Chapter One

~Colt's POV~

"Are you alright?" asked the voice again.

I didn't think it sounded like the boy who had tried to rape me, so I looked up nervously. There stood a tall young man, wearing a hat and skinnies with an Of Mice and Men tank. He had black hair and tan skin, and I felt like I should recognize him.

"You okay or not?" he asked.

I ignored the pain that was spreading throughout my body and sat up to face him. I heard him gasp at my wounds, but he almost immediately had helped me to my feet and was getting me out of the alley.

"How the hell did you get here?" he asked me as we walked quickly down the darkened road.

"I ran." I muttered, not feeling as though I should answer that question for a man I barely knew.

He shot me a look, and turned away. I was mystified by him already. He obviously wasn't your average guy. I mean, who rescues random girls out of dark alleyways at one in the morning anyway? But it wasn't just that. I recognized him from somewhere, and it kept nagging me. I felt like I knew his name, but then I didn't. Had I slept in under three days, I thought, maybe I would remember this sort of thing.

We walked in silence for a little bit, until finally my curiosity got the best of me. "Who are you, anyway?"

He looked at me, grinning widely. "Wouldn't it have been smarter to ask that before walking off with me?"

I glared, not in the mood for his joking. "Stop being cheeky and answer me."

He sighed and rolled his eyes animatedly. "Fine then, princess. The name's Mike Fuentes." he said, extending a hand.

I shook it warily, beginning to realize why he was familiar. "You mean from Pierce the Veil?'

Mike grinned again. "That's me."

I smiled tiredly. "That's why you seemed familiar." I whispered.

Mike hadn't heard. "So who exactly are you?"

For a moment, I debated telling him who I was. Just because I knew who he was didn't mean I could trust him. Quickly, I shook it off. "I'm Colt."

"Interesting name."

"Shut up, Fountains."

He laughed. "Already translated that, have you?"

I glared menacingly. Usually I would've laughed this off, but given the circumstances I wasn't in the mood for laughing. "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere we can get your chin bandaged and get you safe."

"Which would be where….?"

"The hospital." Mike said, giving me a look that had duh written all over it.

"But that's, what, ten miles away?"

Mike nodded. "Yep. Ten and a half, to be specific."

I groaned. "How the hell are we going to get there before I bleed out or something?"

He laughed. "Car, of course."

I felt like an idiot. Why would I honestly think we were walking to the hospital? God, I really needed some sleep. I was going crazy.

About a half hour later, Mike had hailed a taxi and we were on our way to the hospital. Unfortunately, there was some traffic, so we were delayed. Mike, seeing my tiredness, offered to let me lean on him. I blushed madly.

"Mike…"

"No, I'm serious. You're exhausted. Go to sleep. Use me as a pillow."

I sighed, giving up. "Fine. Wake me up when we get there." I muttered, leaning on his shoulder. I was asleep in seconds, welcomed by a peaceful black.

~Mike's POV~

As Colt fell asleep on my shoulder, I mulled over what had happened that night. Colt was certainly unique in her own ways. I mainly wanted to know why she ended up in a darkened alleyway with a cut on her jaw being attacked by a gang. One thing was for sure, though. I couldn't let myself fall for her. I left town tomorrow with the guys on tour, and I couldn't break her heart like that. I couldn't let myself get emotionally attached so easily anymore. Not after what happened last time.

As the taxi turned into the hospital, I shook Colt's shoulder. She yawned sleepily, and snuggled into me. My breath hitched in surprise, and I smiled at how adorable she was. I almost didn't want to wake her. But I shook her again. "Colt, wake up."

She blinked open her eyes, and when she realized where she was, she sat up so fast it scared me. "We're here, then?"

I nodded. "I have to go now. Be safe." I said, helping her out. "It was nice meeting you Colt."

"Nice meeting you too, Mike."

As the taxi turned the corner, I watched Colt walk in the door. I doubted that I would ever see her again.

~Colt's POV~

I hopped out of the taxi, and walked in the hospital doors without looking back. A nurse ran forward, already examining the bloody wound as I walked to the desk. I had always hated hospitals. They were the site of all of my family fights, all after I attempted or cut too deep. They had bad memories. I didn't trust them.

Soon, I was in the emergency room, a doctor applying numbing cream to my cut as he prepared to stitch it up. I had no fondness whatsoever for needles, and I clenched my eyes shut as he stuck it gently into my skin. I didn't feel anything, of course, but I imagined the pain as he threaded in and out, in and out. When he was done, I sighed in relief. As soon as I was released, I called a taxicab and headed home. The night had been too long, and despite sneaking sleep with Mike, I was still exhausted. Yawning as I was dropped off in my neighborhood, I unlocked the door and stumbled inside, collapsing on the sofa fully dressed. I would have more time to think tomorrow, but now, I needed rest.