Dressed in black with tear stained cheeks, a dreary sky seemed to linger on such a horrible day. Watching my brother and Shelly being buried, felt as if I was being buried right along with them. My mind swirled with agonizing thoughts, one's I wanted more than anything to go away. But I knew they never would.

"Hey kid. You alright?" Albrecht said with a tinge of sadness within his tone, seeing just how dragged down I'd gotten since all this happened just mere days ago. Nothing was done on the police's part because they all know who did it. I know who did it. But, everyone was terrified of their asses. Top Dollar and his crew of idiots. They threatened the entire apartment building to keep everyone in line. But what they did to Shelly, to Eric...... I can't forgive. Ever.

"Trying to be. But, not really." I softly kneeled to my knees with bouquets in both hands. Both contained black colored roses that I know they would love. I gently placed them atop their freshly covered graves with my tears mingling with the dirt below.

"I've been staying with her. I can't lose her to....." Sarah said to Albrecht with sadness of her own shining through, even though I know how tough this kid really is.

"Just...... remember I'm here if you need me, alright?" Albrecht softly patted my shoulder, before taking his exit from the cemetery to restart his shift at the sad excuse of a station he works for.

"Love you bub, Shelly." I closed my eyes from my words, the horrible pain I felt threatening to consume every inch of me until there was nothing left. Sarah and I finally took our own exits from the cemetery after I could manage to stand without shaking, knowing in my heart that it was time for a change. I couldn't stay in that loft forever. I just couldn't.....

"I think I'm going to ride around for a while, clear my head. See ya at home later." I softly nodded as we hugged one another, watching as Sarah rode off on the skateboard she always has glued to her side. Her own mother, Darla, was never around. She only gave her a tiny bit of money from her shift at the bar each night to get her some food. But that's not enough to keep a growing kid going.

"I swear bub, one day. One day I'm going to kill those fucking assholes. If it's the last thing I do....." And I wholeheartedly meant it. With every single fiber of my being, I meant it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(One Year Later)
Music blared from my newly bought speakers I had acquired mere days ago from money I earned at a gig playing guitar, and even doing some singing. Ever since that day I had lost my world, I've been filling the void with booze, music, sex, anything to keep me going. Keep me distracted.

"Nice set babe!" My boyfriend Paul said with a gentle smile upon his lips, having been watching the entire time I played instead of worrying about his customers that had actually piled into the restaurant/bar I'd been playing at for the past year. That being how we met. He owns the place, The Hideaway. He'd managed to turn my world upside down, in such a good way as a matter of fact. And it was far out of the town I hated more than anything. But I wasn't willing to leave it yet. Something kept me there. A feeling.

"Thanks Pauly! You're too damn good to me." His lips crashed onto mine with his arms snaking around my waist, feeling his fingers linger on my exposed back. To say our sexual tension was intense, was an understatement. But not only was he banging me, he was also my manager who got me a crowd, got me a record deal, got me these gigs that kept me afloat.

"Ewwww. Okay. Okay! Please not with me here." I grinned in humor from the sound of Sarah's sudden voice ringing in my ears, knowing she's been hanging out for a bit now. She always came to watch me play. My biggest fans right here. My support group.

"Innocent eyes. Sorry!" I said while covering her eyes with a laugh escaping me once she slapped my hands away with a grin of her own in place.

"Remember! My place, tonight. I got most of your stuff moved in already." That was another leap I had decided to take. I finally was moving in with Paul. But couldn't stay away from the now abandoned building I'd called home for what felt like ages. Good ages full of memories I'll never forget. Including the bad ones.

"I know. I'll be there." The key he had made for me was dangling from my key ring like the fresh start I needed once we gave our parting kisses and Sarah and I left the bar, getting into my car to drive back to that place I called Devil's Square. My old apartment was practically bare once we reached it after a bit of driving.

"I can't believe he talked you into moving with him. You're seriously changing Ana. I'm proud of you." The pictures of my brother I decided to pack myself and drive them in a box up to Paul's classy apartment building, clambering to even get them packed without crying.

"Thanks Sar Bear." I ruffled her hair with her nickname I always call her that usually irritates her. She grimaced from the mere sound of it, causing us both to laugh in unison. Eventually, she headed out while I got the pictures packed and went to one last stop before getting out of here. But not for good. I still had unfinished business. Business I'd slowly been working on accomplishing.

"Come on Gabriel. It's time to go." I said to the sweet cat Eric and Shelly always adored, my last stop being the loft that still had the broken out window Eric fell through, their belongings scattered about that I just couldn't face. I always snuck in here through the wooden planks that were supposed to keep people out.

"Ana....?" I froze dead in my spot from the mere sound of my name being whispered out into the emptiness of the loft, finally able to whirl around, to be faced with something I never expected. Someone, I never expected.

"Eric.....?"