"I'm countin' the minutes and the days,
until you let me come back,
until you let me start,
to find a new way to get back into your heart . . ."

~^~Every Time I Close My Eyes~^~
Chapter Seventeen

"Maybe there was a reason for that bomb being in my car," she cried looking down at the cold water below the bridge. "Maybe, God wanted me to die."

More tears fell uncontrollably from Natasha's face as she thought of everything she had been through. Sure maybe she lived her life in the spotlight but she wanted so much more than that. She wanted Howie back. But knowing that he wouldn't want her back, after they way she treated him, made her think that maybe, just maybe her life wasn't worth living for anymore.

--Back at the Hospital--

"Micayla?" Howie said placing a firm hand on her shoulder to get her attention.

"Oh, yes. Hello Howie," she smiled standing up from where she sat on the couch next to Nick.

"May, I please just for a moment go see Natasha?" he asked.

Without replying she motioned for him to follow her down the hallway. "She's sleeping at the moment. But I will allow to see her," she smiled opening the door.

He smiled walking behind Micayla toward Natasha's hospital bed. But he could tell something was wrong when Micayla's smile turned to a frown. Howie's expression soon changed as well when he looked at the empty hospital bed.

"Wait, are you sure this is her room?" Howie said starting to stress out.

"Yes, I'm sure. The card for these flowers' say get well soon Natasha," she said turning toward him. She too was now worried.

"Where could she be? How many injured famous people can just get up and walk out of a hospital?"

"The kind that use the window . . ." Micayla said running toward the open window that was now sending a cold draft through the room.

"Oh my gosh. You can't be serious! She would have to climb down that tree!" Howie said looking over the edge at the large oak tree outside the window.

"This is serious. We have to find her right away. She should not even be walking in her condition," she said racing out of the now empty hospital room.

To Chapter Eighteen