, trying to nurture that little bit of life toward him, toward the living world.
He breathed into her mouth as he sensed the tiniest thread of a heartbeat.

In her ear, he pleaded, “Come on Catherine, you’re almost there. All you have to do is breathe for me. Just one breath. For Jesse. For me. Please.” He was on the edge now, begging for her life and about ready to pass out. This was it. “Breathe. Now!”

And she did.

With a great cough, she began to breathe on her own. It was shallow but regular. He turned her on her side to allow any fluid to drain out of her mouth.

Before he collapsed into unconsciousness, he heard the sirens arriving. They found him on his side next to Catherine. They were both unconscious, but her hand was under his head, propping it up, keeping it out of the growing puddle of water and gore that surrounded them.

Chapt. 8 - An Ending (Part 3)