I walk to a café, and when I open the door a little bell jingles. I look up to see an old, little bell just barley intercepting the door. I look away and sit down on a stool near the café bar.

"Can I get you somthin'?" A man asks.

I glance up at the bar tender. He is about his mid thirty's, he's big around the middle but normal I guess. The shaded area on his face means he must've shaved this morning.

He's wearing a little white hat that you would normally see on a vender or deli worker's head, if you want to picture it that way, a white apron with a coffee stain on it.

"Italian cream latté please," I say to him.

"Got it."

He goes and starts to make it. I put my elbow on the bar and place my head in my hand.

"You look like you've had a rough day."

"Yeah," I sigh.

He notices the nine millimeter in the holster, and the badge connected to the gun belt I'm wearing.

"You a cop?"

"Yeah."

"Did ya hear what happened to Monty?"

"Yeah," I say looking at him. "Shot while in the S.W.A.T. team that was storming a drug dealer's house."

"Yeah," he sighs. "To bad too, he was a great guy."

"Yeah."

He looks at me.

"Ya know you can put that coat over there on the hanger near the door right?"

"Yeah I know, but no thanks."

He obviously means the coat that you would normally see on cowboys but only mines soaked.

He places a stiraphome cup with a white lid, with smoke coming out of a small rounded rectangular hole, on the bar.

"Here," he says gently. "It's on the house."

"Thank you." I reply. I didn't want to have it free. I am very happy to pay the man the money that he should earn.

I take it and have a little sip testing how hot it really is.

"How old are you?" He asks suddenly.

"Nineteen."

"And you're a cop?!" He gasps shocked. "Get outta here."

"I'm serious." I say not even trying to smile.

"Pretty impressive kid." He says nodding. "What rank?"

"Second in command."

'Come on! Shut up and leave me alone already.'

His jaw drops.

I notice this and I'm starting to get a little annoyed.

"So I'm the best. Big deal."

"Yeah, well prove it." He says quickly. "Here comes some roughians."

I act like a normal citizen.

Sure enough the bell chimes and I hear the door shut. I look over my shoulder at two men. Both wore a ski mask, a hoody, sagging jeans, and tennis shoes.

"Hey boys," The bartender says nervously. "What can I do for ya?"

The taller of the two pulled out a gun.

"Hey boys!" He stutters. "N-no n-need for t-that i-i-is th-there?"

"Shut up!" The tallest one growls.

By the depth of his voice I'd say that he is about twenty-five.

"Give us your money." The smaller one then says. He's about nineteen.

I look over at them and the taller one spots me.

I turn my head away as if they weren't even there.

He walks over to me.

"Get up." He orders.

I ignore him and take another drink of my late.

He gets madder and slaps it out of my hand.

The cup rolls on the floor and the late spread slowly around. I stare at it then at the man.

"I wasn't finished with that."

"You are now!" He growls again. "Now get up."

I look away.

He raises the handle of his gun and slams in on my head. I hit the floor on top of the coffee spill.

"I said 'Get up'!"

I pull my self to my feet and stand there.

"Give me your money."

"I don't have any. I spent the last of it on that latte you made me spill. Such a waste of very good money."

"Shut up!" He snaps.

He hits me again. I step back from the recoil but then step forward.

"Give me something of value." He growls again.

"I don't have anything."

"Spare me that trash." He snaps again. He spots my ring on my finger.

"I'll have that ring."

"I'm afraid you can't"

"And why exactly not?"

"Because..." I glance at him. "It is cursed."

He stares at me.

"That's a lie." He snaps finally. "There's no such thing as curses."

I chuckle.

"Exactly what I said..."

He stares at me.

"Until I put on the wretched thing."

He raises his gun.

"G-give it to me."

I hold out my arms. "Fire when ready."

He stares at me then lets the bullet fly. It hits me dead on and I only stand there. The two thieves and the bartender are shocked. The bullet hit my head.

I glare at them, my eyes now red slits.

"I told you there was a curse. And immortality is part of it."

He simply stares at me.

"What are you?"

I pull out my gun.

"I would tell you," I say gently, "but why waste my breath on a dead man."

And at that I let a bullet fly and it hits him through the head.

He drops and I look down at him.

"Poor soul." I say soothingly. I look up at the other who is scared out of his wits. "Are you going to join him?"

He drops the gun and shakes his head.

"What are you afraid of me?"

He nods.

"Then leave the path you take and turn away from it forever. After you do that you will have nothing to fear." I tell him.

My tone hardens. "But if you continue down this road I shall find you and kill you... If I don't kill you right now."

He darts out the door and disapeares into the night.

