Disclaimer: I don't own a damn thing. Well, my cd collection is pretty bitchin', but other than that… The characters and ideas herein presented belong to others. I'm just borrowing.

Author's Note: I got the idea for this story a few months ago when I had the flu. Under the influence of a high fever and rather a lot of Cherry Nyquil, I dreamed the premise for this, and it wouldn't let me go. So, if you don't like it, blame the rotgut.

ANNIVERSARY

CH. 1 Paper

Seth had been shot. A piece of metal had been propelled at a high velocity into him. Not like Luke, he only got winged like a bullet, and milked it back into a relationship with Marissa.

No, Seth had been shot, right in the stomach, and since he didn't feel like reaching around to find out, he was going to assume that the bullet was still inside him, thank you very much.

(Howthedevildoyoudoscenebreaks?)

The trip back from Portland had taken a while, bus trips always do, but Ryan had refused to get back on a plane. Considering how scared the boy was of heights, Seth was touched and flattered by the fact that Ryan had flown in the first place. Plus, after exchanging plane tickets for bus, there was plenty of cash left over for snacks, and possibly comics.

A short stop in Chino before they got back to the 'rents, just need to get Ryan's stuff and go.

Theresa's house was empty. The furniture and stuff were there, but the air was dry, stale. It looked like Theresa and her mother were only gone for a while, but the small, crowded space, echoed, howled loneliness.

But maybe Seth was being over-dramatic.

Two cardboard boxes were packed and waiting by the front door, but Seth followed Ryan further into the house, to a small room, hardly larger than a closet.

Ryan had been quiet since Theresa's phone call. He'd relaxed a little on the bus, talking about the upcoming school year, teasing Seth about how bad Summer was going to kick his ass, but as they approached California, he got quieter. By the time the bus stopped in Chino, he hadn't spoken for an hour.

It was hard for Seth to go that long without talking, but he'd managed.

Ryan stood in the doorway of the little room, and Seth waited just behind him, for once, completely without words. For the first time in his life, there was nothing to say, no joke or change of subject, so he waited, watching dust motes dance through beams of late afternoon sun. Seth was surprised there was sunshine in Chino.

(Seriously,I'mnotkidding.)

And now Seth was shot, much worse than that pussy Luke Ward. Ryan was somewhere nearby, probably. Since the sun went down, Seth couldn't see his brother anywhere, and the boy had stopped making any noise. Seth wasn't sure if the absence of groans was good or bad. He didn't want to hear the sounds of pain, but now he wasn't sure if Ryan was alive. Of course he's alive. He's being stealth, that's all. Waiting to be sure those guys are gone, then it's Ryan to the rescue.

He planted his hand, trying to get the leverage to stand, or at least sit up. The ground was wet. Had it been raining? Did it rain in Chino? Maybe it was tears. He thought he'd heard crying earlier, but he didn't say anything then. Seth didn't have much of a tough guy reputation, but he knew enough about the Man Code to know that if you cry, you keep your mouth shut.

(Thisisgettingridiculous.)

The crow watched the proceedings with an impartial eye. One young boy weeping red blood onto green grass. Shadow spreading into shadow under the sputtering streetlights.

Paramedics surrounded the other boy like carrion birds.

Neither teen would last night. Their lives were racing the dawn.

"Seth? No. Get off me!" The boy, exhausted by the shout, collapsed back onto the ground, gasping, "You have to help Seth. Shot," then slipping into unconsciousness.

Other voices, strange voices. "We've got a pulse, but it's there. Severely beaten, multiple fractures, probable internal bleeding, and if this rib hasn't punctured a lung, it's going to."

"The other one?"

"Two shots to the abdomen. Bled out, but we're gonna drive him in anyway. Helps the parents to know their kid died in a hospital, not on a street."

(JustpretendI'mnothere.)

The crow was wrong. Ryan lasted another day.

Note: Okay, that's chapter one. An OC/Crow crossover. Love it or hate it, let me know. I love the attention, reviews are my crack.

And if you want to read any more of this story, you have to review. Only the first taste is free.

Incidentally, if any of you know how to format scene breaks, let me know. There's nothing like an air of quiet desparation expressed through tiny personal notes to take you away from a good story.