You sit there with me as darkness washes over us. He approaches us and says, "Sweetheart, you really are an idiot. Who do you think got the footage in the first place?"

She slaps my face with a video camera and laughs as I wince. He laughs with her as you whisper, "What do we do now?"

"I don't know," I mumble out in pain.

"Secrets don't make friends," he states.

The sand starts to separate us as she holds on to you and kisses you. He starts to kick me, hit me, and emotionally taunt me.

"You're not good enough to be here. Go away you loser."

"He is way out of your league."

A punch knocks me out, and I fall through the sand into a mosaic of glass. The panel looks like the Syracuse Crunch logo. I open my eyes and an unfamiliar voice starts to speak to me.

"You're our only hope. Stop them before it's too late."

-----------------------

(Kristina's P.O.V.)

My eyes open with a jolt and I look across the room. Shannon is out like a light and I can hear Evelyna sleeptalking. It is 4:22 AM, and the dream haunts me still. Matt is in real danger because of them, and I won't let them hurt him!

The pain starts to radiate through my face once again, and I try not to scream out. I barely shake my sister awake, and she flips on the light in the room and grabs some facial cream, a cup of water, and some medicines for me to take.

She sleepily asks, "Are you okay?"

"Nightmare," I muffle out.

Something cool touches my face and she says, "This is cold, but it will help the pain a lot. How do your wrists feel?"

"Everything hurts!"

She nods, "They said that could happen. I'm going to give you your stronger pain meds. I knew that the other meds wouldn't last long."

She sticks a straw in my mouth and I take a sip of water. I hold the water, put the pills in my mouth, and I swallow them. Sleep only takes a few minutes to reach me. I greet the darkness as if we were old acquaintances.

She pulls you away from me, and I immediately glare at her, "Why do you constantly harass her?"

"A revolution started because of her. It needs to be stopped immediately. You're only the beginning."

I am in a chair with her in a metal room. A helmet lowers onto my head. She starts out, "Saynora, and I hope she learns her lesson."

Electricity pulses through me and I close my eyes one last time. Ocean blue ones haunt me as I see your smile.

-------------------------------------------

(Matt's P.O.V.)

"Matt! Wake up!" Tye shouts at me.

I open my eyes and take a deep breath in, "I'm okay?"

"Duh, Matty. Ready for Bolts Fest Day 2?"

I nod, "Two days down, one to go."

We start to get ready and head on over to Amalie Arena. The guys are happy to see us along with some of their other prospects. Vladdy looks at me and asks, "Is she okay?"

"Yeah. She's a trooper," I reply.

We hear the announcement that fans are starting to come into the arena for the festivities. Today's theme is just to show your support for the Lightning organization. No true theme, but it does show how much the community supports us. I keep looking around in the crowd for her eyes, just to get some reassurance that she's okay, but she isn't present at all. I finally stand towards the zamboni and wait for her to show up.

Is she injured that bad?

Fans start to interact with me, ask me for autographs, pictures, normal stuff. A woman who is the thirteenth fan to approach looks familiar, but not in a good way.

"Hi there, what is your name?"

She flips her light brown hair and answers, "My name is Brittany. Can you please sign my ticket?"

I reply, "Of course! Do you want a picture as well?"

She nods, and I comply with her wishes. She walks away with an evil smirk on her face, but rushes back and blurts out, "I almost forgot! Sorry about the fan incident yesterday, some fans are just too crazy! Hope that girl feels better."

"I'll have to tell her that, thank you."

"No problem Matty! Bye!"

The fans start to decrease around me and it allows me to think a little bit.

Is Brittany one of the people who hurts my girl on a constant basis? If that's the case, we've got some issues then. Who knows though? It is only halfway through the day as I continue to wander around Amalie. I run into a familiar blondie and strike up a conversation with him once again.

"Hey, Vladdy. How was your 'outing' last night?"

Vladdy rolls his eyes, "Better than yours, Matty. Evelyna, she's amazing! We have so much in common and I think this one is going to last."

"That's good. Did she give you any updates on her friend's condition?"

"Nope. Have you heard anything?"

I sigh, "No. I hope that she's okay though."

"We all do. I've gotta go find Kuch, it's my turn to watch him today."

Vladdy dashes off towards the locker room as I head the opposite direction towards the rink. The crowds ebb and flow and I continue to keep wandering. Not many fans recognize me, but they will one day.

It still felt nice when she was holding my hand.

I sigh as that thought dances through my head as someone taps me on the shoulder.

I see ocean blue, "Kristina?"

She nods as I ask, "I thought you were supposed to be relaxing......."

Her right index finger touches my mouth and I quiet immediately. She pulls out her phone and sends me a message.