My eyes turn back to normal and I sit on the stool.

"Can I have another?" I ask the bartender.

"Uh? Oh! Sure, sure."

He makes another and sets it down on the bar.

"I'm sorry you had to see blood shed in your café." I apologies.

"It's okay." He says.

He looks at me.

"You, uh, need me to call an ambulance?"

"No!" I say sternly. I finish the late and get up.

"Thanks for the drink."

"Hey, uh, no problem."

The rain has stopped to a light sprinkle. And I walk out down the sidewalk.

"John?" A girl says behind me.

I turn around and see a girl about eighteen. Slimming and beautiful. She tall but not too tall. She has brown hair and light blue eyes. She's wearing a drench coat, a dress skirt, and high heels.

"Johnathon Robson?"

"Yes?"

"It's me Crystal."

I stare at her.

"From high school?"

"Yes," she smiles. Then the smile goes into curiosity. "You look different."

"Oh I'm still the same."

I stare at her and her beauty. "You haven't changed abit though."

She smiles again. "So... what are you doing these days?"

"I work for the P.D."

"Really?"

"Yeah," then I remember my boss thinking of replacing me. "But I might not, if my boss replaces me."

"Oh."

We start to walk.

"So... are you married?"

"No."

She sighs.

"Are you?" I ask quickly.

"No," she sighs again. "But I am engaged."

"Oh."

My heart kinda sinks but I have no idea on why. She's not like me.

"So did you work in the field?" She asks.

I'm glad she changed the subject.

"Yes."

"What rank?"

"Second in command."

She looks shocked.

"And you're 20?"

"Nineteen."

We walk under a street light and she sees the blood from the gunshot.

"Oh my gosh! John are you okay?!"

"Huh?" Then I remember the gunshot. "Oh yes I'm fine."

"John you should go to a hospital!"

"No!" I say quickly. "I'm fine!"

"John." She stares at me sternly.

"I'm fine!" I growl.

"It's in the head." She says examinaing it. "What happened?"

"Bussiness."

She sighs.

"You never change."

I look at her.

"Every time I think you've changed you prove me wrong."

I blow air out my nose in annoyance that she is ridiculing me, and start to walk again.

"Hey!" She shouts. She runs to catch up.

"Do you have a computer?" She asks.

"Yes." I answer still looking ahead.

She pulls out a piece of paper and holds it out to me.

"I meant to give you this in high school. But you took off before I could."

I look at the paper and take it.

"It's my phone number, both home and cell, and email address."

I pull out a card and hand it to her. I know I have no choice in the matter. She'd be asking for it anyway.

"Crystal?"

I look ahead to see a man walk up.

He's tall, about my height, he's got dark silver hair and green eyes. His name isTyler.

"Oh... um..." She whispers.

"Well, well, well." He says looking at me. "If it ain't Johnny boy." He says out of mockery.

I shrug it off.

"What are you doing with my girl?"

I turn around and start to walk away.

He grabs my shoulder and spins me around.

"Ha. I was talkin' to you."

"Sorry."

"What are you doing with my girl?"

"I was talking to her."

"Oh really?" He says. "Well ain't that sweet?"

He steps in close to me and violently whispers, "You had better stay away from her Johnny boy. You hear."

I stare at him.

"And if I don't?"

"I'll break every single bone in your body."

I step back and go to her.

"Come on," I say gently. "I'll get you a coffee. And we can catch up."

I feelTylerpunch my back.

I fall to my knees then I get back up.

"Is that all you got?" I say turning to him.

He tries to punch me again.

I grab his fist, pull him toward me, put my foot behind him and push him back.

He falls and starts to get back up.

I pull out my gun and aim it at him.

"Please," I say, "stay down there and don't let me disgrace this bullet by using it to kill a worthless man. You don't deserve it."

"John!"Crystalshouts.

"What?"

"Please put it away."

Tylerlooks at her and then looks at me and smiles when I hesitate.

"See Johnny boy?" He says. "I told ya, you'd never win."

"Oh I remember thatTyler." I say. "But I also remember what happened that night. Don't you?"

"That was play then Johnny boy." He grins. "Now it's the big bad world. And I know how to tame it to get what I want."

"By bribing all the judges and jury men?!" I snap. "The people you sue are good people and they can't even hope to get a fair trial because of you! You unconstitutional bastard!!"

I start to pull the trigger.

"John!"

I turn toCrystal.

"What?! Do really think this man deserves to live?!"

"Yes." She says. "Cause no one deserves to die!"

I hesistate. Then I finally put the gun away. I look atTylerand scowl. Then I turn and look at Crystol, who look at me with content and relief.

