So much concern for the sunnies :lol:
The unmistakable sound of the airboat engine could be heard from a distance. Horatio heard it, and he was sure Brenner heard it too.
"Get up, we've to get moving." Brenner growled, waving the gun in Horatio's direction.
Horatio took his time, slowly pushing himself to his feet, then wincing in pain. He clutched at his side more dramatically, but he didn't have to fake it, the bleeding wound was really bothering him now. He was giddy from the blood loss and dehydration.
"Move, we don't have all day." Brenner said advancing towards Horatio.
In the distance, the sound of barking dogs signalled the approach of the search and rescue team. Brenner cursed at Horatio, grabbing him by the shirt collar he shoved him forward. Horatio doubled over in pain, it wasn't really an act, but he was trying to slow them down.
The hum of the airboat engine was growing louder by the second. Brenner cursed again and decided he would abandon his idea of taking a hostage. He brushed past Horatio, starting to make a run for it. Horatio suddenly threw himself at Brenner, tackling the serial killer to the ground. Brenner was caught off guard, and they both hit the ground, Horatio on top of Brenner. Horatio managed to land a well aimed punch at Brenner's right, the side he had noticed him to be favouring. Brenner let out a grunt of pain, and Horatio tried to wrestle the gun from his hand. It required every ounce of the remaining strength Horatio had, and his heroics had only caused him more dizziness and pain but he fought on. Brenner managed to recover, hitting Horatio in the face, then landing another blow on his side. He pushed Horatio off him, leaving Horatio gasping in pain on the ground.
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They had spent almost all morning following the sniffer dogs and the blood trail. Going on foot would slow them down, so they went in the direction of the blood trail, stoping every now and then to let the dogs sniff around to make sure they will on the right track.
As afternoon approached, the dogs started to get excited and barked wildly. They had initially thought they had found Horatio, but it turned out it was a black suit jacket, discarded in the mud. It belonged to Horatio, it was obvious, it was blood-stained, and Yelina could tell Horatio was losing a considerable amount of blood. It worried her, as it did her complanions. They urged the dogs on and after another short distance in the airboat, they stopped. Once again the dogs went crazy, they had to be close. The dogs pulled hard at their leash, dragging the two police officers with them, Yelina, Frank and Eric following close behind.
Then they saw movement, a glint in the sun reflected off something metallic. There was movement in the tall grass just several feet from them.
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Still in pain, Horatio wasn't about to let the prosoner escape. He grabbed at Brenner's leg, pulling him to the ground. Brenner kicked at him, but Horatio clung on despite felling like he would pass out.
Just then the sound of rustling, followed by two large dogs bound in their direction. Brenner gave a hard kick, and started to run.
"Miami-Dade police!" Frank yelled. He saw the prisoner Ralph Brenner making a run for it, saw Horatio on the ground. He pulled out his gun.
Brenner turned to shoot, but was brought down by the poice dogs. Frank moved in to cuff Brenner as Eric provided cover.
Yelina rushed to Horatio's side. Dried blood had crusted on his face and he was breathing heavily, gritting his teeth in pain. She ran a hand through his damp red hair which was soaked in his perspiration.
"We're getting you out of here." She said, fighting back tears of relief that they found him alive.
"Yelina?" Horatio squinted his eyes, unsure if he was hallucinating.
"How's he doing?" Eric asked coming to kneel down beside Horatio as well.
"He needs medical attention, fast." Yelina said. She eyes the growing red patch on Horatio's white shirt, his fight with Brenner had made the bleeding worse and he looked pale, his breathing ragged.
"Frank radioed a helicopter, they should be here soon." Eric replied.
"You hang in there." Yelina said to Horatio. They had come too close to losing him now.
"Yelina?" Horatio gasped again.
"It's me. We're getting you out of here. You hang in there, don't give up now." She gripped his hand tightly.
Seeing her face seemed to calm Horatio and he made an attempt to slow his breathing through the fog of pain.
In the distance a a helicopter could be heard, then everything went black for Horatio.