She was sitting on the bus the pain and hurt was literally suffocating her but her dark long red hair covered her face so one cold see or hear her gasping for air. Everyone on the bus hated her and the falling over dead would please them al. She could feel blackness overtaking her as she realized the bus had come to a sudden halt and she was flying over seats. No one seemed to notice as her head hit a window and she fell into a couple’s lap, her hair pushed back from her face, showing a somewhat blue face and trickling down her left ear. Everything went black.

****
They were listening to her iPod holding hands as the bus driver slammed on her breaks to keep from smashing into a car that had just cut them off on the freeway. She was just leaning up to kiss Seth, her boyfriend when someone landed in their lap, blue faced, and blood flowing down the left side of her head. It took her a minute to realize it was Hanna her ex-best friend. 

“Oh my god, what the hell is your problem?” She sneered at Hanna’s body.


“Krystal, she isn’t conscious.” Seth replied.

“Well finally she is dead; I knew she had it coming.” Krystal replied as Seth felt for a pulse on Hanna’s neck.

“She is alive! Now move Krystal, she isn’t breathing!” Seth yelled pushing her from the seat with one hand as he held Hanna with the other.

“Leave her; it is best for all of us!”

“No!” Seth shouted back shoving his girlfriend completely off the seat and prompting Hanna’s almost lifeless body on the seat as he stood; starting CPR.

By then everyone on the bus finally figured out what was going on and started freaking out while the bus driver called dispatch for an ambulance. Within seconds Seth had Hanna breathing but not conscious. He noticed Hanna was bleeding purfushiously and began searching for the perforation. It was a long jagged cut right above her temple. He had to stop the bleeding or she would surely bleed to death. Looking around he saw the first aid kit at the beginning of the bus but found it completely blocked by the horrified onlookers. Looking down he quickly took off his white dress shirt.

“I need a knife!” He shouted.

A student to his left pulled out his pocket knife and handed it to him. Nodding his thanks he took the knife and tore up his shirt and quickly applied pressure to her cut, just like he was shown at basic.

“Krystal get me the first aid kit and hurry!” Seth said turning to look at Krystal.

“Hell no you get it!” Krystal sneered.

“We don’t have time for this damnt get it or she will bleed to death!” He shouted at her getting really pisted.

“I’ll get it.” Some girl yelled from the front of the bus while Krystal stood right where she was. She got up and snatched the kit, turning around and climbing over people and pushing Krystal out of the way. “What’s wrong with her? Who is she?” She asked motioning to Hanna as she skillfully opened the kit and handed him gauze and a wrap.

“She is bleeding and her name is Hanna. She is my ex-girlfriend.” Seth replied taking the gauze and replacing his bloodied shirt with it. “Here hold this tightly. The more pressure you apply the faster it should clot and stop bleeding.” He said taking the girls hands and putting them on top of the gauze. He then took the wrap and tightly secured the gauze in place wrapping the ace bandage around her head. He then moved the girl’s now bloody hands and replaced them with his. Once he felt the bleeding finally ebb he moved his hands to Hanna’s shoulders and lightly shook her, careful to not move her head. “Hanna? Hanna? Sweetheart, please wake up! Please!” He said pleading softly into her right ear.

“I hear the ambulance and I wouldn’t shaker her. If she has a concussion you will make it worse. By the way I am Anya.” The girl said.

“Nice to meet you Anya. How do you subject I wake her then?” Seth replied a bit harshly. He didn’t like be told what he should or shouldn’t do. He knew what he was doing.

“Just talk to her coax her to open her mind. She is just shielding herself in her brain, pull her out.” Anya replied shoving Krystal completely out of the way and getting on the seat behind Hanna and Seth.

“Hanna, baby, don’t give up. Come one open those pretty blue eyes for me please.” Seth pleaded again into Hanna’s ear as he leaned over her.

****

Slowly her eyes began to flutter. She could hear her sweet lover’s voice, but that must mean she was dead. “Hanna, darling, please wake up. Please!” Came that same sweet pleading voice again. She would obey; she would do anything he asked. She opened her right eye then her left and blinked, is was all so fuzzy.

“Oh baby, thank god, can you understand me?” She could but when she opened her mouth nothing came out.

“What’s wrong with her?” That same lovely voice asked franticly.

