***CITY LIGHTS***

The constant blare of car horns filled my low glares of city lights made my eyes burn. The tall and gloomy skyscrapers hung over my head like a constant rain. I looked down and scanned over my no longer clean hands..they were stained..with blood. Those guys really should have listened to me when I said stay away. The pounding of my head grew stronger..and my breathing became slow..and heavy. I kept walking..stumbling on flat surfaces, and running into breeze. Suddenly a pulse of pain surged through my body.

"D-damn it..!"

I fell to my knees. My vision blurred and I could taste the salt on my dry cracked lips. All was slowly beginning to fade..and what I saw..was darkness.

'Donnie! Are you hurt?'

April knelt beside me..cradled me in her arms...she was warm and her arms brought me comfort. Took away some of the pain. I couldn't speak..couldn't answer her soft angelic voice. She held me tight..close enough where I could hear the beating of her powerful heart.

'Donnie..don't worry..I've got you..'

I looked up at her to see her beautiful blue eyes staring back at me. Her perfect white and friendly smile...I knew I was safe. Right here in her arms...

My neck curled back, and I let out a vigorous groan...

I opened my eyes slowly..looked around. The gravel beneath me was hard and cold. The moon stared back at me as I looked at it for some sign of reason. It all felt so real..but her touch was no longer there. I had blacked out..and she was my rescue. I knew what came next..I had to get up. I pushed myself up carefully. My arms shook and buckled under the pressure. The pain was un bearing..but I had to move. Sitting up, I felt light headed and dizzy. The world was spinning around me..blurry images filled my eyes..and everything felt..hollow.

"April.." I whispered to myself...

I had to get to her. Standing up I rocked like a boat in a stormy sea. The pain of my head felt like a pound of rocks sitting on my shoulders. One step at a time..I moved inch by inch. Keeping my breathing slow and constant. Trying to stay awake...stay alive..

As I moved closer..her sent grew stronger...I could smell her softness. I could hear the beating of her heart. It's what kept me going..

Inch by inch..I got closer. Holding on to walls of brick and stone, falling onto grass or solid concrete, and running into dumpsters and strangers. Finally when I could move, breathe, or hold my eyes open no longer.., I collapsed..on her balcony. This time..only this time..was the comfort real.

"Donnie!"

She knelt down beside me and pulled me into her lap. Her warm arms cradled me..and her presence gave me that sign of reason. She is the reason I'm here..why I exist.

"A-april.." I coughed..

"...I-I only feel safe..when I'm with..y-you...please..don't let go..."

Her eyes grew big..and her mouth formed a small smile. Pulling me closer I herd the sound of her heart..the sound of her breathing. She stroked my head and let out a small breath that surfaced my cheek.

"I'm not going anywhere.." She said softly..

At last I felt at home..felt as if I belonged. I had found my reason.

As I closed my eyes softly..I felt her lips softly touch mine...all my pain slowly melted away..and I could hear my heart beat..

**end**