Kristina: I can't really speak much (it will unfortunately be like this for a few days), but I want to say thank you for everything.

Matt: I didn't do much.

Kristina: That's not true. You took care of me when we've only known each other for three days.

Matt: Yeah.

I look at her eyes as she gazes across the crowd. She dashes off all of the sudden towards a game station. She starts to wait in line for the game, which is the fastest shot competition. I follow her and ask, "Do you want to risk this with your wrists?"

She types on her phone and a message pops through on mine a few seconds later.

Kristina: What do I have to lose?

I laugh a little bit as we slowly start to get closer to the end of the line. She starts to bounce a little bit to settle herself down a little bit. As we get to the actual station, she takes a right handed stick in her hand and she almost has perfect form. Her wrists prevent her from fully gripping the stick but she makes the best of it and her shot clocks in at 32 MPH. Not too bad, if I can say so myself.

The attendant hands me a left handed stick, and I set up for a slapshot into the net. I score in the top right hand corner of the net, and my shot clocks in at 92 MPH. Everyone in line starts to applaud me and I slightly wave. The Tampa Bay Lightning, even though today's theme is all about supporting the Bolts, decide to bring in other aspects of the community as well. There are all different stations set up with various equipment for random skill competitions in different sports.

Kristina is already in line for a game on the turf. This station involves a three on two drill with these long sticks and a rubber ball. The three are on offense and the other two are on defense. The 'players' swap positions after a minute of play and one person exits the field. Overall, this station is probably one of the hardest, but I see some blue jerseys in the line as well.

"Pally, what is this sport?" Kuch whines.

Ondrej Palat replies, "I don't know Kuch. Vladdy said he would meet us here so I can rest for a few."

Kuch sighs, "Okay. I wanna play cool sport with you though!"

"You will Kuch. Calm down," Pally replies.

Kristina watches the two of them and tries to smile a little bit as she watches them discuss this sport. As we move up in line, I ask her, "Have you played this sport before?"

She nods and looks towards the stick Kuch grabs as he steps on the field. The crowd cheers and Pally passes the ball to Kuch, who drops it. It turns into a hockey game almost as they try to battle the other three fans for the ground ball. The whistle blows as a fan exits the field. Kristina steps in and grabs a light blue stick and sets herself up as if she is a natural.

Her sister, odd enough, is on defense with her as Pally, Kuch, and Brayden set up their play in order to try to score. Kristina looks over at her sister and she nods back at her and says, "Ready sis?"

Even though it hurts, she yells out, "I'm ready! Let's go!"

The play starts with Brayden holding the ball and Shannon states out, "I've got ball, got ball," over and over again.

Kristina replies, "I've got two!"

For someone who just went through surgery less than a day ago, she looks good defending. Brayden passes the ball to Pally, and Pally quickly passes it to Kuch. Kristina doesn't give an edge as she begins to say, "I've got ball! Sam, got two I got ball!"

The minute runs out and the two sisters high five as Brayden exits the field and Shannon steps up to play offense. I grab a red stick and run over to Kristina, "What's the game plan?"

"Defend the net, got it memorized?" she replies.

"I thought you couldn't talk?"

The whistle blows as the ball is passed to Shannon and Tina starts barking, "I've got ball! Matt, got two I've got ball!"

Her sister drops the ball in panic but Tina capitalizes and scoops the ground ball up and shoots it towards the opposing net. Her shot goes into the top left corner of the net and she pumps her fist a little bit in excitement.

"Damn you Dean! Why'd you have to scare me like that?"

"You stepped onto my turf not knowing what to expect. Learn your lesson?"

Her sister sighs as she steps off the field, "I know, good luck on attack. You've got this!"

I slide over to defend her and that Brittany girl is next in line. Mentally, I groan as she grabs a neon green stick two sizes too small for her. She has no chance against Tina as the play begins. Kristina knows that I will be the main contender for her to pass, and she does so successfully with a dodge around me. However, Brittany checks Kristina into the barricade and play halts dead as soon as the play happens.

Kristina is slow to get up, but she asks the attendant there, "I still had the ball right?"

The attendant laughs and says, "I believe you did. Good recovery."

Kristina laughs and gets up and sets up to play once again. We start the game over again, this time with a new person helping me on defense. Pally starts off with the ball and he passes it to Kuch. Kristina pretends to rush in towards the net and shoot, but I follow her anyways. Kuch has a clear shot and he scores immediately as soon as I'm out of the play. Kuch celebrates and says, "I got it in!"

Kristina blurts out, "Yeah you did! Way to go!"

Pally exits the playing field and I move up to attack with Kristina. Kuch and I flank her as her wingers as she gets the ball and drives straight to net. She fakes a shot and ends up passing it to me as she draws the defender out and I end up scoring.

