(no subject)
I've gotten so used to the calls that come over the radio. Disturbance in the park, victims down, one dead, ambulances on the way. Routine situation. I took my car to the scene because I was on my way into work when I heard the call. I'm not sure what made me drive straight to the scene without checking in at the station. Standard procedure is to check in first, take a patrol car.
Except I think I knew this wasn't a standard call. The location was the park. In the back of my head I knew Xander mentioned he was patrolling the park with the kids. I've heard people talk about how your life can flash before your eyes in a life and death situation. I always assumed that happened if you were the one dying.
Yet when I got out of my car and saw Zoe crying next to Candace and Marcus standing with some of the others on the other side of the park, my life flashed before my eyes because I couldn't see Xander. My blood ran cold and for that brief second nothing else registered except the fear that he was gone. That I'd lost him. Then he answered me when I called out his name and the reality of the situation hit like buckets of cold water being thrown on me.
Zoe was crying next to Candace's body. Xander was kneeling next to Nick. Apply pressure to two vamp bites and Nick was pale and barely breathing. Marcus was holding a sword. Amber was injured and hysterical. Jake was shell shocked.
It was a war zone. Not a park. My family and friends were the casualties. I've never shrugged off a case before. I've never claimed I was to personally involved. Until last night. Because last night it wasn't some report that needed to be filed. It was Candace, Zoe, Nick, Amber, Marcus...Xander.
I called Buffy and told her what happened. She brought me Candace's parents number and offered to make the call. I let her. I couldn't call them and tell them I failed to protect the little girl they entrusted in my care.
We spent the night at the hospital. Nick got placed in a room and his parents were allowed to see him briefly. They are just waiting for him to wake up now. It looks like he'll be all right. At least there is that.
Xander is a mess. Marcus is inconsolable. Zoe and Amber were released from the hospital and I've got to go home and pack up Candace's stuff. Zoe offered to do it, but I can't let her do it alone. At least I can try and help her.
Except I think I knew this wasn't a standard call. The location was the park. In the back of my head I knew Xander mentioned he was patrolling the park with the kids. I've heard people talk about how your life can flash before your eyes in a life and death situation. I always assumed that happened if you were the one dying.
Yet when I got out of my car and saw Zoe crying next to Candace and Marcus standing with some of the others on the other side of the park, my life flashed before my eyes because I couldn't see Xander. My blood ran cold and for that brief second nothing else registered except the fear that he was gone. That I'd lost him. Then he answered me when I called out his name and the reality of the situation hit like buckets of cold water being thrown on me.
Zoe was crying next to Candace's body. Xander was kneeling next to Nick. Apply pressure to two vamp bites and Nick was pale and barely breathing. Marcus was holding a sword. Amber was injured and hysterical. Jake was shell shocked.
It was a war zone. Not a park. My family and friends were the casualties. I've never shrugged off a case before. I've never claimed I was to personally involved. Until last night. Because last night it wasn't some report that needed to be filed. It was Candace, Zoe, Nick, Amber, Marcus...Xander.
I called Buffy and told her what happened. She brought me Candace's parents number and offered to make the call. I let her. I couldn't call them and tell them I failed to protect the little girl they entrusted in my care.
We spent the night at the hospital. Nick got placed in a room and his parents were allowed to see him briefly. They are just waiting for him to wake up now. It looks like he'll be all right. At least there is that.
Xander is a mess. Marcus is inconsolable. Zoe and Amber were released from the hospital and I've got to go home and pack up Candace's stuff. Zoe offered to do it, but I can't let her do it alone. At least I can try and help her.