“She hit her head. She will be fine.” Replied another voice, a female voice she knew but couldn’t place to a name or a face.

“Everyone evacuate the bus to the front please. Quickly, traffic has been blocked.” Came a harsh louder man’s voice somewhere to her left. She tried to get a feel of her surroundings by lifting her hand but found it connected to another hand.

“Sir you need to get off this bus to.” The man said and she felt the hand that was connected to hers start to pull away. Using the little bit of strength she had left she held on to it and felt it tense.

“No Jake, it’s okay. Let him stay. I fear it may be the only way we will keep Hanna.” The female voice replied again.

“Fine.” The man’s voice that belonged to someone named Jack growled back.

****

Seth tensed as his hand was squeezed because he wasn’t looking at his girlfriend and the look she had then at Hanna. However, as she squeezed harder he turned around just in time to see her try and pull herself up. “Hanna, no stay down and lay still.” He said pushing her back down, as Jake came back on the bus with a back board and laid it down in the aisle.

“Think you can help me lift her onto this?” Jake asked doubtfully.

Seth nodded as he moved and took hold of the back of Hanna’s head and neck. “I will take her head and the name is Seth.”

Jake nodded. “I know. On the count of three lets lift her up over the seats and then to the right and straight down.” He replied getting hold of Hanna’s legs. “One. Two. Three.” They lifted her up to the right and straight down. Once she was down on the board Jake strapped her in as Seth put on a neck brace.

“Do you have a gurney ready?” Seth asked as they lifted Hanna up.

“Yes. Sam is out there with it on the side. I will hand my end off as I jump down and then take your end.” Jake responded as they moved to the back of the bus. He handed his end off to Seth and jumped down took Seth’s and immediately put her on the gurney adding another strap as Seth jumped down from the bus.

The three of them pushed Hanna the fifteen feet to the ambulance and lifted her in. Once she was securely in the hull Seth and Anya jumping in as Jake and Sam shut the doors and ran to the driver and passenger door jumping in.

Seth could hear his phone going off but ignored it as he watched Hanna go in and out of consciousness.

“Heather start and IV and bring her back. She has to answer the question before we can take her in. Jake said as he shut his door and turned around in his seat.

“Wait! You said your name was Anya. Who the hell are you?” Seth asked standing up and taking a defensive posture in front of Hanna.

“Who I am is no concern to the boy who had done nothing but kill my sister slowly. Once again it is up to us to save her.” Heather replied getting the IV pack out, shoving Seth out of the way, and cleaning off Hanna’s right hand with a alcohol pad.

“You aren’t going to touch her until you tell me who the fuck you are!” Seth replied snatching Hanna’s hand out of hers.

“Look Seth, while you and everyone else turned on her we stepped in to protect her. Last night she said “La Rose” which to us means the end of life. It is a code, so I took the bus to watch her. It seems, however, we were almost too late. Now move or she may not live to see another hour if you don’t let me do my job!” Heather responded coming toe to toe with Seth and glaring at him.

“Look you two we have three minutes till contact. Hurry up!” Sam yelled from the front as they hit a bump that sent Seth flying back into his seat as Heather seemed unaffected and only closed the gap between her and Hanna and felt her hand for a good vein.

“What did you mean by sister? Hanna has no siblings.” Seth asked rubbing his arm that had slammed into the drawers to his left.

“I cannot tell you. Only Hanna can if she wishes it to be, and even if you were to know, if you told anyone like your girlfriend you both would be killed.” Heather replied sticking Hanna’s hand and starting the IV. She then pulled out a syringe from her coat pocket and put it directly into the IV.

“Minute to arrival!” Sam yelled.

“What the hell is that?” Seth asked getting back up again.

“Something that will give us thirty seconds of communication with her.” Heather replied injecting the contents completely.

Hanna gasped as her eyes flew open. “Vivre ou mourir, ma soeur?” Heather asked holding Hanna’s arm tightly.

“Vivent toujours.” Hanna responded slowly before she lost consciousness again.

“Well?” Sam snapped.

“Go, and with gods speed frère.” Heather responded as the ambulance took off at full speed.

“What did you ask her? What did she say?” Seth asked as she pulled himself up and holding on to a strap to lean over and touch his ex-girlfriend’s cheek.

