Copywrite stuff: Characters belong to Jonathan Larson and Rent… story is mine. Thanks.

"We were walking down the street and he stopped to talk to someone. Then we heard the gun

shots. I don't know what happened.... can I go now?"

"No, Mr. Cohen, we have a few more questions."

"Christ! I don't even know if my friend is dead or alive... I... I'm covered in his blood. Just let me

leave. I don't know anything else!" I get up, I'm not thinking straight... I just have to get some

answers.

"Mr. Cohen!" Another cop grabs the first one as I leave. I hear him tell them to let me go.

"Mark!" Through the din of sirens, voices, and flashing lights, I find the owner of the voice calling

me.

"Maureen? What's happening? Where is he?" I'm losing what little control I still have.

"Mark, sweetie...God you're pale. Come over here and sit down for a minute. Let me clean you up

some."

"No...no!" I push her away. "Where is he?" I feel someone's strong hands land on my shoulders. I

can hear Maureen say that I'm losing it. Then the reply, "Well he just saw his friend get shot in the

head..." That voice! "Collins!"

"I'm here Mark." The same hands now turn my face towards him. I relax some at their comforting

touch.

"Where is he? Where's Roger?"

"They took him to the hospital. He's alive... for now." Before I have time to react, Collins takes my arm and steers me toward a car. "Come on, let's go."

It's been hours. We haven't heard anything. Doctors, nurses...everyone... just pass us by, and

here we sit.... Collins, Maureen, and me. I feel like it's been days since we were on the street.

Someone gave me a clean sweatshirt to wear... I don't remember. Maureen and Collins

are talking close by. They seem much calmer to me then they should... but they didn't see it

happen, hear his scream...

"Are you the folks waiting for news on Roger Davis?" Suddenly, time stops. Collins stands up.

"Yes, we are."

"The surgery went well. We were able to stop the bleeding and he's stable. We won't know

anything more for a few hours." The doctor walks away. The tension in our group has eased

considerably. A nurse comes by and suggests we get some sleep. I hadn't even realized that it's

morning already. Collins says he's going to find coffee and some food. I mumble something

unintelligable and put my head down in Maureen's lap. She strokes my hair and we both drift off to

sleep.