The sound of a loud gun shot was heard on a busy street…

A woman driving her car was hit. The intense pain was like nothing she ever felt before. It made her gasp in shock and tighten her hold on the steering wheel. The white silk blouse she was wearing was soon red from blood. Headlights from other cars quickly approached. The woman turned her steering wheel to avoid oncoming traffic. The sharp turn caused her car to collide with a parked car. It all happened so fast she couldn’t think clearly. The loud beeps from car horns, the pain and the sight of her own blood blended together in her head and made her dizzy. A crash instantly stopped the chaos and the woman’s eyes slowly closed.

The light looked so peaceful and tempting to go to…

“What are her injuries?” A doctor asked as he rushed into a hospital room to tend to another patient from the multi car accident.

“Severe head trauma and blood loss.” A nurse answered grimly with concerned eyes on the patient. “Her vital signs are weak. She may not survive surgery.”

The doctor nodded and worried this patient’s outcome would be the same as two others who died as a result of the car accident.

The talking wouldn’t stop…  

The day after the accident the patient opened her eyes. She blinked a few times and tried to focus. The throbbing in her head was louder than the voice she heard in the room. Someone was talking to her, but she couldn’t concentrate. When her vision finally cleared she saw a nurse standing next to her bed. The patient was confused. She didn’t know where she was or how she got there.

“You were in a terrible car accident.” The nurse said and continued with an explanation about the woman’s condition. There were many details the patient didn‘t understand. “The police want to question you because you were shot prior to the accident.” The nurse’s words confused the woman more. “They found a gun and a large amount of money in your car.”

“I don’t know anything about that.” The patient responded weakly. “I don’t even remember the accident.”   

“There was no identification in your car or purse.” The nurse said then asked, “What’s your name?”

“It‘s…” The woman attempted to answer, but she couldn’t. “I don’t know.” She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to remember. “Why don’t I know my name?” She asked frantically. “What’s wrong with me?” The confusion and fear she felt were easily heard in her voice. Not knowing who she was scared her more than hearing she was shot before the car accident.

“Amnesia.” The nurse stated with certainty. “Most likely from the head trauma.” The diagnosis was no comfort to the patient. It only scared her more. “Don’t worry. Amnesia is usually temporary.” The nurse insisted. “Perhaps when you’re home with your family you’ll remember who you are.”

“Family.” The woman repeated surprised. “I have a family?”

“Yes.” The nurse answered and explained, “I found a phone number in your purse and called it this morning. A woman answered. I gave her your description and told her you were in a car accident. She said you’re family then hung up before I could ask her your name.”

“I don’t remember my family.” The woman said and sighed.

Not dead yet…

The shot was perfect. It hit her below the neck, but she wasn’t dead. The shooter still couldn’t believe it. Lucky bitch, he thought bitterly as he paced around the small motel room where he was hiding. He knew his days were numbered. There was no way he could hide from her family. They would hunt him down and kill him. There was only one option. He had to kill her before they found him.

Djosefin was sitting on her couch with her guitar in hand. She just finished playing and lit up a cigarette. The phone began to ring, which was rare in Djoesfin's household. Not many people phoned, but she thought it was safe to buy a phone for those just in case moments. Putting the guitar against the couch, Djosefin got up and walked over to the phone on her book case. Picking it up, she was greeted by something she thought she would never hear. 

"Hello, this is a nurse from...We have a woman here...number in her purse..."

As Djosefin listened carefully, she almost let the smoke drop from her lips as her mouth hung open with the news she was being given.The nurse on the other line began to give a description of the woman. Djosefin knew right than that it was Jordan. A few days ago, Djosefin saw Jordan and gave her her number because she had finally hooked up her phone and was giving it out to family so they could finally get a hold of Djosefin. It's a good thing she did get her phone. 

"We would like to know the patients name..."

'She's family.'

With that Djosefin was out the door and in her car on her way to the hospital. She couldn't believe Jordan was in the hospital. She was the toughest chick Djosefin had met. Speeding down the streets, it didn't take her long to reach the hospital. 

Running up the stairs to Jordan's room, she open the door to her floor and found a nurse walking down the hallway. 

'Excuse me, which room exactly is the woman you phoned about. Her name is Jordan and I need to speak with her now.'

Opening the door slowly and trying to be quiet. She saw Jordan sitting up in bed and holding items from her purse sitting beside her. The nurse briefly explained that Jordan didn't know who she was nor had any memory of anything before the accident. 

'Jordan? How're you doing? It's me...Djosefin.'

Finding a chair and pulling it up next to the bed, Djosefin saw that Jordan had no clue as to who she was. 

'Look, your name is Jordan. You work with the mafia. I work with you. I can't explain too much here, but I can bring you back to your place and maybe things will come back. Damn girl, you are one badass chick to survive what you did. I wouldn't want to fuck with you. That's for sure. Anyways, I'm gonna make a phone call outside. You're gonna need the extra protection from now on. I don't know how many lives you have, but we're gonna make sure you keep them. I'll be back in 10 mins...'

Djosefin quickly walked out of the room and back down the stairs, outside the hospital to a pay phone. 

'Hi...I'm phoning about Jordan...'

Nothing made sense to the woman. There were so many thoughts in her head she couldn’t think straight. The more she tried to remember who she was the more confused she felt. Before the nurse left the room she gave the patient her purse. Hoping it had a clue about her identity the woman opened it. As soon as she looked inside she knew something was missing.

“They found a gun and a large amount of money in your car.”

The nurse’s earlier words came back to her. A gun and money were suppose to be in the purse. The realization made the woman wonder more about herself. She rummaged through the purse, but there were no personal items that made her remember who she was.

