Hi everyone! I know it's been a super long time since I updated and I am so sorry. Once life grabs you it grabs you hard. Anyway, before you continue reading the next chapters you may want to go back a chapter or two in order to kinda refresh your memory on the story. You don't have to but it's a suggestion because I am very well aware of how long ago I updated. I hope you enjoy!

The ringing in my ear was nearly unbearable. Confusion and chaos surrounded me. Everything kept coming in and out of focus. The world felt like it was spinning.

Screaming. Is that screaming I hear? Maura. Where's Maura?

"Jane!"

She's yelling for me. Where is she?

"Jane! Help Me!

My attention is draw to the end of the hall. There she is. And she's not ok. The shooter is pulling her backward as he holds her hostage style. She's cry and pleading for help.

'Move your damn feet Jane! You gotta save Maura!'

"Look, sir," I started cautiously as I approached the man with the gun, "You don't have to do this. Just let my friend go. Everything will be all right."

"Don't come any closer! Or I'll shoot you and your friend!"

"Rick. Rick, right? I can't imagine what is going through your mind right now, but if you just let her go I'm sure things could be sorted out. Please, I don't want anyone to get hurt." I thought I was getting progress when a smile came across his face, and he let out a small laugh.

"You clearly haven't seen the rest of the school. And don't be telling me all this bullshit about if I turn myself in everything will be ok. This is the only way people will listen." He then proceeded to place the gun on the back of Maura's right shoulder. I looked from the gun to Maura's glistening eyes. They were filled with fear and terror. Rick pulled the trigger; Maura gave a tiny yelp as she crumbled to the floor. It all happened in near milliseconds.

I sat bolt upright. My heart was racing faster than the Road Runner being chased by Wile E. Coyote. A sweat had broken out on my forehead and palms. I looked around the bright room only to be met by emptiness. Maura. Where's Maura?

"Maura?" I raised my voice. There was no response, and to be honest, I was starting to panic a little. "Maura?" I called again. And as before, nothing.

I pulled myself up and sat myself on the edge of my bed. I took a deep breath before I set my right foot on the ground, followed by my left. Therapy had made my stability a little better, but I still needed some help. I stood up slowly keeping my hand close to the bed to steady myself as my other hand reached for my walker. I was relieved when my fingers wrapped around the cool metal and I brought the walker closer.

I had just reached the closed door to my room, and was leaning over my walker to turn the handle when it opened. The door hit my walker and I fell forward a little bit.

"Oh my goodness, Jane. I am so sorry. I had no idea you would be standing at the door. Here, let me help you."

Once I regained my balance I noticed Maura grabbing hold of my upper left arm and hauling me back to bed. "Maura, where did you go?"

"I was at the cafeteria for breakfast. Why?"

"Nothing, I just woke up and you weren't here. I wondered where you went."

Maura stopped and looked at me skeptically. "There's something you're not telling me. Were you in pain? Are there other places that you're started to not feel? Are you starting to feel more? Jane, tell me."

"No, I, I just had a bad dream; that's all." Now Maura looked concerned.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, not really." The truth was I didn't want to tell Maura my dreams of her dying or being shot. I only told my therapist those things when Maura wasn't there.

"Oh, ok," She sounded a little hurt, "Well let's get you dressed. It's your big day today, remember? You're going to walk without any assistants."

"Ok Jane, I'm going to let go of you now, but I will be right here just in case you fall." Maura stepped back away from me slowly. I could hold myself up on my own. I looked down at the floor nervously, then I looked up at Maura. She gave a nod of her head and a reassuring smile. I inhaled deeply then exhaled.

Right. Left. Right. I could barely believe it. I was walking.

I can continue to play basketball, right?