I hope I didn't make any of you cry last chapter. I'm still trying to decide if I should kill off John and Pidge or not. If I did, I'd have over six thousand people yelling at me and begging me to bring them back. If I didn't, this would end up like every other story out there. I guess I'll let you guys decide. For now, back to the story. -S Edit: (I'm at the library with my father, so he isn't suspicious.)

     *Third Person POV*

     After a few more minutes of waiting, the ambulance came and took John to the hospital. Alexander had insisted on going with them, but the others had to stay behind. Before he had left, he took off his hoodie and handed it to Peggy. "It might come in handy." He had murmured before leaving.

     Peggy was now kneeling over Pidge and was studying her closely while Maria and Herc gave her hugs from both sides. Through the tears that blurred her vision, she realized Pidge was still breathing. She quickly, but carefully, took Pidge in Alexander's hoodie and wrapped it around her tightly. "Pidge is still alive." She said, her voice tight with pain.

     "Thank you, Alex," She whispered, her tears falling more freely. She began to stand up again when Laf and Angelica returned and flopped onto the floor.

"Eliza is-" Laf began, his voice hoarse from crying, but Angelica cut him off.

     "We chased Eliza down the road when the police caught up with us. They told us to leave this to the "experts" and go back. They said they'd give us the details once they catch her." She explained, gritting her teeth in annoyance and to stop herself from breaking down in front of the others.

      Peggy bowed her head for a moment before heading to the entrance. Maria volunteered to go with her to the emergency hospital for animals while the others headed to the hospital. As they exited the warehouse, Peggy suddenly realized that she didn't know how to get there from here.

     Just a few moments later, a pair of black and white felines popped out of the warehouse and padded up to them. The smaller of the two prodded Peggy's leg with a paw and pointed at Pidge before pointing down the road. Maria cocked her head in confusion, but Peggy started heading down the road.

     After walking for about ten minutes, they came to the entrance to the animal hospital. The cats, who were keeping pace with the girls, dipped their heads before padding into the night. "Animals never cease to amaze me." The girls murmured in unison before going in and showing Pidge to the receptionist. A couple nurses quickly came out and took Pidge to the examination room while Maria and Peggy waited in the reception room. They both held onto each other as they let their tears flow, not knowing whether John or Pidge would make it out of their ordeals alive.

     Alexander's POV

     I sat in the waiting room of the hospital, completely unaware of everything going on around me. Everyone I've ever loved dearly had either died or left me, and the same thing has happened here. Will John live? Will Pidge live? What happened to Elizabeth? Would things be different if I was with her? Will I ever be able to forgive her? These questions raced in my head when a hand suddenly touched my shoulder. I jumped and opened my eyes to see Angelica, Herc, and Laf sitting beside me. I felt tears well up in my eyes again, but I blinked them away. I didn't want to look weak in front of them.

     Herc engulfed me in a hug while Angelica sat staring into space. Laf was muttering things under his breath and fiddled his thumbs. I closed my eyes for what seemed like a few seconds and when I opened them again, a doctor had just walked out and came up to us. "Are you here for John Laurens?" He asked, tapping his clipboard with a pen. I opened my mouth to reply, but no words came.

"Yes," Angelica replied for me, her voice cracking slightly.

     "Well, he was shot in in his chest twice, both bullets inches from his heart, and once in his neck. I'm surprised he even made it here alive. But, he is undergoing surgery to remove them and has about a forty-five percent chance of surviving. And even if he does, he may be in a coma for a while, so don't get your hopes up." As he finished, he glanced at his clipboard once more before walking back to where he had come from.

     I felt completely numb and it took a few minutes for me to process everything he had said. "John's going to die and it'll be all my fault." I whispered, bringing my legs to my chest and hugging them tightly.

"It isn't your fault," Angelica said sternly. "It's Eliza's for being blind. And I know John, he's strong and won't go down without a fight."

 "Yes," Laf piped up. "John was, and still is, one of my first and closest friends. He won't go down, especially knowing he's fighting to stay alive for you, Alexander." I nodded, eternally grateful I had such great friends like them.

     John's POV

     I opened my eyes to find myself floating in a void of darkness. No matter where I looked, all I could see was darkness in all directions. "A-am I dead?!" I squeaked. Suddenly, a faint white light glowed from far away. I felt like I was placed on the ground, even though it wasn't visible. I began running towards the light. After what felt like ages, the light still wasn't any closer. I ran harder and faster, but the light still didn't get any closer. Am I ever going to make it over there? I sighed in defeat before sitting down on nothingness.

    "I'll be willing to fight for you until my dying breath." Alexander's voice rang in my ears. Gritting my teeth, I got back up and began making a mad dash for the light. Alex was willing to fight for me, as I him. I will see Alex again!

    The light got steadily closer, but I didn't slow down. As the light came closer, I realized that it was coming from two white doors. I skidded to a stop between them. I glanced from one door to the other and back again. "Now what do I do." I breathed, knowing no one could hear me. I sat between both doors in thought, trying to figure out which was the right one. Or rather, which would lead me to Alex.

     Hi, guys! I know I said this book was on hold for a while, but I was at the library and my mother wasn't with me. Besides, this chapter was almost done anyway. Just because I updated today doesn't mean this book is not on hold anymore. The same goes with all my other books. Until I can get onto a computer without my mother noticing me writing, all my books are on hold. If I can get onto a computer or tablet, I'll update right away. I'm really sorry I haven't been active lately, but I'm grateful that I was able to come to the library without my suspicious mother. Sorry for the long note, but, thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! -S