Evan was a young man with a bright future. He got straight A's, was involved in many extra-curricular activities, and was always a nice person. His whole future seemed planned out. He was with the girl of his dreams, the one that he loved, Francine. Everything was going his way.

Evan graduated with honors and married Francine that very night. The two seemed like the perfect couple. They were friends with everyone. Evan became a fireman. He always had a drive to save lives. Francine was a successful fashion consultant. They were happier than they had ever imagined. The key was their love, undying and unconditional.

The siren began to go off during lunch. Evan and the rest of the station got themselves together and headed for the fire. Upon arrival, the entire apartment building was lit up. They sent Evan and some others in first. They went through floor after floor containing fires when they could. It seemed that all that could be done, had been. Evan's team was on its way back down when Evan heard something. Crying.

He rushed to the room he heard the crying from. The room was a blaze. Evan could see a little girl huddled against a wall, surrounded by flames. Without a second thought, he leapt through the fire and grabbed the girl. He was going back through when he heard a creaking. Evan looked up as a portion of the ceiling began coming down. He tossed the girl away as he was covered in the flaming ceiling.

The phone rang. Francine picked up the receiver. She dropped the receiver and ran for the door. Speeding through the traffic, she made her way to the hospital. Holding back tears, hoping, praying, that he was fine. She arrived at the hospital and went to the room he was being held.

Evan's eyes were open but there was only darkness. It was difficult to breathe. He could not feel his legs. Evan began to get nervous. He could hear someone enter the room and a gasp. After a pause there was a voice. It was Francine. He knew now that everything would be fine. Her love would help him overcome anything to come.

Evan now, while sitting in his wheel chair, reflected upon that moment. How foolish he had been. Not long after he was released, he was let go from his job. He would be no good crippled forever. Not much longer after that, Francine left him. She couldn't stand being with a monster. Now, neither could he.

Evan raised the barrel of his shotgun and put it in his mouth. There is no unconditional love. All things have certain stipulations surrounding them. He realized that now, though all too late. A quick pull of the trigger, crack of the gun, and he had ended what Francine's "love" had started.