"Yeah, but they're great fun aren`t they." Christian replied
"Especially when something goes wrong!" Paul said looking directly at Mark.
They all started laughing. "Ok, ok," Mark replied, "So I played a wrong note which was so obvious you all lost the harmony and the song turned into a complete mess. So what?"
Before the others could answer, they heard a scream coming from up ahead."What the hell....?" Mark said as they all raced towards the sound.
His many days spent working out meant he soon pulled ahead of the other three. When he turned the corner he saw a man threatening a girl with a knife.
"Now, now sweetheart," he was saying to her "Don`t scream like that again. Do as I say or Mr Knifey will end up somewhere in your pretty body."
Without thinking Mark called out "Leave her alone."
The man turned slowly towards him and smiled evilly. "Ok," he said.
With that he came charging at Mark, knife held high. Mark did the only thing he could, fight. As the two men battled it out, the girl turned and fled almost banging into the other three as they arrived.
"Oh my god, Mark!" Ben yelled.
Hearing his name Mark glanced up. His attacker, sensing his opponent was distracted, took advantage in the only way he could by stabbing Mark in the abdomen.
Crying out in the sudden pain, Mark collapsed to the floor. As the other three raced towards the injured Mark his attacker turned and ran.
When they reached Mark, Ben quickly took charge. "Paul, call 999 on your mobile, NOW!" he shouted at Paul
"Chris, help me find something to stop the bleeding!" Christian simply ripped the sleeve of his shirt and gave it to Ben who quickly pressed it on the wound.
In seconds the cloth and Bens hand were covered in blood. Marks breathing became shallower.
"Stick with me Mark, stick with me," Ben said "Just until the ambulance arrives, then we'll get you sorted out!"
"Ben!" Paul shouted "The ambulance is on its way!"
"Did you hear that Mark? Mark? MARK!" Ben shouted. It was too late, Mark had slipped into unconsciousness.
Finally Ben broke it, "I`m gonna ask the doctor what's going on. I can`t just sit here and do nothing."
"Ben, you know they can`t tell us too much, we're not technically next of kin." Paul tried to explain
"I don`t care, He`s LIKE a brother to us!" with that he walked out of the room.
He saw the doctor talking to a policeman further down the corridor. Unwilling to butt in he just crept close enough to hear the conversation
"Dr Franco," the policeman said
"Have you any idea when Mr Read will regain consciousness as we really need his witness statement."
"To tell you the truth officer, I think you could change what his attacker has done from GBH." the doctor replied
"Oh yeah, to what?"
"Murder."
As the reality of what the doctor had said hit home Ben ran back to Marks ward.
"Whats going on?" Paul asked.
The look on Ben's face told him all he needed to know.
The next few hours passed in a blur.
The only sound was the `bleep bleep` of the heart monitor.
Suddenly the beep changed to a constant whine.
"DOCTOR!!!!" Ben yelled, within seconds the room was full of people.
One of the nursing staff told them to wait outside. Once they were out there Ben tried to think positively.
After all, he was no expert on these things, Mark might be ok. But deep down, Ben knew what that sound meant.
A man came out of the door to Mark's ward. They all looked at him expectantly.
"I`m very sorry," he said "But he lost too much blood."
Christian and Paul both whispered "No!" and a tear trickled down Ben's cheek.
The doctor continued,
"I'm afraid Mr. Read is dead"