Prologue
"I cannot wait until winter so we can go ice skating at Rockefeller center," Sam proclaimed as he Mercedes and Artie made their way down the bustling sidewalks of New York City, headed to the Spotlight Diner to hang with their friends.
"Boy, are you crazy?" Mercedes asked from where she was nestled against Sam's chest, as his arm rested around her shoulders. "We got here when spring was just starting and it was freezing, I seriously don't know how we're going to survive our first New York winter."
"Whatever we do I hope it involves a bed and a lot of body heat," Sam said seductively as he threw her a wink and pulled her closer to him, in return Mercedes sweetly blushed and playfully swatted at his chest.
"Ok, for those of us whose girlfriend is not here could you please tone that kind of talk down?" Artie said somberly as he pushed his chair just ahead of Sam and Mercedes.
"Sorry Artie," Sam offered with a smirk.
"Yeah, when is Kitty planning on visiting you here in NYC anyway?" Mercedes asked.
"I don't know, anytime I bring it up she quickly changes the subject." Artie replied sadly. "After I got accepted into film school here and all the time leading up to graduation, we always talked about her coming here to visit and possibly going to school here, but now…I don't know."
"Maybe things are just hectic for her right now, you know sending out the college applications and preparing for her senior year." Mercedes attempted to console her friend. At that moment a speeding car screeched out as it sped around the corner they were at followed by a police cruise blaring its sirens. The trio on the sidewalk stopped to stare at the commotion, until gunfire suddenly rang out. Chaos broke out as the many pedestrians screamed and ran for cover. Artie was knocked from his chair and he laid flat on the ground and covered his head with his arms to protect himself not only from the flying bullets but from the many feet stomping by him. Sam wrapped both of his arms around Mercedes and threw them to the ground, and he threw himself over her to protect her. The racing cars quickly passed and people who were knocked over began picking themselves up. Sam lifted himself off of Mercedes and checked her over.
"Mercedes, are you ok baby?" Sam asked as he helped her stand, she could only nod her head. Sam grabbed a quick kiss from her lips and then moved to where Artie was seated on the ground, and helped him back into his chair. "Artie, you alright man?"
"Yeah, but I think I may have soiled my pants a little." Artie replied with a slight smile as Sam smirked at him.
"I guess police chases and shoot-outs are just the perks of living in the big city right?" Sam joked with a smile as he stood upright. When he turned back to Mercedes his smile instantly dropped. "Mercedes?" He called out to her as she stood staring at him with a deep frown on her face. Sam couldn't seem to move as he stared at her and at all the blood that seemed to be gushing from her head, down her face, to stain her blouse and jacket.
"My head hurts," She spoke out softly as she reached up a hand to touch her head but her eyes rolled upward, her head fell back, and she began to collapse, and Sam rushed to catch her crumbling body.