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Atticus took a shallow breath and clutched his side tighter. He opened his blue eyes hazily and weakly... "Heather...?" he croaked, wanting to see her.

Heather clutched his hand, she needed to be strong for him, "It's okay, babe. I called the police, they're on their way." She said smoothly, running a hand over his cheek and feeling tears fall from her eyes.

He took another shallow breath, her words meant little. He knew how the police where, they would come when ready. He took a shakey hand and whiped away some of the tears from her face, then he held his hand on her soft tear-stained cheek. "Heather..." he coughed, then swallowed painfully. "...D-don't you cry over me, babe..." he mummbled, smiling weakly.

Heather's lips were parted and she drew them into a half smile half frown, trying to show Atticus that she was being strong, but she was falling apart. "But your hurt..." He voice cracked and she pressed his palm harder into her face.

Atticus's eyes fluttered as he fought to stay awake. He watched as she faked the appearance of strength, and he swallowed when she pressed his palm more one her face. When she spoke, he replies hoarsly "...Better me than...you..." he struggled to wheeze. He had protected heather. If he hadn't stepped in, she would've gotten hurt.

Heather shook her head, what was taking the police so long? "No...Not better you than me...Never..." She said, her stomach clenching and her heart aching, sirens grew in the distance and Heather smiled weakly with relief.

Atticus heard the sirens, but he didn't care: "Heather... It is better this way... I couldn't stand to loose...you..." his vision became dimmer, and his hand fell from her cheek and landed limply in the dirt. "...I'll always love you Heather.." he whispered, with a pale blue gaze, he fought... just a bit longer to stay awake, wanting to hear her soft voice once more.

Heather shook her head, her eyes filled with tears, her lips pulled into a taut frown, "I can't live without you... I can't...Don't leave me...Please... Don't go..." She whimpered as the ambulance down the street. 4 men flooded out of the car and jogged towards her, a gurney in hands.

Atticus knew then that he wasn't going like this. He wouldn't... No, he couldn't, leave Heather. Before he could speak the paramedics arrived and loaded him into the ambulance.

At the hospital...

They had taken Atticus to the ICU and told Heather to stay in the waiting room. After a few hours a dark, grey haired Docter came out to Heather.

Heather sat in the waiting room, her head in her hands. She shot up when the doctor came up to her and looked at him with wary and tired eyes.

"How's Atticus?" She asked frantically.

"Honestly not to good, we're doing all we can.. He just lost too much blood... There's not much more we can do..." the doctor sighed.

"W-What do you mean? D-Does he need more blood? I could give him mine!" Heather said, she knew she was A+ but maybe Atticus was as well. She couldn't loose him, she couldn't.

The doctor shook his head, "If the body looses blood too much blood, too fast... serious issues can arise. It has nothing to do with needing more blood." the doctor said softly, looking at the girl with sympathy.

"So what does that mean? Is he going to die?!" Heather practically yelled, her voice rising several octaves higher.

"Not nessisarily.. but I won't lie... Chances of his survival are very low.." he sighed, keeping a calm, compassionate tone, even though his ears where hurting.