Laura grabed her coat with one hand and grabbed Tomo with the other.  She told Demitri to make sure Liz didn't get out.  That wasn't the real reason.  Her real reason was she didn't want Demitri to go out in a dangerous situation.  Demitri didn't look happy, but at least he would be safe.

The cats hadn't offered many details.  Just that Abby was hurt and on the riverside path under the bridge. She went down Church Street and crossed Queen Street to get on to the riverside path.

Once on the path, she released Tomo who ran ahead of her in classic lassie style.

Laura knew she was out of shape by the time she reached the library.  Already her breath was coming in gasps and her lungs pounding.  She slowed to a trot, which annoyed Tomo.

As they approached the bridge, Laura couldn't see anything.  Tomo disappeared into the darkness under the bridge.

Cursing herself for not bringing a flashlight, Laura waited until her eyes adjusted.

Abby was lying on her front.  Cee was draped over her back in an effort to stop the bleeding and keep her warm. Both were covered with blood. Abby's face was deathly pale.

Laura forgot the stitch in her side. She forgot her lack of breath. She knew that she had to do something and that she was the only one who could do it.

Her life saving skills from swimming kicked in.  Abby's pulse was racing. She was still breathing.  Laura ripped a strip from Abby's torn blouse.  She bound the bit on Abby's arm.  There was little she could do for the scratches accross her back.

With a strength born of adrenaline, Laura managed to drape Abby over her shoulder in a firemans carry.  The two cats led the way as Laura raced back to her apartment.