Zac stumbled over the upturned chair, and sighed. It happened. Again.
   "Jude?" He called out softly. "Jude, you still here?" His eyes scanned over the ransacked apartment as he waded through the broken glass and splintered wood.
   A noise in the bedroom had him turning and hurrying towards it.
   "Jude?" His hand flicked at the light switch, but nothing turned on. "Jude, what happened?" The words were out before he could call them back. He already could tell what happened.
   Squinting, he could make out a hunched over figure from the light of the stereo in the corner.
   "Why is it always me?"
   Her whispered words were always like a knife in his chest. The pain filled voice always managed to make him bleed.

   "It's always happening to me." She whispered hoarsely. "Always to me."
   Getting down on his knees, Zac crawled over to her. "What's going on, what's happened, Jude?"
   Lifting her heavy head, Jude looked up into his dark eyes and tried so hard to smile at him. "I had to end it."
   Tilting his head, Zac could hear the stereo straining to let the music be heard.
   'When the night is dark and stormy, you won't have to reach out for me, I will come to you. Oh, I will come to you. Sometimes when all your dreams, may have seen better days. And you don't know how or why, but you've lost your way. Have no fear when your tears are falling. I will hear your spirit calling. And I swear I'll be there, come what may.'
   Putting his arms around her, Zac heard Jude's breath hiss out and her body tensed. "Wha…"
   Stickiness coated his hand, and his stomach recoiled before he could smell the scent of blood.
   "I knew you'd come for me, Zac." She murmured weakly. "You always come and save me."

   Getting up quickly, Zac stumbled, and slammed open the bathroom door a few feet away and snapped on the light.
   Blood was still gushing from the right corner of her forehead, and staining her hair, clothes, and skin.
   "You've gotta go this time." Zac demanded as he fell beside her again. Grabbing the closest shirt to him, he wadded it and placed it against her forehead gently.
   He winced when she did.
   Cupping her elbow, he started to carefully help her up to her feet. "Tay's been outside waiting for me." He gave a strained laugh, "Probably pissed off because he wanted to make it to TCBY before it closed tonight."
   "Mmm." Jude moaned, causing Zac to stop moving, "A Butterfinger Shiver does sound good."
   Letting out a shaky breath, Zac continued moving again. "Come on. We gotta get out of here." He smiled weakly, "I'll buy you one later."
   "I have no place to go." Jude confessed ashamedly.
   His arm tightened around her reflexively, "I'll see about that.