Tylercomes up behind me and grabs my gun. I turn and he fires a round into my chest and I hit the ground.

"Oh my goshTyler!!"Crystalshouts.

"Oh shut up!" He growls at her. Then he looks down at me. "Johnny, Johnny, Johnny... I told you I always win."

He fires the gun and the bullet goes trough my head. He drops the gun on top of me and then walks off.

I look around and then I black out.

I wake up in a room that's white as a ghost. I look around and see posters of body parts and structures of them. I then see an I.V. next to my bed.

'Oh crap. Not a hospital room! What the hell am I doing in a hospital room?!'

"Hey John."

I glance to see crystal at my bedside. She looks happy and relieved but I can see tear streaks.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing. I'm just ti-"

"You left Tyler didn't you? And he said something that hurt your feelings because of your decision?"

She looks at the floor and nods.

"Ignore it." I say. "He's nothing more than rich trash."

She looks up and the door opens. A doctor with a white lab coat thing comes in.

"Oh you're awake?" He asks me. "Good. You gave us quite a scare."

"Probably, but not over my life." I say.

"I'll have you know that we care about our patients very much." He says.

"What ever." I say annoyed. "You came in here for a reason so spill it."

He looks at me then goes on.

"You are a very strange case. You survived two, not one but two, bullets to the head. Other patients would have died!" He says. "And, for medical reasons, we'd like to experiment with you. Is that okay?"

"No." I say immediately.

He looks shocked. "But it's for over a hundred people we could save with cases like yours."

"I said 'no'!"

"Sir I must ask why you're making the wrong decision?"

"I'm not. It's for the better. Believe me."

"I can't believe it. I insist that you stay."

"And I say no!" I say getting really annoyed. "Where are my clothes?"

"Over here."Crystalsays pointing to a pile of clothes neatly folded.

"Crystalget out and you too." I say to the doctor.

"Okay but I must warn you you're wasting your time. There's a guard on duty outside and he is not to let anybody out of this room except me and visitors."

I glare at the doctor. "We'll see now won't we?"

Crystalgets up and leaves and so does the doctor.

I change from the hospital patient's gown and back into my black shirt, blue jeans, gun belt and black, lace-up boots. I then sling my coat over my shoulder. I then start to walk out.

But when I open the door a man with a full beard and black hair wearing a security guard's outfit and sunshades blocks the door.

"Move." I order.

"And who are you to order me?" He growls.

"Second C.O. Johnathan Robson of the local P.D."

"Yeah like I haven't heard that one before." He scoffs. "Got any proof?"

"Oh. Just this." I say holding him my I.D. and badge.

He stares at it and looks shocked. He glances at me then salutes. "Terribly sorry sir! I was just taking necessary precautions."

"Understood. And at ease."

He moves out of my way and hands me my gun.

"The hospital orders me to take it away sir." He says apologetically. "It's a beautiful side arm."

"Thank you." I say and I walk down the corridor.

Farther down I see Crystal and the doctor talking. I come closer and they spot me. Both are shocked.

"How did you get passed him?!" The doctor asked.

"That's one thing that I hate about this hospital," I say. "You would know why if you had taken the time to look at some identification." My tone hardens, "But all patients are nothing but animals to you people that work here. Right?"

"Wrong! We care a lot about patients."

"Than who am I?!" I growl. A man is being wheeled into a room in a wheel chair. I point after him. "Who is he?!"

"He's-" The doctor pauses. "He's a new patient. And we haven't gotten his name yet."

"That's a lie! I see him come back to this hospital every day of every week and you still don't know his name?!" I snap.

Patients start to look out into the hallway.

The doctor sees this and leans real close.

"Shut your mouth boy!" He hisses harshly. "Or you'll be sued for over your budget limit."

"Do you know who you're dealing with?" I growl. "I am second C.O. Johnathan Robson of the local P.D."

He looks at me shocked.

"W-who did you say you were?"

"Second C.O. Johnathan Robson of the local P.D. and I am capable of taking this facility to court. And I will not lose. I have too many people behind me. So back off and learn your place!"

And at that I turn around and head toward the exit withCrystalfollowing me.

I look outside and she looks at the ground.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Well I was living atTyler's house and now since I left him..."

"Come on you can come and live at my place."

She looks at me shocked. "Who do you think I –"

"I have an extra room and it beats leaving town."

"Oh." She says in a sorry tone.

"You mistake me for being likeTyler. I'm not!"

"Okay."

I look out into the parking lot. "Got a car here?"

"No I left it at your house. I went there because I thought you would have left the hospital by the time I got there, but since you didn't I decided to walk here."

