"Ready to go?"

"Ya lets get out of here."

The engine roared to life. Shane clicked into first gear. He released the clutch quickly, and they sped away leaving long burn out marks on the pavement.

"Thought we would never get away."

"I know. Your parents are being retarded. Where do you want to go? We can go as far away as you want."

"I don't care. Let's just get out of town."

Trees flew by, the wind beating against their faces. The warm air made them feel like they had no worries in the world. Jesse's problems with her parents disappeared in the afternoon's sun.

The open road felt good. They planned on driving south until they got tired. They figured they would end up somewhere in Cali eventually. They both agreed that that would be a fun place to stay for a while.

"Maybe we can go surfing or somethin. Haven't tried that. Or maybe go longboardin on the boardwalk. That sounds fun." Jesse suggested.

"What eva you want girl," Shane said playfully.

He looked over at her, and saw her hair blowing in the breeze, her cute outfit. Her personality. She was just too much. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to be with her.

*slam*

"What the hell!" Shane coughed. "Uh, my head, what happened?" He sputtered and looked up. He saw his Jeep, fifteen feet away, upside down. Smoke was billowing from the motor. Sitting straight up now, he looked down at his arms and saw bruises and blood all over his hands and arms. Instantly he thought about Jesse.

"Jesse! Jesse! Where are you?" Shane screamed as he scramblde to his feet. He was instantly back down on the ground when his side flamed with intense pain.

He figured maybe he broke a rib or something. Disregarding it, he leaped up and ran to the Jeep looking for Jesse.

There she was, still locked in her seatbelt. The smell of burning oil and anti-freeze filled his lungs. He couldn't stand it. He had to back away to catch his breath. As soon as he got a breath he went back to get Jesse out.

"Jesse! Can you hear me? Are you alright?" He raised his voice, coughing with the effort. He grabbed her seat belt and tried to get it undone but it was stuck. He knew he didn't have much time. The car was already smoking, there was a fire somewhere. And it was matter of minutes to when it would ignite the gas and explode.

He looked in his pocket for his little pocketknife. But couldn't find it. It must have flown out of my pocket when I was ejected from the car.

He didn't care, he knew what was at stake.

He could remember their fist night together; a star filled night, cuddled in blankets, on the top of a houseboat that their families had rented that summer. They had looked deep into each others eyes, getting lost, feeling like they could hold each other forever. He slowly leaned his head over to meat her soft lips halfway. Her hand on the side of his face supporting and gently brushing it with her thumb.

Suddenly he snapped out of the past and saw her soft limp body over the seatbelt, her head resting on the dashboard. Blood dripped down her peaceful face from a big cut in her forehead. He couldn't stand seeing her like this. He reached in to get her body out, supporting the seatbelt out of the way, and pulled with all the strength he had left. He felt his muscles rip but he didn't care. The seatbelt snapped lose, and he gently but with enough force, grabbed her and carried her toward the other side of the freeway. His body cramped and tried to pull him down. The pain was almost unbearable.

"Ahh..." He screamed in pain but he would not put her down until they got to the other side of the freeway, just incase the car did explode. Before he could even finish his thought, a huge explosion went off behind him. He was knocked to his knees but she was still in his grip; he was determined to keep her safe.

A piece of shrapnel hit him in the back. He bent backwards and his face began to tear from the pain. That didn't stop him either. He placed her gently down on her back.

Think, think, Shane. What was it that my health teacher taught you about CPR.' He thought frantically. Head back, check for breathing, check pulse. She has a pulse. Now what? He paused, performed the actions. Think, Shane, think! Two rescue breaths, then fifteen compressions to the chest. One breathe, then fifteen more compressions.'

He could hear her ribs breaking under his compressions.

'If your don't hear ribs breaking than your not doing it correctly.' Mr. Limber had taught.

He couldn't stand seeing her like this. The sounds of EMS sirens were right down the road but he kept going. He had to help her.

Next thing he knew she was hoisted up into the ambulence van and the doors shut in front of him.

"Why did this have to happen to us?" He screamed over the emergency vehicles motors, his hands up in the air in question.