The lights swirled in awful colors as she tried to bring her sight back into focus. When she felt pain swim through her body, she winced and heard someone walk over to her. She made out a form, but with her eyes unfocused she couldn't see any features to place the person. Hands touched her head and a light blinded her as it moved around her eyes. She was about to smack it away when it did disappear and she blinked to get rid of the spots.

She listened to the person leave and she closed her eyes to recover from the uneasiness brewing within. As she tried to rest, she heard machines and she groaned, knowing where she was. When she moved her arm, she felt the IV tug against her and she rolled her eyes.

"You should really be trying to sleep."

She opened her eyes slowly and tried to focus, but still she failed. Her head was beyond dizzy and she just wanted to crawl up into a corner and bang her head until she could see.S he saw a form leaning over her and she felt a hand moving over her eyes. She shoved it away without needing clear sight and heard a chuckle.

"You still amaze me. I'm surprised you can do what you can with your sight the way it is."

Finally she was able to see some features and asked "How long have I been out?"

"Two days. Startled us all when you moved. Doc said you wouldn't wake for at least a week after the beating you took. Lost a lot of blood."

She could still remember the pain as that bullet had ripped through her shoulder. Still she didn't know why he had missed, but that would have to wait until later.

She took a deep breath and asked "Where is the bastard?"

"Police have him locked up good until you are released and then you have to go talk with them. Apparently you know this man."

A small smirk shadowed her face and said "That I do. He's failed four times now to do me in. Luck will eventually run out and he'll get me."

"You sound like you're waiting for it to happen. Why are you so eager to die?"

She looked at the person and said "That is my business only."

Another chuckle reached her ear and she felt the person brushing loose hair from her face. Her skin crawled and she smacked the hand away before her nerves went crazy. A hand stopped her from resisting the touch and the hand continued to expose her face. She looked away and prayed for her sight to clear before anything else happened. When the person got the hint, she heard them move across the room and she relaxed.

"You should really have the doc look at that bruise on your jaw before it gets any worse."

She rolled her eyes and said "I don't need the doc to look over a measly bruise. How long before he gets back here?"

"He'll be back in an hour. Why?"

She looked at the ceiling and said "I'm leaving when he gets back."

A groan was easily heard and she let her eyes close while her mind settled down into sleep. She knew the hour would pass slowly, so she let sleep settle back in. When she felt a hand examining her jaw, her eyes opened and she looked at the form. Everything was still unfocused and she blinked until she found her sight back. Relief swept through her and she met the doc's gaze fully while noticing him writing on the chart in his hand.

He rubbed his chin and said "I see you've recovered sufficiently. Your friend here says you plan on leaving, but I highly suggest you don't."

She sat up and as she pulled the IV from her hand she said "I've had too much hospital time in my lifetime. No more."

She slid off the bed and said a silent prayer of thanks for having her clothes on instead of the stupid hospital wear. When she walked over to the table, she saw Ken watching her with authority and she took a drink of water. The doc was right behind her, but she stepped around him and walked to the door. As she opened it, she saw nurses look at her and one start to approach her. Without a second thought, she took a deep breath and made a break for the main exit.

When she reached the door, she shoved it open without stopping and ran down the sidewalk until she found a dark alley. She slipped into it and hid out of the sunrays as some police and doctors ran on past. Her pulse was racing and she took a deep breath before she stepped back into the sun. She could see the idiots still running toward the southern section of the city and she made her way to the north section. The walk was nice and it gave her a chance to decide what she was going to do next.

True her location was discovered and he had already attempted to kill her, but she had a stable life here without any ties to her past. She didn't see that running was really an option anymore. Twice she has run to escape her past, and both times it comes back with even more pain. Her new home gave her complete freedom from that past and she enjoyed it to the fullest. With new frustration to be taken care of, she quickened her pace and returned to her home.

PGS