Disclaimer: I do not own anything RENT, all belongs to Jonathan Larson.

I'll follow you

It was a cold but sunny January day in the city, and Roger walked along the bustling New York crowd to get to his destination. He looked over his shoulder every so often, making sure one of the Bohemians wasn't close behind. He didn't want them to see him so desperate. Soon he arrived at Central Park, contemplating whether or not he should go in. After a moment of deliberation, he walked up to the shady tree where The Man was always peddling his smack.

"Well, Well, Well, Roger Davis. I didn't expect you to come back. Maybe Mimi, but you? What a pleasant surprise" the Man said grinning, his dark eyes eyeing his next victim, or what he considered his customer.

"Yeah, whatever, just give me what I came for and I'll be on my way" said Roger.

"Here you go man" said the man. He slipped him the little packet of powder, and Roger slipped him the money.

"They always come back" the Man muttered to himself as Roger walked away.

Roger walked around aimlessly for a couple of hours, afraid of what he had just done? What if they find out? What if Mimi hates me now?

Eventually he made his way to a seedy hotel and went inside.

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The remaining Bohemians were in shock for a moment after Roger had left. First, Mimi checked his room but he wasn't in there. She stayed in there a moment, and looked at his belongings. His beloved guitar, his leather jacket. Damn it, he might catch a cold! She thought to herself. After exiting the room, the Bohemians went around the apartment complex and began looking around. When they got to Mimi's floor they noticed her door was open. She was the first to step inside, followed by the others. The room looked like it was rummaged through, stuff everywhere. After a moment Mimi eyed the wooden jewelry box.

"Damn it!" she said. She began looking around, hoping Roger didn't find what she thought he had found.

"What is it?" Collins asked tenderly.

"He took the syringe that I had in there. That used to be my hiding place for it. I forgot to get rid of it. Oh God, I hope he's not in trouble" she said. She sat on her bed with her face in her hands.

"No way! I am not letting him do this again! Let's go guys!" said Mark strongly.

The rest nodded in agreement and they were all on their way. They checked the alleys first to make sure he wasn't hurt or dying in one. After no luck there, they tried Central Park, but the Man was long gone by then and so was Roger.

Oh Roger, baby, where are you? thought Mimi to herself.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Roger was lying down on the bed and the needle was on the nightstand. He didn't touch it yet, he was too afraid. He heard the sounds of drug addicts, pimps, prostitutes, and others of the like in the distance. He closed his eyes and began thinking of his childhood,

A thirteen year old Roger was sitting on his bedroom floor, listening to his records. Bands and artist like Led Zeppelin and Hendrix filled the room. Then, a loud bang on the door.

"Roger Anthony Davis turn down that fucking music or I'm coming in there!" screamed his father. He knew his dad would come in anyway. He began shaking, his heart pounding. Ever since his older brother Steven had died, his dad drank like crazy. His older brother was the apple of his father's eye. He got excellent grades, and seemed to be the perfect athlete and child. Roger was the fuck-up, growing out his hair and skipping class. The door burst open and there stood his father in the doorway.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he shouted. He picked up some of Roger's records and broke them. Roger got up and tried to leave but his father threw him down and began punching him

"YOU WERE A MISTAKE ROGER! A MISTAKE! You disgust me!"

After a couple more blows, he left Roger, alone, bleeding on the floor.

Roger's eyes sprang open suddenly, and he was sweating profusely. He took off his soaked shirt and looked into the mirror.

So this is what you've become, huh Davis? A wash-up has-been rock star with AIDS and no future.

He needed an escape, any escape. That needle looked pretty good right now.