Rent Continued: Part 2

"I can't believe this," said Mimi. She was so exhausted she couldn't think straight.

"Don't worry, Miranda won't hurt him," said Roger, as they walked along from block to block, searching for that blue SUV.

It was a dark night, and the starless sky went on above them forever. The dark streets echoed with city sounds, cabs and busses, a shouting fight in one of the hundreds of apartment buildings that lined the roads. The couple did not expect to see the burning vehicle up against the stoplight, to smell the burning metal, and to hear the screams of a woman from inside.

Mimi knew instantly which car it was. It was clear no one in it was alive. A hoarse sigh escaped her throat, and she broke down in tears.

"No…" Roger couldn't believe it. He couldn't be gone. Not Mark.

As his tears began to roll, a cough came from the sidewalk nearby. "Guys, a little help?"

"Mark!" shouted Roger. He ran over and knelt down next to him. "Oh thank God, Mark, I thought…."

Mimi ran over and hugged him. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm good," said Mark, standing up. "Thank God the windows shattered, I wouldn't have had time to unlock the door."

"Let's get home," said Roger.

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Pablo continued to sit at the table in the cafeteria. He had not received the call from Danielle that meant the job had been done. He knew what that meant. He would have to take care of things himself. He stood up, walked out of the dining hall, and headed for Joanne's room.

When he got there, he knocked on the door. No answer. He entered and stood over the bed where the couple slept. Pulling out his gun, he placed it over Joanne's head, and fired into her head. Blood gushed everywhere, all over the bed sheets.

Maureen jumped up and looked at Pablo. Except it wasn't Maureen. It was a man, with long dark hair. "What the hell? Oh my God," he said, seeing what had happened.

Fuck! thought Pablo. She gave me the wrong goddamn room number! He ran out the door, down the hall, and flew down the stairs. He ran out the door of the hospital and jumped into a cab.

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Joanne woke with a start when she heard a bang. "Maureen, what was that?"

She was half asleep. "Mmmm… just a clumsy janitor…."

Joanne sighed and went back to sleep.

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Collins had been just about to fall asleep when he heard the gunshot. He tried to shake Tony awake. "Tony? Did you hear that? Tony?" He wouldn't wake up. Collins gasped when he saw he wasn't breathing.

"Doctor! Someone get a doctor!" He flipped on the light, threw open the door, and ran into the hall. "Help! Someone get help!"

A nurse ran past him into the room. She checked Tony's vitals and pulled out the emergency defibrillator from under the bed. A doctor ran in and stood next to her as she hooked it up. He ripped open Tony's gown and warmed up the machine.

Collins watched in sheer horror as he said, "Clear!" and pressed the paddles against Tony's chest.

Finally, after two tries, Tony showed signs of life. He opened his eyes and looked around blearily. "Thank God," said Collins. He hugged him.

The doctor began to wheel him out. "He's not stable yet. We need to get him to the Intensive Care Unit." They pushed him down the hall.

Collins walked out after them. The police were already on the scene, looking for whatever caused the gunshot that saved Tony's life. For now.

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Roger, Mimi, and Mark all sat around in the Loft, watching the late night reruns of Jerry Springer. They wanted to go to sleep, but they were much too wired from the night's events.

As another fight broke out on the television, a special news report came through. The reporter was coming live from St. Lucas Peace hospital. Mimi turned the volume up.

"Tragedy has struck here at this hospital late tonight. A man, reported to be of Mexican descent and between the ages of 25-30, shot a young woman as she slept in one of the hospital's rooms."

"You don't think…" Roger trailed off.

"The man tried to escape, but was apprehended when a cab driver received an all-points-bulletin from his manager. He is alive and in custody. The woman, unfortunately, passed away. Back to you, Jack."

"We have to go," said Roger. "They're probably shaken up." He prayed the worse had not happened. They grabbed their coats and headed down the stairs.

AN: I hope your likin it. REVIEWS! REVIEWS! REVIEWS!