• My body quivers, my heart slows. The light in my hazel eyes dim as I stare out at the person holding me. 'Why?' I think to myself, blood trickles down my bottom lip, down my chin and forms a droplet on the dirt road beneath us.
    "Rollie, it will be okay Vanessa is getting you an ambulance just hang in there." his voice rings through my ears as I struggle to remember who or where I am, I can't talk back or move my arms.
    "I am so tired." the voice is weird and foreign to me, my eyes flicker closed but I am shaken gently back awake.
    "I know but you can't go to sleep or you will die." His voice is shaking now, and for the first time I really see who it is, Reede, covered in blood. 'what happened to him?' I wonder aloud then notice a woman, my age, standing behind him. Tears are in her eyes and she has her mouth covered with her fair skinned hand.
    "Vanessa?" I ask aloud not knowing whether I said this or not, My mind is all fuzzy and it makes me dizzy. I make an effort to sit up as I have a crazy urge I am missing something, then his hand is on my shoulder, I c**k my hand enough to see him, 'Your here, you didn't leave me.' I think my eyes giving a little emotion as the blood came from my mouth again this time mixed with vomit,
    "Am I going to Die?" I ask aloud and everyone just stands there like they don't know,
    "No." Comes his perfect wonderful voice after a few moments of silence, " I will not let you." He says and takes me into his own arms from Reede's, it feels good to be in someone Else's arms instead of a heart breaker.
    I sigh and nod against his chest as a sudden sharp pain comes from my stomach, "What happened to me?" I grit through the onslaught of pain and breath heavily after it is done, 'Why am I so weak.' I think to myself and take enormous effort to move my hands down the front of the dress I was wearing, I remember now as a sudden involuntary flash back hits me.
    I am at a birthday party for one of my friends, It is an elegant formal kind of sweet sixteen and everyone I know is there. I am off in a corner by myself in the beautiful pink dress my mother got me. The music is playing as everyone is dancing, I watch contently. But suddenly everything goes black around my eyes and I feel a strong arm grasp around my waste, letting out a light and playful laugh I can smell his cologne, "Joe." I laugh and he twirls me into his strong embrace. My laughter continues as he kisses me on the lips long and passionately.
    Pulling away lightly, as they announce that presents are about to be distributed, I gasp "I will be right back I have to grab my present in the car." I say and he laughs as I run off gracefully towards the exit and parking lot. I can hear a car pull up but I don't pay much attention as I walk quickly towards my car. Opening the door I pick up the pink wrapped box in the passenger seat and turn back only to see a rifle barrel in my face. "Walk." I gruff voice commands and grabs me by the hair and points me towards an old looking truck, I shake my head and he hits me on the back, "Fine." I hiss and walk towards his pickup truck he shoves me in the front seat and takes a handcuff to my left arm to the outside of the door, then smiles at me, I recognize him and suddenly afraid, "Help." I say to myself knowing no will hear me, then I get lucky, I see two of my friends walking towards the door talking as the mans walks to the other side. They see me and start to run to my side
    I shake my head and they look confused, "get the others." I mouth they nod.
    I flash back to reality as I am lifted into the ambulance and taken towards the hospital, he rides with me and holds my hand. The flash back suddenly starts again as they give me medication
    A few moments later the man hasn't taken me far and my friends are following quit nicely, he gets out and turns to the others, "What do you want?" He asks his voice glazed over as he had been drinking. The two boys get out and tackle him and the girls run to my side, my heart is beating fast as they undo the cuffs and let me out. I run to the other side and watch as the man throws down the boys and aims the gun at Vanessa, I jump just as he pulls the trigger and fall to the ground blocking the bullet. A scream pierces the night as the boys knock at the man. Everything whirlwinds around me now blood oozes from the wound and out of my mouth.

    I am at the hospital now and in 'stable' condition. The others are around me telling me how scared they were and that they will call my mom, Then they leave, "I am going to call my mom and tell her I am staying with you in the hospital." Joe says and walks out I sigh and fall asleep.
    When I wake up it is morning and I am told that I am very lucky and should be proud on my action. I saved my friend's life. I smile and go back to sleep, Joe never let go of my hand