"That's how we roll!" I yell out as we celebrate.

Kuch stands near Pally as (odd enough) Vladdy swings up and joins our line. A woman with red hair steps onto the turf, and Tina chirps, "Looks like 'Team Fangirls' is facing off again, huh?"

"Yeah, I'll show you the spirit of Tampa though!"

"Facing off against your favorite player though Eves, something only DT could do."

The whistle blows and immediately the woman, Evelyna, is on Kristina. Kristina backs out with the ball and passes it towards Vladdy. Vladdy catches it and passes it to me. I pass the ball to Kristina and she catches it over the shoulder and scores with an interesting backhand.

"WOOOOOO!" Tina yells out as she exits the field.

I am on a line with Vladdy and the replacement for Brittany. Kristina is standing near the fence with her sister watching as the play begins. Vladdy starts off with the ball and he passes it to the fan. The fan, thank goodness it wasn't Brittany, passes it back to Vladdy. He misses the ball and a war begins for the ground ball.

"Get the end of the stick down! Come on!" Tina says.

I come out of the battle with the ball and drive towards the net and score. I exit the field quickly and reunite with Kristina.

"What happened to this 'no talking' thing?" I ask her.

"The pain meds kicked in. It'll come back to bite me later, but that's why I have more of them," she replies.

She watches and starts to make notes to herself by mumbling stuff about the plays that unfold until her friend Evelyna comes out. The six of us (Brayden, Shannon, Evelyna, Vladdy, Kristina, and I) all leave the area and start to go our separate ways. Kristina follows me all the way until a sign says, 'Players and Employees Only'.

"This is goodbye?" she asks me.

I smile and I wink, "For now. I'll see you in a bit."

She smiles and walks away slowly towards the dwindling crowd. It's weird how she doesn't completely freak out in that environment even though she's been through a lot in the past couple of days.

I don't know how I can live without her in my life.

-------------

(Kristina's P.O.V.)

As soon as I leave Matt, the pain starts to shoot through my face. What I didn't tell him is that the girl who tackled me to the ground elbowed me right in the face. I need to stay strong, especially on the lacrosse field. I dig through my pockets and grab my phone. NHL Fans 365 is still blowing up my phone.

Fabs: And that's why the Sabres are SAWFT.

Adam: LOL.

Me: Hi everyone from Day 2 of Bolts Fest!

Brit: OMG I'm there as well!

Shannon: No way!

Brit: I'm sorry I tripped you at the lacrosse station. I didn't mean to.

Me: It's okay. I'm still standing tall, even though I can't feel my face.

Bobby: Wait, your face is broken.

Me: Didn't you see the picture from yesterday?

Bobby: Yeah. It didn't look too bad.

Me: That was before surgery. And I'm still playing lacrosse the next day.

Shannon: Slay Tina slay.

Brit: Jeez, my bad.

Me: It's all good.

I turn my phone on silent because everyone is annoying me. I can't believe Brit is here in Tampa. At Bolts Fest, conveniently. She sends a photo as I completely turn it on silence, and she is smiling with....Matt.

My mouth runs dry. It looks like Matt is enjoying her presence, but maybe he is putting on a show for her. Lying almost, but who knows? My face turns red, but I just reply to the chat simply.

Me: Matt looks fabulous though.

I silence my phone as I continue to wander through Amalie. I make my way back to the Tampa Bay Sports Store to actually look around this time. Hopefully no one trips me this time.

They have every spectrum of the Lightning covered including the Crunch. I spot a Syracuse Crunch backpack and I grab it to look at the price tag. It was fifty percent off, and it was huge! I rush up to the cash register and hand them the backpack. I quickly pay and run off with the new Crunch backpack on me.

I finally could place my phone and wallet in one place. I find a bench right outside of the store and find my phone, wallet, and hotel room keys and place them inside. Sure, the backpack is something so insignificant, but it means the world to me. I decide to go back to the hotel room and relax the rest of the day.

After exiting Amalie Arena and entering Thunder Alley, I smile as I walk away. I didn't fall, didn't end up at a hospital, didn't get hurt too badly, I survived. The walk back over to the hotel room was brief, but the clouds would tell another tale. Storms start to roll in on the quiet city, and they definitely describe my mood right now. I just don't want Brittany ruining this vacation any more. Is that so hard to wish for?

Apparently, it is a hard wish to ask for. I arrive at Room 5544 but I hear a voice. Her voice to be exact, "We're roomies?"

"No. We are not roommates, Brittany. Hall mates.......maybe. Evelyna is next door and a few of my pals are across the hall."

She sighs and huffs, "Fine. Just watch your back. We will return."

She enters Room 5536 and I sigh, "Why me?"

