The pain swirled around her in the darkness. Silently she prayed she would sink back into the sweet comfort of black unconsciousness. Annie could hear voices around her but couldn’t name them. Light burned through her eyelids and the muffled voices throbbed in her head, echoing into every dark corner. Her throat felt hot and dry and her tongue seemed to take up all the space in her mouth while oozing the bitter taste of blood and days old saliva.
A steady beep kept time somewhere behind her head. Slowly, it started to make sense. She pried her eyes open braving the searing brightness. The pain instantly swept through her and she sank back into the swirling blackness.

“It’s a good thing you found her when you did, James. Do you have any idea who would want to hurt her?” Dr. Dratton asked, the strain of the day showing in his aging face.

James solemnly shook his head as he wrung his worn Budweiser cap in his hands, still tattooed with Annie’s blood.
“You guys did a hell of a job getting her here. You must have been going pretty fast. Doesn’t matter though, being in your care and all.” Dr. Dratton let out a heavy sigh and continued talking, despite James’ obvious lack of any real response. “Most of the lacerations are on her scalp and the one across her cheek should fade with time. Her leg will heal nicely. It was a clean break and the surgeons did a hell of a job patching her up. I don’t know who did this to that poor girl, but whoever it was sure was an angry son of a bitch.”

A heavy and comforting hand found it’s place on James’s shoulder. With a squeeze, Dr. Dratton made his way back to the ER where there were more patients to see.

James couldn’t bring himself to move. He just sat, glued to the small chair in the hallway outside Annie’s room. Every last bit of strength he thought he had was spent getting Annie to the hospital, alive. He knew he cared for her as a partner, but seeing her like that broke something inside him and made him ache in his chest. He hadn’t felt that way since his brother died. James shuddered and pushed the memories back into their cages and locked them away. If he started thinking about Brett now he would certainly start crying, something he had managed to avoid for the last two and a half years.

“That stupid pis’ a shit, she’s been as’in for it for years. I figured I’d jus’ give dat bitch what she’s askin’ for.” The Jack Daniels on Trent’s tongue was evident in his words. The bartender at Jake’s had heard it time and time again. He knew Annie and liked her. In fact, he had often told her if she needed the extra cash, she could work a weekend shift or two for him. It was the same old story Trent had been telling for years. How he had “told her twice” and that she liked it. In all honesty, Ben would have loved to taken Trent out back and taught him what it was like to fight with someone his own damned size. He never did though. Times were tough and he needed this job. Despite his track record, Trent was in rare form tonight even for him. He was having himself a good old time and the wad of cash in his pocket made sure he kept having a good time. Ben never believed that Trent would really hurt Annie. Sure he shoved her now and then and got real nasty when she wouldn’t move fast enough for him, but he just figured it was all a show for the fellow patrons. Tonight was different though. Trent’s knuckles were raw and several of them continued to ooze as he knocked them against the bar, numb to the pain from the booze. Ben couldn’t help but say a prayer that it was a door and not Annie that was on the receiving end of those fists. With a shrug Ben decided it was none of his business if he didn’t see it himself. As if to punctuate his thoughts, Trent ordered another round. Nothing like getting shit-faced at four o’clock in the afternoon, he thought as he filled Trent’s glass to the brim.

James sighed as he lay staring at the dark ceiling. Nothing bothered him more than when waking before the alarm clock. Resigning to being awake early, he flipped the covers back and padded his down the short hall to the bathroom. Sliding into the shower, James tried to wash the usual feeling of dread out of his pores. He wasn’t due back at the station for at least two more hours. With a heavy sigh, James turned off the water and made his way to the sink. Wiping away the steam, he stared at the empty eyes that he saw before him. When did he get so, tired? Usually his green eyes sparked with mischief and passion for his job. James shook his head and finished getting ready. He might as well get to the station and try to lay down again and if he was lucky, catch a few more hours of sleep.

