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Atlas opened the door of the dingy motel with the intent to slip way quietly. Austin had other ideas. The rapid sound of gunfire and breaking glass met the fox's ears as he turned to see his friend blowing holes through everything inside the room. A look of wild pleasure spread across his face as he ripped through drywall and Sheetrock. Atlas sighed and grabbed the wolf by the arm, dragging him outside; taking the gun, he discarded it down the back alley. They needed to leave fast. The sound of squeezing tires and a jacked engine woke whoever was still sleeping after the gunfire.

The first thing on the list was to eat, Atlas understood his friend's mental disability better than most. He was certain that the Austin's calorie deprived brain would function way better after he had eaten. Not perfectly, but better. All thoughts of eating were wiped away moments later as he saw cops surrounding the only eatery in town. They had found Austin's stolen car; now it was really time to go. Pushing well beyond the speed limit was his preferred method of getting to the next town as soon as possible, it was also Austin's referred method, the only difference being Austin deployed it 24/7. The wolf shifted uncomfortably in his seat. They continued driving for another half hour. Eventually he asked where they were doing. Atlas rolled his eyes. The second thing on his list: get Austin's priorities straight. Certainly harder without food, but not impossible. He couldn't have a crazed vigilante running around, his knowledge and skills were dangerous in the wrong hands. At the same time, Atlas wasn't able to keep tabs on him day in and day out. The only option was to make Austin keep tabs on himself. Easier said then done.

Austin pressed the question again.

The fox gripped the steering wheel, "do you have a gun?" he asked.

"No."

"Good. I'm taking you to see your girlfriend."

"What the fuck dude! We agreed not to do this!" His fists pounded into the dashboard in anger. If he had a gun, Atlas was sure he would have gotten shot.

"She's not going to hate you."

"How do you know?"

"She's still in a coma."

The wolf was silent for a few minutes, "you told me she was alright."

"I lied. I thought it would make you go back. I'm sorry."

"I don't want to be friends with you anymore."

"I'm sorry. The past is in the past, we need to do this now."

"Why?"

"Because, Austin, I care about you."

"You don't give a shit! You lied to me!"

"Look, I don't expect you to understand. I'm doing what I think is best for you. You're letting your life slip away."

"It's my life."

"And it's too good to throw it away."

FOUR YEARS PRIOR

A bright orange Mustang Mach 1. The best car in the world, or so Austin thought at the time. Fresh out of college, in the best relationship of his life; and after signing that record deal his life had hit an all time high. He cruised down the interstate with her by his side. A stark white wolf.

"Hey Evelyn," he tuned the radio down, "guess what."

"Hm?"

"I just signed the record deal."

She cheered loudly for him and hugged him tightly, he smiled, a smile that lingered for more then long enough. He cranked the radio and the two of them sang along to the cheesy country lyrics as they headed to her parents house. They had graciously let him stay there for the past couple years as he had nowhere to go, and no parents to help him out. The next oasis came up on the right, and he brought the car to a stop in front of a Seven-Eleven where they both walked in. He loved the way she leaned into him, as they walked down by the freezers. There were many things he loved about her. It was a passionate and consuming love, never dying, never questioned. She caught him staring and he looked away shyly. Turning to face him, she draped her arms around him and kissed him. They stood there in the freezer section of a minimart making out, carelessly loving each other.

They got off the highway later that evening, eating cheap gas-station ice cream. Cookie dough for Austin, and vanilla for Evelyn. The headlights flickered and the engine surged, but he ignored it and kicked it onto high gear. The two of them laughed as they ripped through the neighborhood town. He slammed on the breaks at the next stop sign six blocks away and sat for a moment as they both came down from their adrenaline rush. He felt her hand on his arm, "let's do it again," she said grinning. The engine lurched and stalled. It turned over again a moment later, and he eyed the gauges dubiously, they all seemed fine. He slammed the pedal and power shifted it through the rest of the gears, the engine groaned and shook a bit, but the pair were too lost in their own exhilaration to care. The darkened road veered right unexpectedly, and Austin lost control of the vehicle. Time almost slowed, the tree appeared in his line of sight on the right and he tried to avoid it. Her hands on his arm squeezed as she covered her eyes. Glass broke, metal screeched, and the sent of blood reached his nose.

Austin regained conscience, he didn't know how much time had passed, or where he was, all he knew at the moment was the pain in his head. He reached up gingerly and felt the top of his head. His eyes widened and he withdrew his hands quickly, a large shard of steel was lodged deep into his skull, and it was bleeding profusely. The wolf couldn't think, didn't know what to do. Then he looked over, and he all but died.

The phone rang.

"Mr. Bensen?" He asked shakily.

"Austin, hey buddy!" The voice floated over the receiver, cheerful, but not for long.

"Mr. Bensen, I..."

"Yeah!"

"Me and Evelyn got in an accident, I need help, she needs help."

The line was silent for a moment, "oh my god...don't just stand there! Do something! Call an ambulance!"

But he couldn't. He stood there. Crying.

Shortly after that accident, the doctors showed up. He awoke in the hospital, they explained something to him about permanent severe brain damage, but all he could think about was her. He got there and her dad stood up. Austin expected a hug, but he got a broken jaw instead.

"This is all your fault," the elder wolf cried out. "She didn't get medical attention fast enough! If she never was with you in the first place none of this would have happened."

His words stung more then the fist. He fought back tears.

"Stay away from my daughter. She's in a coma because of you."

PRESENT TIME

Austin sat in the passenger side of his friends Jeep. Tears made their way down his face as he struggled to forget the memories. Now he had to go back and face it all over again. Atlas pulled into the parking lot of the care facility she was being held in. He took his friend by the hand and helped him out of the Jeep. Her parents visited every day, but the fox knew they wouldn't be in now. The two of them walked in and stepped up to the receptionist.

"Hello," Atlas greeted, "we're looking for an Evelyn Bensen?"

"Are you family?" She asked.

"Close friends."

She looked through her files for a moment, "okay boys, right this way."

Austin trailed behind the other two, dreading what he was going to see. All too soon he stood in the doorway, looking at the love of his life, lying in a coma for four years. She looked just as beautiful as ever. He broke down.

"Why did you take me here?"

"You need purpose."

"I need her."

"She can be helped. The treatments are to costly for the Bensens."

"What am I to do?"

"There are people who will pay good money for your skills, for the things you know."

"How much do I need to raise?"

"1.5 million."

"What do I need to do?"