Trunk

Horatio dived into the freezing water and swam down to the sinking car. He could hear Natalia banging on the lid of the trunk but he couldn't open it. Moving to the back seat, he finally got through and pulled Natalia out, though he had no more energy and passed out. She was holding him for dear life and felt the fight go out of his body. She thought about Kaya and knew they had to survive. With everything she had, she fought, pushing them both to the surface, gasping desperately for air.

Horatio came to briefly while they waited for paramedics to arrive, and he whispered to Natalia. "I love you."

Her lips were turning blue and she was shaking, but she clung to him with everything she had left, whispering in reply. The paramedics finally arrived and took over trying to save Horatio, while one looked after Natalia. She cried out when they were separated, grasping for his hand.

"Ma'am, it's okay. We need to take the two of you to the hospital," said one of the medics gently as he wrapped a blanket around Natalia's shoulders.

"H...Horatio..."

Horatio stirred but didn't wake up.

Natalia kept trying to find his hand, hold his hand again. Finally, the medics gave in and put Natalia in the same ambulance as Horatio, though one medic sat with her to keep an eye on her. She couldn't stop shivering, couldn't quite catch her breath, but she never stopped fighting, stopped trying to be with him. The medic sitting with Natalia wrapped a second blanket around her, seeing her shivering.

"Help...help him."

"They are. I'm here to look after you."

"Help him."

"Ma'am, I need you to relax please. The medics are doing their jobs."

"You don't...you don't understand." She whispered, her eyes closing.

"Ma'am, what don't I understand?"

Natalia didn't respond.

"Ma'am?" The medic pulled his stethoscope off and checked Natalia. "Ma'am? Can you hear me?"

She still didn't respond. Her hand was almost touching Horatio's. The medic immediately started to check her, looking for her vital signs.