As the station came into sight, he could feel the pull of his bunk in the heaviness of his eyelids. He turned the corner and there sat Annie’s truck. Remembering his partner for the shift, he suddenly didn’t feel so sluggish and tired. Assuming she would be around back for her morning run, he started a plan for surprising her with breakfast.
James knew Annie had been having a rough go at the last couple of months, but just couldn’t put his finger on why. They had always been cordial and maybe even flirted a little but the relationship always maintained professional, sometimes almost even to the point of being stiff. It was a game for him, to see how often he could get her to laugh. Nothing beat the look of Annie laughing, especially if you got her going enough to the point that she would gasp and hold her sides while tears streamed down her face. That was utopia and James knew he had won when her face contorted with laughter and went three shades of red.
His good mood started permeating into the air. He had been keeping his eye on the corner of the building, expecting Annie to be rounding the at full speed, her head bobbing to the music from her ipod. Thrilled with himself that he had eluded her so far, James turned to sneak into the building and noticed a shoe sticking around the corner. So it seems he was the only one playing tricks this morning. And then it moved or at least he thought it moved. Maybe he was going crazy and seeing things, but he was sure he just saw that shoe move. Cautiously, he approached the corner, waiting for someone to jump out at him, making him the butt of their joke.

It was like someone sucker punched him in the gut. There was Annie laying in a pool of blood, her face swollen and bruised, her leg laying at an angle that made the back of his throat hurt. His eyes blurred with fear and anger. Suddenly he realized he was yelling. When did he become unglued in an emergency? James dropped his gear and pulled his cell out of his pocket.

“Annie, open your eyes! Come on sweetheart, open your eyes for me.”

His heartbeat thudded in his ears. Gently he roller her and put his ear above her mangled and bruised face trying to hear or feel something besides the banging of his pulse in his head.

“911 what is your emergency?”
“This is James Hatchet with MedStar Rescue. Someone has attacked one of our EMTs. She looks pretty bad and she isn’t responding. She is breathing, but it is pretty shallow. I’m going to need you to set off our tones and get PD out here as soon as you can. Better yet, have them meet us at Methodist.”
“Will do James. Let us know if you need anything else.”

Annie layed across the seat of her truck allowing her bare feet to lay outside the driver's window in the cool breeze. The sun was slowly sinking into the horizon casting ominous shadows across her dash. The feeling of hope and content seemed to be fading along with the day's sun. The night was what she feared the most. It was then that the shadows teased her imagination and the memories tried to choke her out in desperation. Slowly, she was realizing she was alone.

Determined to chase away her demons, Annie's mind drifted back to her childhood. It wasn't perfect, and she didn't recall much. Her mother died before she could form memories of her and was left to the care of her father. Raising a girl was something he was never prepared to do alone. Chores were assigned and completed without a peep, dinners consisted mostly of grilled cheese and cereal but there was always love and plenty of it. Annie knew her father loved her more than life, even if he rarely said it. She smiled at the happy memories she could recall and slowly drifted to sleep.

The cramp in her side woke her. It was still dark out but the smell of the dew that had settled into the blades of grass signaled the approach of dawn. Letting out a groan, Annie stretched and massaged her ribs. "Damn seatbelt" she cursed. Blinking the sleep away, she scooted over the driver's side and took a look at her surroundings. It was an odd place to sleep but it was hers and it was quiet. She knew she would have to leave soon before the post master arrived to unlock the mailbox in front. She only had a couple hours before her shift started anyway. The engine came to life and she slowly drove out of her hiding place behind the post office.

She pulled into the station and her heart sank into her chest while the vomit rose to the back of her throat. There he was in his car sitting in the parking lot, patiently waiting for her. Little beads of sweat formed across her forehead and her body went numb. She couldn't think, she couldn't move. Thankfully she had enough strength to coast into a spot just outside the door. Her instincts started to kick in as she rolled up her windows and locker her doors.

She stepped out of her truck trying to ignore the sick feeling that was knotting her stomach. Annie strode across the lot with her head high, she refused to let him get to her. This was her new start and she was not going back; she just couldn't. She could hear footsteps behind her. Was he really this brave to confront her in front of a manned station? Her heart was pounding hard in her chest and she could see her pulse as the blood raced behind her eyes. Fear and sweat dripped down her spine. Just a few steps and she would be safe inside the station...

Suddenly the world went black.

Annie carefully counted out the bills that once lived under the carpet. $573 dollars and her truck was all she had to her name now. With a shift looming the next day, she set about her tasks. First, she carefully tucked her new-found freedom fund into her pocket and made her way to the door. Without a second look, she locked the door and shut it with vigor. There was no going back now.

