Chapter 1

My eyes flutter open slowly as I start to come around. Moving my sight around I begin to see and hear things that make my head throb; Flashing lights, blaring sirens, crushed metal, and frantic talking.

What happened, I think to myself, who did all of this?

I try to sit upright to get a better understanding but find my legs and torso won't move on command. Seeing the blood stains on my hands and clothing, I begin to feel queasy.

Why am I covered in blood? Who are all those people in uniforms? Where am I?

My queasiness soon makes me feel light headed so I decide to set my head back down on the cold, hard pavement. Just before my eyes flutter back to a close, my vision lands on a familiar figure; the man is running toward me with tears stream down his face.

Before I can do anything, I black out again.

oOo

I feel myself beginning to stir and re-enter consciousness. Slowing I try to open my eyes and understand for a second time what is happening. To my surprise, I am no longer lying under the street lamps on the road. Also to my surprise - and slight delight - I am out of my bloody clothing and my cuts have been cleaned up.

I open my eyes fully and slowly turn my head; I'm in a hospital. How did I end up here, I think to myself, why am I here?

Then I feel myself being pulled back into the darkness that I had just left, only it feels slightly different. Instead of being in an unconscious state like before, I am stuck in the dream that turned into a nightmare.

—

The clink of two wine glasses touching each other fills the air. I take a sip and smile at the handsome man in front of me. How can I be so lucky to have the man of my dreams?

Then I hear him speak, "I didn't really want to bring this up during our romantic dinner, especially since you said no work talk, but you need to know. I can't prolong this any further."

A dropping sensation fills my gut and my head begins to spin; I'm not sure if it's from the alcohol or if it's from my boyfriend's words. I nod my head once as if to tell him to go on, though not fully sure if I'm prepared to hear his words.

He begins again slowly, "Now Helen, you know I love you right? And that I'd do anything for you?"

I nod my head again, feeling a tear run down my face. He's going to break up with me, isn't he!

"The company is transferring me to another sector honey; they told me two days ago. My boss also told me that if I didn't agree, they would cut me from the company. Oh, please don't cry baby!"

I choke out my reply while wiping away my tears, "I'll move with you! The transfer doesn't mean we can't be together. We can make it work."

"Darling, the transfer is to Rome. I can't expect you to leave your home or your family behind. That wouldn't be fair."

I begin to feel myself getting angry inside. He always does this! He always picks work over me! In all of the five years we've been together, never once has he picked me.

"You know what," I begin with, while throwing my napkin on the table and standing up, "you always choose your job over me! Five years of a relationship and it's never been me over work! I always imagined us getting married and having a family, but all you see in the future is a new position at the company."

Walking out of the dining room, I down my wine glass, pick up my purse, and slip on my shoes and a coat. As I turn the doorknob, I feel Rob grab my other arm.

"Baby! Don't go like this! We can talk it out! And beside, you can't drive in this state; you've been drinking too much."

I spin around, nearly tipping over the edge of my heel, and stop right under his nose.

"Rob, don't touch me! You can't tell me what to do anymore! We are finished! Have a nice life working at your precious company!"

I pull myself from his grasp and walk out of his house, slamming the door behind me. Hurrying to the car, I find my keys and hop in the driver's seat. I turn the key in the ignition and put the car in reverse. Pressing my foot to the gas, my car comes to life and I peel out of the driveway. As soon as the car is in drive, I see Rob running down the driveway begging me to stay.

I flip him the finger and press my foot down hard. My wheels spin momentarily before carrying me forward to the end of the street. I blare the stereo, singing along to Better Than Revenge, which was coincidently the next song on the cd that I had been listening to on the way here. Peeling down the road without a care, I hear a truck horn that brings me back to reality. I suddenly realize I am faced with a red light, but my car is bolting toward it as if it were green. My reaction time being too slow, I look to my left at the bright white light. That's when I feel it; the impact.

—

I scream out in fear but then soon realize I am safe; well sort of safe. The darkened street and bright lights give way to the sight and smell of the hospital. I feel someone squeezing my hand trying to calm me down; it's Rob.

"Wh-what are y-you -" I start to stumble out before being cut of.

"Shhh, baby don't speak. The doctors said you should be resting. They let me in as long as I was quiet. I'm so sorry I sprung that on you! I should never have brought it up then."

I open my mouth to protest, knowing he would have told me sooner or later, but he cuts me off again.

"No, don't talk. You were right about me. I should appreciate you more than I do. Nothing is more important than you; not even my job. I called them you see, after you drove away, and I told them I quit. They can't rule my life forever."

"But honey you love that job -" I manage to get in before being cut off, something that is beginning to be somewhat of an annoyance.

"No darling, I love you. Remember how I planned this dinner a week ago, but tonight I said the company told me the news two days ago. When I planned the romantic dinner, I had other intentions in mind." Rob released his hand from mine and scrounged around in his coat pocket. When he came back to my side, holding my hand, I saw a tiny box.

"I know this isn't how most people want to remember these things but you need to know why I wanted the evening to be perfect. Helen Browning, we've spent a wonderful five years dating and getting to know each other. Both the good things and the flaws; the flaws being mine. Now that we've been able to make it through so much I've realized that I want your future to be mine too. So I ask you, will you marry me Helen?"

Rob opens the small box to reveal a sparkling, yet simple ring.

I smile and whisper out, "Yes."

The cold delicate silver slips onto my finger and I feel a fuzziness build up inside me. Maybe this fight was a good thing for our relationship; it's made us a lot stronger than before. Nothing can take me away from my beloved now; especially since he has no job to love more than me.

Suddenly Rob's smile vanishes from sight as he looks at the doorway. I follow his gaze and then feel my stomach drop; my eyes have landed on a police officer.