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One
Jessicalookeddownathim,nervousandpuzzled."We’regoingtobelate,"shepointedout.
"She’shurt."
Jessicalookedbackatthegirlonthesidewalk.Priorities:Richardhadnopriorities."Richard.We’regoingtobelate.Someoneelsewillbealong;someoneelsewillhelpher."
Thegirl’sfacewascrustedwithdirt,andherclotheswerewetwithblood."She’shurt,"hesaid,simply.TherewasanexpressiononhisfacethatJessicahadn’tseenbefore.
"Richard,"shewarned,andthensherelented,alittle,andofferedacompromise."Dial999andcallanambulancethen.Quickly,now."
Suddenlythegirl’seyesopened,whiteandwideinafacethatwaslittlemorethanasmudgeofdustandblood."Notahospital,please.They’llfindme.Takemesomewheresafe.Please."Hervoicewasweak.
"You’rebleeding,"saidRichard.Helookedtoseewhereshehadcomefrom,butthewallwasblankandbrickandunbroken.Helookedbacktoherstillform,andasked,"Whynotahospital?"
"Helpme?"thegirlwhisperedandhereyesclosed.
Againheaskedher,"Whydon’tyouwanttogotothehospital?"Thistimetherewasnoansweratall.
"Whenyoucalltheambulance,"saidJessica,"don’tgiveyourname.