Annie headed down the back staircase and knocked on the door of the manager's apartment. As she waiting, she tried to breathe through her mouth to avoid the stench that would surely assault her senses once the door opened.

After a series of clicks, slides and clanks, the door opened to reveal her manager. When Red stood straight, he took up the better part of the doorway with his over six foot frame. The sad part was, Red hadn't stood up straight in over 10 years. The cloud of smoke that followed Red spilled into the hallway, racing to stain the walls and ceiling an even more disgusting shade of brown.

"What do you want now, Annie?"

"I wanted to know how much we owe in rent to pay off the rest of the month."

"Why? Whereya goin' off to? I don't 'spose they finally hauled his sorry ass off to jail did they?"

"Apparently, he has already left and has taken everything with him."

"I told you that son of a bitch was gonna screw you! I 'spose its better that than finding he beat your ass to death up there. Tell you what, you pay to replace that broken mirror and we'll call it even."

Annie stood in shock. Surely Trent didn't pay off the rest of the month, if anything they owed for at least three!

"Well don't just stand there girl! Give an old man a hug and get the hell out of here. I don't want to see you around these parts again, unless it is to bring me some of your famous cookies. Got that?"

It took everything Annie had not to cry. She vowed to pay back every penny, even if it killed her. Annie hugged the saint disguised as an old decrepit man and practically ran out of the building, presumably, for the last time.





Annie inspected herself in the fitting room mirror. Surely there was a pair of jeans that would fit her. One would assume that with the stress Annie was under and all the running she did would leave her figure trim and toned. In fact, it did just the opposite. Sure she had a slight waist, but there was the issue of the small breasts and lumpy sides she had to contend with. She was quite a beautiful woman just she didn't see it. The scars Trent left on her mind were far more lethal to her self esteem than the scars that marked her skin. Slowly she turned her arm over to inspect the remnants of the scabs that were still evident on her elbow. She chuckled to herself as she replayed that night in her head.

She had made green beans with dinner instead of peas; he had specifically requested peas except they were out and she didn't have enough change in her truck to buy some. Trent had come home drunk as usual and had gotten physical with her. She was doing well deflecting his punches until she had tripped over her own feet and fell back into the wall mirror. Fortunately for her, Trent never was one for blood and immediately passed out cold. He always was such a wuss.

She shook the memory out of her head and resigned to getting a pair of jeans that were a little too snug in the waist. Intending to up her mileage, she figured in another week she would be able to button them without sucking in her stomach. Next she pulled a new tank top over her frame. She blushed at the thought of being in public in such a revealing shirt. Determined for change, she resolved to buying it, even if it was just because she could.

After a few hours of shopping, she had narrowed down her purchases and made her way to the front of the store. She cringed when the total flashed on the register before her. $300 dollars and she still had to replace the full length mirror. With great reluctance, she handed over the cash and walked her purchases to the truck. "At least I have a full tank of gas", Annie mused.

Next was the hardware store. Because it was such a small town with little stock, she had to order the mirror to replace the one her elbow broke. She handed over the cash for the mirror, assuming she may not have it when it finally came in.

Annie's last stop was the bank. It was high time she had her own checking account. Trent had always insisted on using his, presumably so Annie wouldn't have any access to the money. She carefully chose her new bank, the one that always had lights on and had an ATM. At least then she would save some money when taking out her own money. It wasn't as if she had a ton of choice with only two banks in town, but it was either that, or drive to Camelot which was a 20 minute trip one way.

Satisfied with herself and the progress she was making with her newfound freedom she headed to the Moonbeam for some dinner.

By the time Annie had finished her paperwork and showered, the fog had lifted and the sun was burning down on her little corner of the world. The day had turned out to be filled with the kind of heat that made you sweat just looking outside. Her dark hair was still wet from her quick shower so it helped keep her cool as she climbed inside her sweltering, beat up truck. Everyone teased Annie about the color of that truck, a cross between pond scum and sea foam, but it didn't matter because it was her truck; paid for with her own sweat and tears.

