Richard Maxwell sat defiantly against the wall, thinking. Not good. Definitely not good.

He racked his brain, trying to think of some way to get the hostages out.

There's only one way. He set his jaw. Only one person is going to die today.

Me.

He explained his plan to the others, who all nodded.

Except Regan. She shook her head. "I don't think so. You can barely stand up, you're so weak."

It was true. He had lost so much blood over the last few days that was was rocking back an forth on his feet. Nellie and Fiske were pretty much holding him up. He nodded. "Alright. We'll do it your way." Please, God, let them get out safely.

It was the first time he had actually prayed. It was the first of many, as it would turn out.

Ten excruciating minutes later, two Vespers opened the door. They were holding guns, and looked very intimidating. Fortunately, Regan had been working out and could kick those guy's butts easily. After she had taken them down, she nodded to Richard, who went through the door first. He saw the coast was clear, and gestured for the others to follow.

They made their way out into a long hallway. It seemed to take forever, but they finally found a staircase that led into open air. Richard ran up first, then, seeing that no one was there, came down and told the others to go on up.

The sounds of yelling and the pounding of feet made it clear to Richard that they had been discovered. He turned to the only hostage left, Nellie, and told her to go."I'll hold them off long enough for you guys to get away."

She shook her head. "I'm not going to let you do that."

Richard was relentless. "Go! This is your only chance." His breathing was ragged. He winced. "You know I won't last long. I might as well make it count."

Nellie gabbed him with her good arm and pulled him close.

Then, she pressed her lips against his.

Richard was shocked for moment, but calmed down and closed his eyes as he reached up and held the back of her head.

Something was nagging him, telling him to watch out. He opened his slightly, and saw Vespers, a crapload of Vespers, running towards them. He also saw they were armed.

He pushed Nellie to the side just as a shot rang out.

She looked at him, not noticing the others. "What was that for?"

He shrugged. "I... Dislike long kisses?" The Vespers were closing in now. "Go!" He pushed her up the stairs before she could protest.

Then, he raised his fists. "Come on, you lousy wimps! I can take you all on! I ain't goin down without a fight, so come on! Rush me, all of ya!"

Nellie looked back, only to see Richard be engulfed in the swarm of Vespers.

Richard woke up in the dark, not knowing where he was.
Ah! My head! Oooh... What's wrong with me?

He breathed in deeply. I may not be an expert, but I'm fairly certain that Heaven does not smell like a cardboard box.

He felt around with his left arm, having to stop a few inches from his face.

Yep. He was in a box.

He tried to remember what happened before he was stuffed into there. It slowly started coming back to him...

He had been beaten and dragged to the interrogation room. There was not need for restraints this time.

They were going to kill him.

He was so weak, he just stared up at the person standing over him, who was holding a syringe with a strange liquid inside. He watched silently as the person's hand came down and the needle pierced his arm, sending a burning chill through his body. He twisted in pain. It hurt so much...

Then, the pain stopped. Instead of burning, it felt like water; cool, fresh water. His eyelids started to feel heavy, but he was still aware of what was going on. He could feel his heartbeat pulsing his ears.

And then... it stopped.

He could hear his faint breath, but soon it stopped, too.

Then, his eyes closed, and he fell into a deep sleep.

Richard remembered. He tried to sit up, but the top of the box was taped shut from the outside.

He then heard noises coming from outside.

"...package?"

"Maybe Sinead ordered something."

"I don't know..."

Richard spoke up. "Oy! If you two would mind, I'd like to get out of here, please!"

He heard a gasp, and what sounded like "yeep!" Then the sound of a pocket knife slicing through tape. The lid opened, and Richard blinked.

Amy and Dan. He grinned and tried to sit up, but everything started swimming and swirling.

Then, Richard passed out.