I unlock the room and enter it. Shannon is in there and she waves at me.

"You won't believe who I ran into," I tell her.

"Who?" she replies.

"Brittany. She's in Room 5536. I don't get it. She tripped me on purpose today and now she's in the same hotel as me. I'm through with her."

I sit down on my bed as Shannon starts to apply the cold cream to my face, "You'll be alright. Let's get the meds inside of you okay? Then we'll go from there."

I nod as she hands me a cup of fruit punch with a straw to take these meds with. I take a sip and swallow those medicines. After I take a few more sips, I ask her, "How's Brayden?"

She giggles, "He's fine. Cute as always. Nice backpack."

I look at my back, "Forgot that was there. Let me take that off, huh?"

I take the Syracuse Crunch backpack off my back and lay it next to me. Shannon looks at it and asks, "Aren't you going to name it?"

"Cruncher. That's the name."

She smiles, "Good one! I like it."

I smile a little bit and decide to doze off for a while, "Goodnight Shannon. Goodnight Cruncher."

-----------------------

"Save who?" I reply.

I see you, your team, everyone on this journey so far as the voice replies, "Them. We need you."

I open my eyes as I stare him down as the sandstorm whips around me. He stands there and says, "I win."

"Not if I can have a say in it!" I yell as I punch him. He falls to the ground and I dash towards a gray building with windows that dance with blue electricity. I enter the stairwell as I hear your screams.

I run up the stairs and I finally see her torturing you. Shocking you to death and I see your eyes close one last time.

I reach out for you as your body collapses, "Matt, I love you."

Cold as ice you are, all because of them. She laughs and smiles at me, "You thought you could save him? Child, he's mine now."

"You killed him Brittany! How could you?"

I rush up to her and she just stands there and smirks, "It's all a part of a bigger plan. One day you'll see the light and join Bobby and me."

I punch her, "Never! You broke Matt!"

You look at me and whisper, "I'm okay. I'm here still."

She punches me as I reply, "What?"

Bobby walks in, "Didn't know my impression of Matty was so good."

I reply, "You son of a bit...."

Before I could finish up my sentence, Brittany slaps me knocking me out cold.

I wake up and I feel you near me. We're tied up back to back, in the middle of the ice. They look down at us, and stare.

Bobby blurts out, "The two lovers are so cute. Especially when it's time to kill them both."

I turn my head just enough to see your eyelids flutter open, "You're alive?"

You whisper, "Barely."

"I'll take it, Matt."

Brittany starts to laugh, "Oh sweetheart, love's not for you or Matt. Only Bobby and I can rule the world. With you two not in it."

BANG! I move Matt and I out of the way as a bullet grazes the ropes just enough for us to dart off the ice. I drag Matt because I would never let him go again. He's mine.

"Don't just stand there, get them!" Brittany yells to Bobby.

Matt gets up and keeps up as we manage to run out of the arena safe and sound. We breathe a sigh of relief, until we see that we aren't in Tampa anymore.

We are at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. How'd we end up here is beyond my reach. We run towards the Buffalo River and jump in the freezing water and swim towards the shore. Matt starts to drown behind me and I reach over and grab his hand and drag him towards the shore. Immediately, my eyes lock on a small house that looks like a house from the Civil War.  

It is rustic, small, elegant, but dark at the same time. Brittany waves her hand out the window and she says, "Thought we couldn't find you, huh sweetheart?"

"Leave me alone!"

Bobby knocks me out cold with something metal to the back of my head. I feel mud splash the tips of my fingers and grass attaching to my hair.

I feel wood underneath my body next and the roar of the Buffalo River.

Brittany taunts me by saying, "Funny when you're dead how people start listenin...."

The cold attacks me instantly as I sink deeper and deeper. A single tear slips down my face as I only wish to see your hazel-blue eyes again. I feel my hands touch the surface air one last time before I am down under for good.

I shut my eyes for the last time. I hear you yell, "No! This isn't goodbye Kristina!"

My only thought is that I guess I had enough time to get to know you Matt. I'll love you more than you'll ever know.

------------------

(Matt's P.O.V.)

I shoot up out of my bed, open the hotel room door, and run over to her room. She opens the door before I could even knock and we blurt out at the same time, "Are you okay?"

We both sigh as she says, "Weird dreams lately?"

"I thought you were gone Kristina. You scared me!"

"I thought you were a goner as well Matt!"

We both sigh as I say, "Good night then?"

She nods, "Hope you have better dreams Matt. I probably won't be at Bolts Fest until later on today if at all. Yesterday's events wore me out."

I kiss her forehead (which makes her whole face turn red) and say, "I'll see you afterwards then?"

She wraps her arms around me, "I promise."

-------------