Walking hand in hand down the stairs to the subway laughter filled the young couple. Just looking at them anyone could tell just how much in love they were. Soft whispers and knowing smiles played on their faces as they deposited the tokens and passed through to wait for the train to come.

He was tall 6'2" lean, with dark shoulder length hair , blue eyes, and a 5 o'clock shadow on his handsome face. She was much shorter at 5'4" with her long thick red hair that reached to the middle of her back, and bright green eyes, fair complexion, and well toned dancer’s body.

His head turned when the young man spoke to him. She couldn't hear what was being said. He pushed her behind him, his voice was anxious his hands up. Another young man grabbed her, red hair flying as she was thrown to the ground a foot at her neck. The first young man dressed in an oversize hooded sweatshirt and baggie jeans grabbed him, yelling at him. His hands in the air offering anything the young man wanted. It was then the assailant pulled out a gun and pressed it to his chest.

"Please I'll give you what ever you want."

His words echoed in her head as the gun shot rang out. Everything turned into slow motion. She tried to stand pushing the foot off her neck knocking him off balance and to the ground. She was up and moving to him. His head turned to look at her. Pain filled her as she fell reaching out for him.

"No, No, No!" She screamed out.

Something struck her hard in the back of the knee. The pain was excruciating as she drug herself to him. Her only thought was to get to him. The other young men were kicking him in the side and yelling at him as blood poured from his chest.

She heard shouting and the three took off. When she looked up, people were moving slowly towards them. Shocked expressions on several faces, a mother with her young son, his face hidden against her stomach. She quickly ushered him away from the scene.

She looked back to him tears filling her eyes,
"Ren! Ren! N o, Ren, Oh God no.." Her arms draped over his chest as his life giving blood drained from his body. Her red hair now covered him as she touched his face. His eyes were open but not seeing. Looking into the crowd she begged,

"Help.. Us... please..!!"

She turned to look at him her hand pressing down on the wound trying to keep the blood from leaving his body.

"Ren don't leave me, doooon't leave me."

Several police officers and paramedics arrived on the scene. They immediately surrounded the area and the officers started working the crowd for statements. One officer reached down and touched her shoulder gently.

"Miss, Miss"

Looking up at him her watery green eyes pleaded to him for help.

"Miss, you need to let the Paramedics do their job. Please let go of him."

She focused on the officer and for the first time noticed all the police and paramedics surrounding them. The Paramedics reached down to help her. It was then that she passed out.
The room was dark and her mouth was very dry. "Ren," her voice horse, a cool hand touched her arm.

"Water" she muttered as a straw was brought to her lips and she sipped. "Ren?" Again the cool hand touched her arm.

"No I'm not Ren, I'm Sandy." Jade opened her eyes and tried to focus, the room came slowly into view. It wasn't familiar and when she tried to move pain shot through her leg. It was then the memories flood back.

Her voice was panicked. "Where am I? Where is Ren?"

"Calm down Jade, you are in the hospital the doctor will be in to talk to you in a few minutes." She brushed her cool hand on her forehead.

The door opened and the doctor walked in along with two men, one in a suit and one in uniform.

"Jade, I'm Dr. Sanders how are you feeling?" The older man peered down at her. Her eyes flickered between the doctor and the officers.

"Ren? Where is Ren, I want to see him." She was very anxious despite the medication.

"Jade, I'm sorry but Ren didn't make it."

The nurse took Jades hand and held it, as the doctor spoke Jade moaned softly "no, no, no" over and over large warm tears streamed down her face.

"Jade", Dr Sanders continued, "these detectives would like to talk to you if you are up to it."

She looked over at the two solemn faces and nodded her head. She was numb nothing seemed real and she prayed she would soon wake up. The two men approached her bed. “I’m Detective Wilson and this Officer Johnson, we would like to ask you a few questions.” She looked between the two men and answered the questions the best she could. She had no clue why they were attacked none of it made any sense to her. The Detective thanked her for her time and expressed his condolences to her. Sandy was there checking her IV and blood pressure.

“Jade is there anyone we can contact? Your identification only listed Ren.” Her head sunk into the pillow and again the tears fell. She was looking at Sandy but not really seeing her.

“You can call Patrice she lives next door to me.” Her voice soft and filled with sadness. Sandy gave her pen and paper and Jade quickly wrote down the number handing the items back to her, she turned her head to look out the window. Words could not describe the despair she was feeling. She closed her eyes and let sleep take her only then could she find some peace.

Patrice Simon was a tall ultra thin raven haired girl with enough energy to light up an entire block. She and Jade had become instant friends the moment they met. She rushed to the hospital the minute she got the call, and sat at Jades side until she woke the next morning. Jade had stirred several times during the night but never woke and Patrice was right there incase she did, she had finally fallen asleep when she heard soft voice, “Patrice?” Her head shot up and she was on her feet taking Jades hand.

“Patrice, Ren is dead.” The emotion her voice shook Patrice and she fought hard to hold back the tears.

“I know, I’m here and will help you get through this.” Jade squeezed her hand and looked into her eyes. “They won’t let me see him.” Patrice swallowed hard. “Hon, I don’t know how to tell you, but, his parents came and made arrangements to take him home.” Jade’s eyes widened, “You mean back to Colorado?” She couldn’t believe it. “Yeah, the doctors said you would here for a week maybe longer depending on how your physical therapy goes, and well….they wanted the funeral done right away. I am sooo sorry Jade.” She leaned down and gave her a hug. Jade wrapped her arms around Patrice and cried.

It had been two weeks and the doctors finally agreed it was time she went home. Of course she would have to go to physical therapy four times a week for three months and then she would be reevaluated but she didn’t care she wanted out.

She dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed when Patrice and Gab walked in.

“Hey sunshine ready to blow this pop stand?” Gab said as he leaned and kissed her on the cheek.

“Yeah, get me out of here. I want a big juicy burger.” She had her crutches in hand and was standing looking at the two. “My stuff is in the bag on the chair, let’s go.” With a crutch under each arm she headed out the door leaving Patrice and Gab to catch up. She needed to get out of the hospital and back to her apartment. She had this feeling Ren was waiting for her there. The elevator doors opened just as Patrice and Gab arrived.

“Ok so it’s all arranged you will stay with Gab and me. We have your room all ready for you.” The smile on Patrice’s face fade the moment Jade spoke. “No, I’m going home, Ren and I have a lot to do.” Gab and Patrice exchanged looks, “Jade…” Patrice’s voce was soft, “Ren’s not there you know that. We decided,” she pointed between herself and Jade, “that it was best you stay with us.” Jade just looked straight a head. “I know, we will see.” Her voice was monotone.