Javier started down the long stretch of sand and watched the waves slide back and forth. "Where am I going?" he thought to himself... I should be with Katey. But he also felt he needed to clear his mind. He worried that if he stayed there with her they would both end up saying something they'd regret.

What should I do? I don't want to leave my country... it is my home.

Katey must be feeling the same. But she left her home once, couldn't she do it again? For me? Am I being selfish?

He continued walking. Finally he removed his shoes and felt the sand move between his toes. He walked miles, up and down the beach. He saw people. Kids, families, lovers. He wanted that in his life so very much, but wondered if any of those people had to go through what he and Katey had to.

Could he leave La Rosa Negra? What was left of his family?

Questions like that kept entering his mind.

Finally he reached a decision, it was tough, but he knew it was right. In the end it was the only choice he could have made.

Now, he had to tell Katey...

Javier began walking the beach again, back toward the car, toward the hotel.

After a mile or so, he saw some of the kids he had seen earlier. This time they were with a tall, dark dressed man. Suddenly one of them screamed.

Javier ran toward them,

"What's going on?"

"Help! Por Favor!"

Javier tried to push the man away from the children.

The man turned around and pulled a knife out.

"Déme su dinero." He said, aiming it at Javier.

Javier pulled out his wallet and gave it to the man. The man took it covetously.

"Leave them alone!" Javier said pointing to the children. "Take my money and go."

The man stabbed him in the stomach several times, he dropped the wallet, and then he and the children ran away with the money. Javier realized he had been tricked.

He fell to his knees, his life's blood draining onto the beach. It felt like slow motion, the knife coming at him, the sharp pain in his stomach was excruciating.

He could feel the warmth flowing out of him. Money flew across the sand in front of him. He could here people yelling from behind him.

A middle aged man appeared cradled him in his arms. He felt so weak, so cold. He began to fall in and out of consciousness. His eyes began to cloud over and blacken. Somewhere he could hear someone say,

"I think we have lost him now." And, "He's lost too much blood."

He could feel his body trembling. This is not how it is supposed to end, he thought. He looked up and saw Katey's smile. Was she really there?

How can I be dying? She came back for ME! She is here for me! She is waiting for me now! But all he could see was Katey's smile...