Things changed very, very quickly after James' leg was amputated.

For one, he recovered abnormally fast. So fast, in fact, that they ended up sending him home after less than a week because he refused to stay in his hospital bed. So I brought him back to my apartment so that I could take care of him...which ended up being the hardest part. I had figured that since he had lost his leg, he would be meaner...angrier even. But it didn't happen like that at all.

The night that I brought him back to the apartment he asked me to sit next ot him on the bed. "Just for a minute." he said quietly. I sat down next to him and looked at him curiously. "I know that I've done some really awful things to you...some things that I would never have dreamt of doing five years ago. I also am very well aware that I can never make those times up to you, never take away those bruises or replace the tears and the blood that you've lost because of me." he whispered. I stared at him, blinking unfeelingly. He reached out and took my hand gently. "But if you'll let me, I want to try to make it better for the future." he said finally. I continued to stare blankly, before finally stuttering. "I...I really just don't know what to say..." I said. He raised his hand quickly and I cringed back before realizing that there was a spider about to lower itself onto my head. He sighed and crushed it in his hand, then wiped it on a shirt next to the bed. "You're so afraid of me..." he started, then quickly raised his hand again. I cringed again, immediately closing my eyes, bracing for a hit from him. He pulled his hand back and stared at me. "I'm sorry Sara...I'm so sorry...I love you so much..." he said. I looked at him then, realizing that even though he had done so much to hurt me, James was still the only one that had been there for me over the past three years. So I gave in. "Alright...let's try this over again." I conceded. James smiled. "You won't regret it." he said.

That was the beginning of what would turn out to be some of the best days of our friendship. That is, until I signed up for a mission that I just couldn't handle.

Up until this point, I haven't really explained in detail what happened that night. It was a terrible night...I had signed up for a S.M, or suicide mission. I knew that I was going to die...in fact, I was completely ready for it. I had explained the situation to Isaac, and of course, felt like a complete jerk for leaving him stranded...but I knew I had to do it.

When I finally got to Albany that night, I walked into my apartment and changed quickly. James had crutches and hobbled to the door, watching me silently. I finished getting dressed and then bent down to lace up my boots, aware of his eyes on my head. I got up and stared at him. "What?" I asked. He shook his head and shrugged. "Just wondering why you're doing this, I guess." he said. I looked down. "Because I don't have a whole lot to live for. My boyfriend doesn't really love me...my parents won't miss me. Besides...the world will be much better without me." I said plainly. I walked to the doorway and stood infront of him, patiently waiting for him to move. He shifted his weight and moved out of my way. "Good luck." He said. I sighed. "Luck has nothing to do with it."

I was so wrong. I didn't tell him that I was fully counting on luck to get me through. I didn't explain to him that I couldn't promise a safe return or even a return in less than five pieces. No, I had to put on a mask of bravery and walk out to the truck, shaking like a leaf. As I pulled up to the club where I was suppose to be, I prayed silently.

"God, if you're there...save me..."

God was there.

I got out of the truck and snuck around the back of the club, melting in with the blackness around the building. I glanced at the back door, than opened it quickly. About 45 men stared back at me. I sighed, then grabbed the guns out of my gun belt. "Here we go..." I thought to myself, then I started to shoot.

Turns out that 45 men are a pretty powerful force.

They were on me so quickly that I had barely gotten the first shot off. I started to fight with all of my will, forcing about ten off of me before the second wave hit. They were all over me, tearing at me, my clothes, my hair, almost devouring my skin in order to see more of it. I screamed and kicked at them harder, sent punches into their well muscled stomachs, knowing full well that I was not going to make it out. It's inevitable though, you see...I always have to be proved wrong. I glanced back to see the door suddenly fall off of it's hinges, framed only by the forms of Scott, Rusty and James. They just started to shoot, and the men dropped like flies. I got up and started to fight then, joined by the other three. James grabbed my arm and dragged me towards the door. "Let's go!" he yelled over the noise of gunshots and screams. Rusty picked me up from behind and looked over at James. "You go back and keep everyone in with Scott...I'll get her to the hospital!" he screamed. I felt a searing pain suddenly in my wrist and I looked down to find that a bullet had grazed it and taken off some of the skin. I started to black out then, haunted by the rings and shots that had begun and ended my night.

When I woke up, I was in a sterile, white recovery room. I blinked, only to see Scott, Rusty, and James standing over me. I cleared my throat. "I guess you won't have to call Isaac today." I said. James smiled and brushed my hair out of my face. "No...I don't think he would've enjoyed that call." he said softly. Rusty shook his head. "You could've ended up very dead back there." he said almost angrily. I looked over at him. "I know. That's what I was going for." I said. James put a finger to my lips to shush me. "No talking. The doctors have to graft your wrist back together and then you'll be all set." he said. I looked over at Scott. "Thank you." I said. He smiled down at me, which is a rare thing for Scott. "Anything to help out." he said quietly. Just then, Dr. McGram walked into the room. "Alright everyone out. I have to get this little lady grafted before the second shift comes in or else she's going to have to stay until tomorrow." he said matter-of-factly. James nodded at Rusty and Scott, who started to walk from the room. James leaned down and kissed my forehead. "I'll be waiting for you, Maytrix." he said. I smiled, then fell asleep under the McGram's drugged needle.

To be continued...