Time

Holy crap has it been forever.

Sorry y'all if I kept you waiting on something!

I have been working hard.

I've also been going through a whole lot

It's been forever so tell me what's been going on!

Since I left you all so suddenly and with ZERO warning...Here's a bit of a teaser for what I've been writing :)

Sorry again!

-A.E.T.

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Shraider lays in the bed as my eyes scan his dirt-covered and scratched face. The monitor beeps and the oxygen machine whirs. His left arm and leg are both in casts. I take a deep breath. Why is this happening? He wasn't even supposed to be working. But he's never been the kind of guy to sit back and let things happen. His best friend, Trent Crombly, told me he heard about the burning building and the people in danger and put his gear on along with the others. He's a great man. I've always known that.

I look at his arm and see the bandage covering a burn they wouldn't tell me about. It breaks my heart to see him like this. Normally it's just a few scrapes or bruises. It's never this bad. One time he lost his eyebrows in a car fire. He's been asleep for a week. I never thought a week could feel like forever. I miss his voice. I miss his eyes. I miss his laugh. I miss when he'd sing Carly Rae Jepsen early in the morning while he took a shower. I miss him.

The door opens and Shraider's brother, Bren, walks into the room, closing the door quietly behind him. I look at him, biting my lip with a nod. He crouches in front of the chair that feels like it's swallowing me. His hand touches my knee.

"Jen... Hey, are you okay?" He whispers. How do I answer that? I can't even move.

"I want to be." I mumble as I look back at Shraider.

"Yeah, I know." Bren stands with a sigh. "He'll be okay. You know that."

"I'd say that I knew if he was awake." My voice breaks. "I just want him awake." I slouch and cover my face, beginning to sob. Bren touches my shoulder.

"Hey, hey, hey. I know. I'm sorry." He says softly. I stand and run my hand through my hair. "Take a walk, okay? I'll stay with him."

"But, I don't want to-"

"He will be okay. I promise." Bren squeezes my shoulder. I take a breath and nod before grabbing my bag and walking out of the room I've gotten so used to. I walk down the hall and stop at the church. I've never prayed before. Why does now feel the right time to do it? I sit in one of the pews and bite my lip. My parents used to go to church. They'd get home and talk about the prayers they wanted to make and why. I'd never really listen, but they talked so loud it wasn't hard to hear them. I bow my head and close my eyes.

'God. I know you've never heard from me before, but I'm Jennifer Baylee Drew. I'm 25. I work at an animal rehabilitation center. I know I've used your name in vain or whatever, but I need you to hear me. The love of my life is in a hospital bed right now because he was willing to sacrifice his own life for others. He ran into a burning building when it wasn't even his turn. His name is Shraider Braiden Grant. He's been a firefighter since he was nineteen. Sure, he was just a volunteer back then, but he still experienced things. He shouldn't be taken from this world just yet. It isn't his time. I met him when he was in a dark place and I watched him help so many other people while he was going through one of the hardest things he's ever had to go through. Please. I need him. It's selfish, I know, but it's true. I need him in my life. He's always been there for me, his friends, and his family. He's even been there for complete strangers. I know you're busy. But please don't take him away. Please. If you let him stay, I'll promise to pray more. I'll thank you each and every day if I need to. Thank you.'

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Story name: ....A Story...Maybe