"Well it's a nice night so let's just walk."

She smiles a bit. "Okay."

I pull up the collar of my coat and we start to walk.

Most girls I've been with wouldn't shut up, but she is rather quiet.

"Have you ever had a girl like you?" She asks.

"Some." I reply. "But I never liked them back. They just stayed around me for a while 'till they got sick of it."

"Oh."

I look at her and she's looking at the ground.

"Still want that coffee?" I ask.

She smiles and says, "Sure."

We walk back to the same café that I went into earlier.

"Well if it ain't mister miracle." The bartender says.

"Hey." I smile to him. "Think you can hook me and my friend up with a cup of joe?"

"Sure!" he says. He goes to make some and calls over his shoulder. "By da way, what's your name? I have a feeling you'll be here a lot. In fact my favorite customer!"

"I'm John and this isCrystal."

"Nice ta meecha ma'am." He says pulling off his hat and revealing a semi-bald head. Then putting it back on.

"Thank you." She smiles.

"My name's McKualsky." He says pointing his thumb to himself. "But people calls me Mac. Kinda prefer it really. It's a common man's name."

"It suits you too."

He looks at me smiling. "It does, doesn't it?"

He sets the cups on the counter top and I hand him some money.

"So you never told me about yer rough day earlier."

I sigh.

"Well my boss is thinking about replacing me. Obviously I'm not any good. They want book worms not trained for the field."

"Oh that's a shame." He says.

"Tell me about it?"

He looks at me and then to her.

"You married?" he asks me.

"No."

"Ma'am you married?"

"No." She sighs. "I was engaged but..."

"What happened? Tell ol' Mac aboud it."

That sounded more like an order than a question, but I bet he didn't mean it like that.

"Well.. I was engaged to a man named Tyler Clarkson..." and she went on to tell Mac the rest of story.

During that I notice a bit of shame in her voice. Like she had been too hard on Tyler. Mac notices this too.

"Serves him right if ya ask me." He says after she's through. "Shootin' someone after they let him live. I'd done the same thin' missy. You have nothing to be a shamed of your self for." He pauses. "Who'd he shoot."

I raise my hand.

"You?!"

"Yeah."

"What's that 3 times?! Twice in the head and one in da chest?! You're a lucky, lucky man."

"Really..." I say. "I know."

They stare at me. The bell of the café rings and a man wearing a drench coat and hat walks in.

"Be with ya in a moment sir." Mac calls out to him. "Be right back."

"Okay." I say as he leaves.

Crystalnotices my ring.

"I thought you said you weren't married?"

"I'm not. A girl gave this to me. We loved each other so much."

"What happened to her?"

I sigh. "She was murdered. And ever since her soul has been in this ring."

"Oh."

Mac walks back.

"What did that Tyler guy look like again?"

"Dark silver hair, green eyes, about John's height."Crystalsays. "Why?"

"He's over there."

I look to see him turn his head away.

"He's watching us...or just me." I say.

"He brought a gun. A MAC 83 I think."

"He plans to use it."

I get up and start to walk out.

"Where you going?" Mac asks.

"To get some air."

As I push open the door, I seeTylerget up too.

I head out to a light pole in the middle of the small parking lot. Themidnightbell starts to ring from several blocks away.

I hear footsteps come closer to me from behind.

"I know you're thereTyler. You shouldn't blame me for your actions."

I turn to see him holding the automatic machine pistol up and pulling the trigger.

I can't help but smile for every bullet he wastes.

He finally runs out of bullets and I looks at him.

My eye's turn to red slits as I say, "Life and death are two totally different things, yet are two sides of the same coin. And you just angered an exception to that..." I pause and smile. "You really shouldn't have done that."

He darts off to the café. I use a movement called flash-step to get in front of him. He is shocked.

"Now, now." I say waving a finger. "We can't go and let other's know about our play date can we? They might get jealous."

"What are you?" he asked shocked.

I raise my hand and a blue flame ring comes around him blocking his exits.

"What am I?" I say coming closer to the ring of fire. "Tylerdon't you know who I am? I'm Johnny boy. Poor, weak Johnny boy." My voice hardens. "But now you don't think that do you?"

I step through the ring of fire and he starts to freak out.

"John man please you gotta let me go please!"

I laugh harshly. "This is the great Tyler Clarkson?! Pheh! Spare me with your meaningless words. Your not worth the breath you use." I stare at him. He is about to cry. "You know what? Get out of here." I order.

He looks up.

"Leave Crystal and me alone. You not worthy enough for her."

He starts to get up.

