He shook his head hard. He had to snap out of it. He had to go into doctor mode. He needed to step back, to have that layer of distance between himself and his patient. Now when he looked, he saw Lexa, but her wounds were still devastating. Praying he wasnt too late, he dialed 911.

911. Whats your emergency?

Despite the panic he felt, he called on his years of training to stay calm in the face of disaster. This is Dr. Morgan Stark of Georgetown University Hospital. I am behind the apartment building at 237 Tompkins Avenue. There is a woman here who is bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds. She is unconscious. I need an ambulance STAT!

The sound of a computer keyboard being typed on came through the speaker of the phone. Yes, Dr. Stark. Ive got your location. Emergency personnel are on their way to you now.

Good. He dropped the phone to the ground, leaving the connection open. Lexa! Lexa, can you hear me?

No response. He ripped off his shirt and wadded it up against her chest and abdomen, trying to stop the flow of blood from the wounds. The cold bit at him. He didnt care.

He pressed his fingers against her carotid. Dear God. No pulse. Quickly, he checked her airway. There was nothing blocking her mouth or throat. He tilted her head back and blew in two quick breaths, gratified to see her chest rise and fall. He checked her carotid again. Still nothing.

Im starting chest compressions, he barked to the phone.

Placing the heel of his hand in the center of her chest, he put his other hand on top of it and enlaced his fingers. He pushed in, praying he wasnt breaking any of her ribs.

Come on, Lexa, he gasped out as he kept up the compressions at around two per second. He didnt know what else to do, what else to say. The need to save her was so strong in him that it threatened to overwhelm him. Come on back.

He stopped and checked her carotid again. Still nothing. No no no. He blew in two rescue breaths. Her face was pale, so pale. He returned to the compressions again. Sirens wailed nearby and he prayed they were coming to him.

Please, Lexa. Please come back.

Footsteps rang out in the alley behind him.

Sir! Weve got this. Strong hands pulled at his shoulders.

He kept going. How could he trust anyone else to do this? It had to be done right. It had to be done by him.

Sir! Let us in there to help. Please!

Two sets of hands interlaced his arms and pulled him back. He looked to either side. Police officers. The EMTs rushed in and took over, checking vitals and starting an IV line.

Shes a healthy twenty-five-year old woman, Morgan called to them. No underlying conditions.

One of the EMTs glanced over her shoulder. Get him out of here.