“I asked if she wanted medical treatment and she said yes. She is obviously hanging on to something; let’s just hope it’s not you.”

“Why? She is the one that broke up with me. I still love her. I went out with her ex-best friend because that was the only way she would be around me.”

“Then you know nothing. I think you had better read this.” Heather responded harshly chucking a small diary at Seth as the ambulance came to a halt in front of the Emergency Room. You can’t go in the back with us. Wait in the waiting room. I will come and get you when she is awake.” Heather said continued unlocking the gurney as the backdoors opened up and Jake pulled the gurney down. Sam helped Heather down and stood there as Seth jumped down and headed toward the waiting room with the diary in hand.

Then they pushed Hanna into the ER and into the waiting hand of doctors and nurses. “Possible concussion, gash above the left temple, unconscious at the screen, flew into a window and fell onto the seat when the bus driver slammed on the breaks. CPR performed b an onlooker, stable, and IV is in. That’s all.” Jake stated to the doctor and the three of them left the room.

“Jake and I will go back and tell the others, this is our chance, Sam stay here, she has no family so you are her legal guardian and the boy out there is her brother. Change of clothes is waiting for you on the second floor. You will receive a call in one minute and thirty seconds.” Heather said looking at Sam.

“Yes ma’am.” Seth said kissing Heather on the cheek before disappearing.

****

Seth took a seat in the waiting room and looked at the diary in his hands, the color was blood read with black itching in Latvian, “Mäsu Radniecïba”. He traced his fingers over the letters before opening to the first page that was marked with a red tab.

April 15

Dear Diary,
Today I did it, I broke up with the only guy I have ever loved. I couldn’t take the looks they were giving each other. It was breaking my heart to see it every day. I will miss being in his arms, always secure and promising. I can’t do anything but cry. They all think I am being silly, but I just can’t help it, I love him, and I have him up so he could be happy. I don’t know what to do. I wanna go out with the other sisters, but it won’t do no good. It’s only a temporary distraction. I could hook up with a random guy but I would just feel horrible after. Gah!! I don’t know what to do… Ah shit someone is knocking. I had better go. I will write later.
~Hanna

Seth sighed and sat back. How could she still love him after all he did to her? He was a monster and yet her feelings had never changed. He flipped to the second marked page.

November 19

Dear Diary,
Today it all went down. She attacked me and he didn’t do a damn thing. I couldn’t breathe, no one moved, no one cared, I was gasping for air. No one moved!! He didn’t love me that was clear. If he did he would have stopped it. God, I am nothing but a problem, entertainment to them. Finally someone noticed. They took us up to that office and put us in the same room. I didn’t know what was going to happen the new ass of an assistant principle was jerk and we all knew it. I knew deep down that I was going to be blamed. They tried to get us to talk and we did, but it was all fake and we knew it. Then they wanted to call our “parents” well I don’t exactly have parents but no one knows it. So I called Heather. She said she would be there within minutes with our lawyer. But her mom showed up first and I had to wait outside. By then I had my tears under control but as soon as I saw Heather it all came back, I was in hysterics. She pulled me aside and calmed me down and asked what I wanted to do. I didn’t know, I wanted to press charges, but I didn’t want to ruin her life. Michael came over and told me he suggested I press charges but I just didn’t have the heart. We got called into the asses office and he told them even though by law I can’t be held responsible I was part to blame. Then he asked if we wanted to press charges when though he didn’t think it was needed. They looked at me and I said no, so they agreed. Then we all went out with Krystal’s family where we all sat down and talked and once again I was told I was part to blame. Then Michael and Heather stressed that the only reason they didn’t press charges was because we used to be good friends and that she needed to get help. Well the meeting ended, I was forced to swear that I would never talk nor see Seth again, it broke my heart all over again. They said I was not to blame but that I had a decision to make. Continue being friends with the girl that had problems and it wouldn’t be the last time she attacked me, or forget about her. Well I am choosing to forget about her. But I can’t just pretend Seth doesn’t exist, I just can’t. Ah well I am being summoned so I’d better go. Until next time.
~Heather

Sam walked up as Seth closed the diary. “There is still one more marked if you can handle it. But you may only have a few more minutes. I am going to check in.” Sam said placing a bag at Seth’s feet. “There is a shirt in bag for you.” He said as he turned and walked away.