She turned left out of the driveway and started the short drive through town to her tiny apartment. Often she would fantasize about living in the city where you could feel the pulse of the life around you as walked down the crowded sidewalks. No matter how much she fantasized about it, she knew this little town was where her heart would always be. Her mouth watered as she drove past The Moonbeam, the smell of pancakes and bacon riding the hot breeze coming through her open windows. It was pointless to turn on the air conditioner for such a short drive and even if she did, it didn't work very well anyway.

She pulled her truck into her spot in front of the old brick building she called home, heaved a heavy sigh and stepped into the sunshine. It was a shame such a beautiful day would be ruined. Annie sighed again and made her way to the front door of the building. Up the stairs and to the left was where you could find her door. She was always careful when she walked into the building. She didn't know her neighbors well, but she was well aware of the tempers and anger her thin walls barely held back.

Annie was well aware of the anger that would surely soon fill her own apartment. Her boyfriend wasn't keen on her being late. Slowly, she opened the door, bracing herself for the tirade that was sure to come.

She looked around the apartment and all she saw was a pile of her clothes surrounded by the stains her hand me down furniture once hid. Without warning, Annie vomited onto the floor.

Confused and scared, Annie wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry, so she just sat and let her body shake from the laughter and sobs colliding in her throat. When she all but laughed herself out, she stood and silently walked to the kitchen. Thankfully he had left a bucket and one lone dirty rag. She dutifully started cleaning up herbreakfast and shuffled over to fold the pile of clothes. She picked up a shirt and gasped in horror. It was slashed at least three times, rendering it completely and utterly unwearable. Frantically, she pawed through the pile, praying she was not right. Everything was ruined, even down to the last pair of underwear. Annie buried her face in the last of her worldly possessions and cried bitter tears of anger and resentment. All she had was quite literally, the clothing on her back.

She shot to her feet as if someone had kicked her square in the ass. She ran down the hall and grabbed at the edge of the carpet like a rabid animal. Under her breath she prayed. She prayed harder than she had ever prayed before; and then she saw it. There sat a tattered and worn brown envelope just as she had left it. She clutched it to her chest until her knuckles blanched and sobbed. She slowly rocked herself back and forth amongst the dust bunnies and spiders. The little flicker of hope that was always there grew a little brighter and a hint of a smile crossed her lips.

The rhythm of her Nikes slapping the pavement countered the pace of her breathing. While it didn't quite match completely, it was comforting for the mistmatched tempos mimicked her mood. There had been a lot going on in Annie's life; everything except the one thing she wanted. Slowly she pushed all the thoughts out of her mind and focused on the beat pulsating in her ears and the burn in her calves. She was one mile in with two still waiting to be traveled; a daunting task when ten laps around the station make one mile.

It was a cool morning, unusual for this time of year. There was a fog that had settled into the valley, pressing her into the pavement and making her eyelids heavy. Her bunk was warm and strangely comfortable this morning, a stark contrast to the norm which made it more difficult to lace up her shoes. Today there was more than the fog weighing her down. There was the mountain of paperwork to finish and the training to organize, not to mention the face-off that was looming at home.

Annie's thoughts hopped around for a bit and finally settled in to the lyrics. Her lips moved ever so slightly as she sang along in her head. She settled into the rhythm of the run as she made her way around the corner.

"Ooof!"

The sound escaped her lungs along with the last of her breath as she ran full force into James.

"What the hell, James!?" She spat as she rolled on to her back in the cool grass. She wasn't sure what she was so angry about, the interruption or that it happened to be James.

"I'm sorry, I thought you would be done by now."

James instinctively stared at the ground. He never could make eye contact with Annie and she never could figure out why.

Annie slowly got to her feet, checked her watch and cursed when she realized she was late. Now there really would be hell to pay.

"It's alright James. I didn't mean to swear at you. I guess I was really into my run today." She emphasized her words with a stretch as she peeled herself off the dewy grass.

"Forget about it. I should have been watching where I was going."

There was an awkward silence as the two stood there, both frantically trying to think of something to say.

"Well, I'd better get showered. I have a never-ending pile of forms calling my name and I have to get home before..."

Annie stopped herself before she over-shared and silently chastized herself for it.

"Before what?" James was curious now.

"Uh, before, my, uh, appointment." It was getting easier to lie on the spot and it scared her.

She bid James a good day and trotted inside to hit the shower. She would need the moment alone to plan out her excuse. After all, she was starting to run out.