Too Late

I run and run and run. Across the street, through the alley ways, I run and run and run. I can’t stop, I can’t rest or I will lose. I've never lost anything, not at all. I always won. I clench my fists as I speed through the crowds heading towards an apartment building. I can’t stop, I can’t rest. I have to get there before it’s too late.
An image of her auburn hair, tipped with vivid shades of blues, pinks, and purples; lightly curled at the ends, framing her petite shape. It burns in my mind together with her bright hazel orbs and a wide smile upon her lightly freckled face. I close my eyes for a brief moment, careful not to trip on my dark red platform boots. Curse me for wearing such a heavy coat, I can’t run like this. Her image pans backward from her face in my mind and I can see her clothing; sweaters. Fluffy, over sized sweaters. She loves wearing them no matter the weather; cat theme sweaters, Dr. Who theme sweaters, Homestuck theme sweaters, Harry Potter theme sweaters. She loves all kinds of sweaters but mainly those from her favourite things. There are even sweaters covered with paint and other materials. She is an artist you see?

I find myself running faster as her image stays, I have to get there in time. I let her smiling figure be the motivation I need to give my all. I can’t lose now. I won’t let this be the first time I lose. She is my partner, I am her Sherlock and she is my Watson. Yes, I am an investigator, Josie Stone is my name. I wipe the sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand, my heavy grey coat pulling me down. My short shorts and my turtleneck sweater absorbing the moisture from my body. I normally wear black and grey tones but Piper always wanted me to have some colour too. Hence the boots. Piper Lee; my partner. Her name plays itself within my head, I can’t afford to be thinking so leisurely about this!

I grit my teeth remembering why I am running in the first place to her apartment. Curse the phone call! Curse everything! I should have known that the person we’re after lives at her apartment, all the clues led to that person so clearly how could I have not noticed?! With a burst of energy I stumble into the apartment building and scramble up the stairs. I hear the howling of the police sirens below me, someone from the police center must have called to give me backup. I make my way up the stairs, I hope I’m not too late. Reaching into my belt I pull out my gun and held it close as I approached the door to my partner’s apartment. I hesitantly knock on the door and wait silently. I cannot alert the killer, if they are there that is.

No answer. I bit my lip and clench my gun tightly; not a good sign. I carefully turn the doorknob; unlocked. I held my breath and opened the door. Everything is silent, this is not good. I tiptoe my way into her apartment, pointing my gun in almost every direction. I can never be too careful in a situation like this. Her apartment is covered in artwork as always. Paintings leaning against the walls of the apartment, papers strewn across the floor, and sculptures sitting in corners. Her bright pastel pink walls and light furniture were as they should. Everything seemed untouched and in their place. But there is no sign of Piper.

Suddenly there was the sound of a gunshot followed by a thud coming from her studio. Why she has a studio when she uses her entire apartment as one I have no idea but now is not the time to contemplate such matters. I rush into her studio to find a man lying motionless on the floor with a hole in his forehead. I point the gun at him for a brief moment before pointing it to a whimpering figure in the corner clutching a gun with one hand and an arm across her abdomen. “Piper?” I gasp. Piper looks up at me with tears streaming down her paint stained face. She tosses the gun to one side as I place mine back in my belt and run to her side.

“Jo..” She starts, “I killed..” I hushed her as I held her in my arms.

“It’s alright Piper.” I say, “He’s the man we’re looking for.”

“He attacked me..” She whispers and I held her tighter. As my hands stroked her back I felt something sticky on the fluffy sweater she is wearing. Looking at my hand I freeze; blood. I open my mouth to confront her but I feel her collapse in my arms.

“Piper!” I cry out, holding her close. “Piper stay with me!” I pry off her am that lay across her abdomen and cried when I see the huge bleeding gash. Too late. My brain cries out, too late! Too late! TOO LATE! I hold her in my arms crying, waiting for her to respond; to tell me it is okay.

But there is no response. I lost, I am too late.