Seth opened the bag and pulled out a blue dress shirt and put it on, amazingly it fit. Shaking his head in disbelief he buttoned it up and opened the diary once more, to the last marked page.

February 15

Dear Diary,
It is just getting worse. She is making life unbearable; everyone at school thinks I am trying to take Seth from her. It’s ludicrous! Why would I take something just because she did it to me? No one cares to know what I have to say. If it wasn’t due for the fact that they said there is no better school in the city that will get me where I want to go they would pull me. But I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up. I feel like I am really suffocating. I keep trying to talk to Jessica, but she is never here when I come home. I don’t really think I will make the bus ride to school. I told Heather but she just blew me off and said Michael will be waiting for me downtown and that I am to take the city bus for the first time down to the courthouse. I don’t know, I just don’t think I will make it.
Last entry I think. ~Hanna

Seth finally closed the diary and handed it back to Sam as he came back, taking out his cell phone and ignoring the thirty some odd texts he had and looked at the time and date. IT was 10:30 a.m. February 16th. He just sat there stunned.

“Amazing isn’t it? Hanna is one of the brightest in our mists and yet a simple boy like you can really mess her up. It’s a wonder how you even got her to fall for you at all. I bet it truly puts in perspective what your girlfriend has done to her and if you wanna keep her I would respond to thirty five texts you have received and ignored. Oh and you are Hanna’s brother if anyone asks. I’ll have them call you back when she is awake and back from all the tests.” Sam said walking away leaving Seth to stare after him before going to all his text messages.

****

Hanna opened her eyes slowly blinking away the fuzziness. Everthing was so bright and someone was holding her hand. She tried to turn her head but found she couldn’t and moved her fingers instead. The person stirred and leaned forward. “Hanna?” It asked.

“Yes?” She croaked in response.

“OH thank god! Howe are you feeling?”

“I could be better if someone would take whatever is around my neck off.” She whispered back not being able to talk any louder.

“Once the results from the tests are back they will take the brace off, if they can. I need you to tell me what happened Hanna before I let your brother, Seth, come back here.” Sam said moving a lock of Hanna’s rich red hair back from her face.

“Same is that you?” Hanna asked finally recognizing the voice. Sam was her best friend and wa always there for her, always went to her competitions, and was there to hear her out and comfort her when she was down.

“Yes darling it is, but I need to know what happened, all we know is what we read.”

“You went through my stuff?!” Hanna gasped.

“Calm down, we got worried and I went though it no one else.” Sam replied softly getting up and pacing the small cubical area that was only closed off from the rest of the ER by a curtain.

Hanna sighed. “It was getting unbearable, nothing was working. I tried to get help but no one was there, you were out, and so was Jessica, and Heather seemed to blow it off.” She said softly, tears filling up her eyes.

“Wy are you crying sweetheart?” Sam asked softly walking over to her beside and wiping the tears away.

“I don’t know. I am sorry Sam. I never wanted you to have to leave you assignment for me. I know how important it was.” Hanna replied sniffling.

Sam smiled and shook his head. “Sweetheart I finished it last night and got back just in time to search your room and sent Heather to get on the bus, but it seems we were almost too late. If it wasn’t for Seth you’d be dead.”

“Yea-” She started to reply as three people walked in that she couldn’t see.

“Ah, Doctor Hickman, how is it looking?” Sam asked walking over and shaking the doctor’s hand.

“Well we can remove the neck brace, but I want to keep her overnight for observation.” He replied motioning for the two nurses to do their word before leaving.

Sam patted Hanna’s hand before following the doctor out.

****

Sam walked out into the waiting room and motioned for Seth to come. “Don’t mention the diary. It was to help you nothing else. I am sure they are going to dope her up for the pain seeing as she is staying overnight, I don’t know how much time you will get wither.” He stated as they entered into the back and into Hanna’s little cubical where she was hooked up to all kinds of machines. “I need to fill out paperwork.” Sam said turning back around and leaving once more.

“Hanna, are you okay?” Seth asked rushing to her bed side.

“Yea, so they said my brother saved me. What a great brother I have.” She said softly as she took his hand. “I had hoped it was you and that I was dead.”

