1 Prologue

He was falling. It, surely, wouldn't take more than a moment for him to reach the ground. Yet, in that moment, it seemed that time slowed. Heartbeats, intakes of breath, even gravity seemed to slow around him. Was he going to die? Were these his last seconds? But he couldn't help but think that it was worth it. He hadn't even had time to think when he jumped in front of the bullet. But, even if he had, he surely would have done the same thing. Because, when you see something you love being threatened, you do anything in your power to protect it. And, so, now he was falling. But, he knew that he would rather fall than be the one to pick up the pieces. And so, with those last few breaths he was not scared. No, he did not fear death. He didn't mourn his own loss. He didn't think of what would come after. In the split second before his head hit the ground, he only thought three simple words.

"I love you…"

And then with a terrible *CRACK*, everything went dark.