You knew very well that being involved with a criminal was dangerous. You learned that the hard way when you went on vacation with AJ and almost got murdered there.

Since then, you were afraid of everything. Almost everything. But you worried every time AJ went somewhere to commit another robbery and didn't come back for weeks. AJ did everything he could to make you feel safe, sometimes even arranging for Lilly, the wife of Jesse, AJ's friend, to spend the night with you at your apartment so you wouldn't be alone.

That accident shook you up terribly, but so did AJ. He hadn't forgiven himself for not protecting you back then.

AJ left again because he had another job. Another bank robbery.

As always, Lilly stayed with you so you wouldn't be alone.

You were sleeping together in your and AJ's bedroom when your phone rang. You woke up immediately, just like Lilly, and reached for your phone. When you saw John (AJ's friend) calling, you knew something was wrong. He never called.

"Yes, John?" You said sleepily. Lilly moves closer to you to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"AJ's in the hospital." When John's lips uttered those words, you froze. The world stopped for a moment, the phone fell out of your hand... or maybe not? You only saw Lilly take your phone, end the call with John and immediately stand up to start getting dressed.

You stood up and grabbed your clothes but your legs were guiding you on their own. You didn't know what was happening, everything suddenly became overwhelming.

"Hey, I'll go myself. I'll sort this out." Lilly says grabbing your arms.

"No, I want to too. I have to see him." You say but Lilly knows she can't stop you, so she quickly grabs her car keys and you leave the apartment.

The drive to the hospital was quick. Maybe because adrenaline started pumping through your veins and you couldn't concentrate?

When Lilly parked in front of the hospital, you immediately got out of the car and ran to the hospital. As you entered the hallway, you saw John. There was no one here except you, John, and Lilly.

"Where's AJ?" You ask. John looks at Lilly as if he blamed her for bringing you here.

"He's in the operating room. He got hit right in the... stomach. And in the thigh." John replies in a calm voice. "Be calm. Everything is under control."

Everything is under control? Really? Something inside you snapped, making you start shouting at him and blaming him for everything, and then you got dizzy, and John and Lilly helped you sit in a chair.

After AJ's surgery, you sat by his bedside for two whole days. You cried and slept, waking up and so on and so forth.

You felt a brush against your cheek, so you opened your eyes to see an awake AJ. You jump out of your chair. He looked so... bad.

AJ smiles despite the pain. "I'm sorry, honey." He says quietly and you grab his hand. You couldn't hold back the tears. "Don't cry, I'm alive."