“Yea I know.” He replied only catching himself as he said it

Hanna’s expression changed as she took in what he said. “How do you know?” She demanded angrily.

“Same and Heather told me.”

“What did they tell you exactly?” She demanded finding the will to sit up.

“They said you were upset about me and what was going on at school.” Seth replied hitting the button on the pad next to her and brought the bed up so she didn’t have to hold herself up.

Hanna sighed and leaned back. “They showed you my diary didn’t they.” She replied accusingly.

“Yes, but don’t get mad, they just wanted to show me what’s been going on and I am sorry, just don’t get upset with them, please.” Seth replied taking her hand again.

Hanna shook her head and sighed again, “So I guess you know everything and have a lot of questions, and the best way to answer them all is by showing you. By bringing you to my home.” She said smirking a bit.

“So I have to wait then?” Seth asked sadly.

“Yea. Can you be patient long enough? They can’t exactly keep me here very long, too many people would be asking too many question.”

“Do I really have a choice? I guess I will wait.” Seth replied letting go of Hanna’s hand and pulling out his phone.

It is over!! ~Krystal

Seth shook his head.

“What is it?” Hanna asked turning over to her side and wincing in pain as she lay back on her back again, her head was killing her.

“My ex honey, don’t worry about it.” Seth relied putting his phone back in his pocket taking her hand once more as he took the chair next to her bed. “Call the nurse. You shouldn’t be in pain.” He said in a worried tone.

Nodding Hanna called the nurse and she appeared seconds later and administered a pain killer.

****

A few hours must have passed when Hanna’s cubical was suddenly filled with activity when Seth was rudely awakened by Sam. “What’s going on?” He shouted as he jumped up and watched as Hanna’s bed was lowered, blankets thrown from her body, the last glimpse of her was them cutting the hospital gown as he and Sam were ushered out as paddles were rushed in.

“Seth Hanna stopped breathing.” That’s all Sam managed to say as Seth tried to rush back in and he was forced to concentrate on holding the surprisingly strong boy back. “Seth she will be fine!” He finally said as sounds floated thru the curtain. “Charging. Ready” And the sound of the pedals releasing the eclectic shock as her body rose and slammed back down on the bed and then silence as they all waited to see if her heart would start beating again. Seth paused too but then pushed even harder to get thru when no sound came.  It took Sam all he had to keep Seth from entering the room.

The paddles were used four times when Hanna’s heart finally starting beating again. She was covered with a heavy blanket when Seth was allowed to enter; an oxygen mask took up half of her unconscious face. He grabbed her cold hand and kissed it. “Please don’t give up honey, please” Seth begged as he took his seat again only to be interrupted by the doctor again.

“We are going to move her up to the ICU if you would like to come.” He said as he walked over an unlocked the breaks as three more people entered the cubical and wheeled her out. Seth stood there as his phone rang.

“¿Bueno? No voy a regresar a la casa hoy. Mí amiga esta en el hospital. Hanna. Voy a regresar manana. Bye.” As he hung up the phone Sam came in carrying an ID card in his left hand. 

“Here you are going to need this.” Sam said handing him the ID. 

Taking it Seth turned it over and his picture on a military ID, his last name changed. “Umm ok?”

“If you are asked for an ID you have one that will let you stay with Hanna. Don’t lose it we are going to need it back. I have to leave, but Hanna is on the 6th floor ICU room 21.”

Seth nodded and left the room and the ER following the hall to the elevators. Giving a stifling yawn he pressed the up button and waited. A minute later the elevator door opened and it emptied its riders as he walked in and pressed the 6th floor. A few seconds later Seth walked out and into the ICU hallway. Walking down the pristine white hall ways and into the ICU bay shivers were sent down Seth’s spine. He didn’t know what he would do if he lost Hanna again. Shaking his head he walked to the check in desk and handed the nurse his ID card. “I am Hanna’s brother and will be staying with her.” The nurse nodded and pointed to Hanna’s room behind him. He turned and walked in. 