"Tyler."

He looks at me.

"You've lost."

He starts to protest.

"Accept it!" I say. "A man who accepts defeat will someday use this lesson in a battle and bring victory. Those who don't will perish in a flaming hell."

The blue flames disappear and he takes off.

My eyes turn back to normal and I walk back into the café.

"What was that?"Crystalasks.

"What was what?"

I hope she didn't see that! I'd hate to have to obliterate her memory.

"I saw flashes."

"Bullets from a gun no doubt." Mac calls.

She looks after that and sees the blood soaking my clothing.

"Oh my gosh!! You need to get to a hospital!"

"No!" I say. "I'm fine."

"How can you be fine?!"

"I just am."

"Then we defiantly need to take you to a hospital!"

"Oh I'm sure he's-"

Crystalshoots him a mean look.

"Or he could go to the hospital." He shrugs.

"Mac!" I say.

"I'm calling them!" She says.

She pulls out her cell phone and starts to dial. I dart outside and jump onto a near by building. It's only two stories.

"John!" I hearCrystalscream.

I look down and see her walking around looking for me.

'Sorry crystal, but by the time you find me I'll be fully healed.'

She glances up and sees me.

"John?"

I dart off.

I hear her start down the side walk in pursuit.

"John wait!" She calls.

'I can't! I'm sorry but I just can't!'

"John!!!!" She screams in terror.

I turn and run back to her.

I stop on the roof ledge to see three guys walking towards her in an ally way.

'I don't need this. Not today!'

I jump down into their midst and say, "Thank you for finding her."

I have a smile on my face like I spoke to scum like these every day.

They look at me wandering where I came from.

"Who are you?"

"Oh I'm no one. Just a friend." I say casually.

"Of who?" The tallest, and obviously the leader, says.

"Oh? Of her." I say pointing toCrystal. "Please may I take her home?" I say starting towardCrystal.

"Not so fast!" The leader snaps. He then smiles. "We won't let fresh meat get away that easy." He says turning to me with a wolfish grin. "Especially if the meat is so beautiful."

They grab pipes and chains. As they do so I smile.

"I'm warning you now." I say in a gentle voice. "You won't live if you fight me. So if you want to live, then leave."

They laugh.

"Listen to this guy!" The leader blurts out. "He thinks he's big and bad!"

He looks at me and then says, "Let's teach him different."

One whips the chain towards me. I raise my arm up and the chain wraps around it. I grab the chain and pull, the man comes flying at me.

I pull my pistol out and fire a round as he flies past me. He falls on the ground and doesn't move any more.

I turn to the rest with my arm dislodged from the force of the one in flight.

My eyes change.

"Who's next?"

The second one charges me with his pipe in his hand. I duck under his arms and kick him in the back. He turns around and swings the pipe at me; I again duck it and send part of the chain around his neck. I front flip over him and pull the loose and of the chain, robbing him from oxygen. His face turns blue and then to purple, he struggles hard to get out of the death grip but his face turns pale and he falls over dead.

I remove the chain from his neck and look for the third.

"Where is the other one?"

I turn to see him swing the pipe at my head. I don't have time to duck. All we hear is a loud, "PING!!!"

"John!!!"

"I knew you weren't all that, y-"

The leader stops short to see me with my gun raised to his head. He sees the pipe still at my head and blood running down my face and staining the pipe.

"Impossible." He gasps.

"Possible." I say.

I let the bullet fly into his skull and I watch him and the pipe hit the ground.

I turn toCrystalas I let the chain slide off my arm.

She stares at me.

"Are you afraid of me?" I ask finally.

She doesn't answer.

I turn around and look at the three men I have just killed.

"A-are you okay?"

"Yes," I say turning back to her.

She walks over to me.

"Turn my arm in a circular motion to relocate it."

She does this and we hear a loud popping noise.

I sigh in relief.

"Does it hurt?"

"No, quite the contrary." I say. I shut my eyes and they return to normal when I open them.

She turns it all the way around and it pops into place.

I move my shoulder in a circle and it pops a little.

"Much better." I sigh with a smile.

"That was incredible." She breaths.

I turn to her.

"What do you mean?"

"No one's ever done something like that for me."

"Stick up for you?"

She shakes her head. "No.Tylerdid that a lot." She says. Then she looks up at me. "I mean getting hurt like that to protect me."

I blow air out my nose again in annoyance. I'm not used to people thinking of me as some kind of hero. And I don't want it to start now.

"I did what I had to." I say as I turn around.

"How did you survive that?"

I look back.

"A gift," I say. "Now come on."

She catches up with me and we head to the apartment/ house.