Hanna was covered by two blankets; she had wires and tubes all around her, and still had the oxygen mask over her face. He walked to the recliner beside her and sat down taking in the sight of the girl he knew he still loved, but wasn’t quite sure if it meant anything now. The site of Hanna appalled him. How could he ever let things bet like this for her? The only reason he had gotten together with Krystal was just so he could be near her and at least see her every day. Now, he would be the reason and why if she died. Sighing he took a light blanked from the back of the seat and pulled the lever to the recliner that brought the foot rest up. Coving his bottom self with the blanket, and taking Hanna’s right hand in his he started to hum as he closed his eyes.

****

It was half past three in the afternoon when Hanna started to open her eyes. Seth was passed out next to her in a blue recliner and a woman in purple scrubs was leaning over her. Hanna opened her moth to say something but found her throat was raw and scratchy. Instead she tried to lift her right hand and found it immobilized by Seth’s hand. Shaking her head she moved her let had up as far as she had strength for, which wasn’t very far, just enough to get some of the purple fabric in-between her fingers and tugged on it. There woman looked down and gave her a huge warming smile. 

“She awakens.” Came a very soft and beautiful voice. “Let me get the doctor.” With that the now very strange woman seemed to sip out of her room as Seth began to stir and grip Hanna’s hand tighter. Hanna lightly squeezed Seth’s in return as she sat up and looked at her smiling. 

The nurse returned with the doctor. “Well good afternoon Ms. Hanna, and how might we be feeling?” The man asked walking to her bedside and looking at the machines that she was hooked up too.

Hanna was so parched she couldn’t reply and when the doctor finally turned to her, she let go of Seth’s hand and signed that she was fine but needed water.

Letting out a small chuckle the doctor turned to the nurse. “Get her a glass of water please.”

The nurse nodded and left the room as Seth’s phone went off.

As he picked up his phone ignoring the glare he got from the doctor he answered it. “Hola Carol. ¿Que quieres? Sí recogeme en quince minutes. A fuera del hospital. Te digo despues no mas ven y recogeme. Sí sí sí apurate.” HE said pausing between statements for an answer. He hung up as the nurse walked back in and handed Hanna her glass of water. 

Downing it in two gulps Hanna cleared her throat. “Much better. Have to go somewhere brother?” She asked in a hoarse voice.

“Yea, work is calling I have to go.” Seth said standing up and kissing his “sister” on the forehead. “I’ll be back in a few hours sis, don’t worry.”

“Be careful.” She replied as Hanna watched the love of her life leave not sure if he would really be back.

****

Seth walked up to the 2010 Black Charger with a carbon hood and blood red rims, but it wouldn’t be the car that would get a third glare, but the striking woman that was getting out of the driver’s seat and walking toward him. She had long light brown hair, hazel colored eyes, and very tall. She was wearing a while short skirt that showed her black thong, a pink laced tank top, and black 5-inch heels. “Hey Seth.”

“Keys?” Seth asked walking past her.

“In the ignition.” Carol responded irritated as she turned and got in the passenger seat.

Seth hopped in shutting his door and only waited for Carol to shut the door before shifting out of park and speeding down the road opposite way of his house.

“Seth slow down!” Carol yelled as she struggled to put her seat belt on.

“No!” He growled back getting on the interstate and punching the accelerator and shifting gears.

“What happened?” Carol asked as her seat belt finally clicked.

“She almost died twice yesterday and it’s my entire fault!” He replied switching lanes as traffic slowed down around him.

“Who Krystal? I told—”

“No Carol. Hanna. She tried to commit suicide or so I think. Shit I read her diary.” He growled at the windshield, his grip on the steering wheel tightening, to where his knuckles were completely white.

“Oh.Umm, wow. I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything Seth, even if it does I am pretty sure she loves you too much.” She replied placing a hand on his shoulder.

Seth turned and looked at his best friend. The sincerity in her face made him release the gas pedal and turn the car around and head toward the house.

****

Meanwhile, Hanna was sitting up in bed drinking a cup of apple juice with Sam’s help as they waited for the doctor’s to return with the discharge papers. She would be cared for at home by her own personal nurse 24/7.

“Are you sure you are going to be okay?” Sam asked rubbing her arm.

“Yes. It was a lapse of judgment. It won’t happen again. Why do I have to stay home for two weeks? I am perfectly fine.” Hanna whined. The more she drank the apple juice the more her voice went back to normal.

“Because those were the conditions of your release. James will see to it that you are back to normal before you are let out of the house.” Sam stated firmly.