The door opened and the nurse walked in followed by a young woman who introduced herself as Djosefin.

“Jordan.” The woman repeated the name Djosefin called her. It seemed familiar, but the person who obviously knew her looked like a stranger. When the nurse left the room and Djosefin told her who she was the woman was dumbfounded.

“You work with the mafia….”

The rest of what Djosefin said was a blur. Before the woman could blurt out all the questions in her head Djosefin left the room.

“Jordan.” The woman said her name out loud again.

Work in the mafia… shot before the accident.. extra protection from now on…

Suddenly Jordan realized she wasn‘t safe. Although she had no memory of who she was she knew she couldn’t stay in the hospital. Surely the person who wanted to kill her would look for her there. As she slowly sat up to get off the bed the door burst open. It was Djosefin.

Jordan tried to stand, but her legs were shaky. She looked at Djosefin and said, “Help me get the fuck out of here before I‘m shot again.” 

As Djosefin made her way back in the room, Jordan was trying to make her way to the door. Almost falling, Djosefin quickly grabbed Jordan and made her sit on the edge of the bed. Crazy girl thought she was just going to up and leave without her. Djosefin knew that she couldn't let Jordan leave the hospital by herself. 

"Help me get the fuck out of her before I'm shot again."

'Just hold on a minute there missy. Slow down for a minute. I'll get you out of here...first...take this.'

Sliding off her signature black leather jacket, she handed it to Jordan. The last thing she wanted Jordan to do was run out of the hospital in just one of their gowns. They weren't exactly the most flattering, let alone covering. The leather jacket had to do. Jordan put it on and zipped it up. 

'Looks good on you...alright. I'm gonna help you out of here. Throw your arm around me.'

Offering to help her, Jordan pushed her away and tried to stand up herself. She was shaky at first and after a couple of minutes was able to start walking. 

"I got it Djosefin. I got it."

Djosefin shook her head and smiled. Jordan deffently gained herself an attitude. After making it out the hospital doors, she showed Jordan the way to her car. Djosefin tried to open her car door for Jordan, but Jordan only denied her from helping her out. Shrugging it off, she got into the driver side and closed the door. Lighting up and cigarette, she rolled down the window and turned the key. The engine was loud and she took a drag of her smoke. Turning to Jordan she lifted her cigarette case towards her. 

'Hey Jordan...turning into quite the badass...I never thought I would see the day. Smoke?'

As soon as Jordan put the leather jacket on she decided she was going to keep it. The bold thought made her wonder how often she took what she wanted. It may have been wrong to steal, but it felt right to her.

Although Djosefin offered to help her walk Jordan wanted to do it on her own. When they got outside to the car she was exhausted and her head was pounding again. She didn’t know if she smoked, but took a cigarette anyway.  

“Where is the extra protection you mentioned?” Jordan asked as Djosefin drove the car out of the hospital parking lot. “I was in a car when I was shot before. I’m going to need more than you and this leather jacket if the fucker tries to shoot me again.”

Before Djosefin could answer Jordan added, “What did you mean by I’m turning into quite the bad ass? Aren’t all mobsters bad asses?”

As Djosefin drove towards Jordan's apartment, she threw out her cigarette butt and rolled up her window slightly. Just than she heard Jordan soeak up in the passenger seat beside her. 

"Where is the extra protection you mentioned..."

Trying to tell Jordan what was going on, she interrupted her again. She was hasty now. More forward. Djosefin couldn't help but think that bullet did a number on her. Djosefin liked it though. 

"What did you mean by I'm turning into quite the bad ass..."

'You don't remember, but you were more...feminine. You definitely didn't cut people off when they tried to talk to you or you hardly swore. Maybe I'm more of a bad influence than I thought. As far as the protection, at your apartment. They're waiting for us to arriving and waiting for you to gain your memory back. As far as my leather jacket goes, I kinda think it is pretty good protection. It's kept me bullet free in a few bullet storms. Hell, might be even all you need.'

Djosefin tried to make light of the situation and joke with Jordan, but it didn't seem to work. Jordan only looked a little irritated. Pulling up into the drive way of Jordan's apartment, Djosefin got out and made her way to the door and unlocked it. Waiting for Jordan herself to go inside, Djosefin than closed it behind them both. The place was perfect and spotless. As always. Djosefin went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine as Jordan wandered the apartment for the first time. 

The apartment that was hers looked like a stranger’s home. Jordan expected to recognize the furniture, lamps or something, but nothing looked familiar. Everything in the clean well organized apartment looked new and expensive. Jordan didn’t like any of it.

In the bedroom she stared at the dressing table full of cosmetics and shook her head. “Djosefin, I thought you said I was a mobster.” She yelled for her friend to hear down the hall. “If I wore all this crap I must’ve been a fucking clown.”

The closet was jam packed full of clothes, shoes and accessories. Everything was elegant and classy, but none of it looked comfortable to Jordan. After several minutes she decided to put on a tan skirt and blue silk blouse. When she was dressed she frowned as she looked at herself in front of a mirror.  

“Are you sure this is my apartment?” Jordan yelled again and wondered if Djosefin heard her. “These clothes look like they belong to a movie star, not a mobster.”

Jordan picked up a pair of shoes and left the room. As she walked down the hall she said, “After we get things sorted with the protection and find the fucker who tried to kill me I’ll have to go shopping for more practical clothes. I don‘t like…”

Jordan’s words were cut off by gun fire and windows shattering in the living room. Djosefin rushed towards her in the hall and yelled, “Get down!”

Drinking her wine, Djosefin walked into the living room and sat on an arm chair. It was white and she had to be a bit more careful not to spill anything. Looking around, Djosefin took in Jordan's apartment. She had only been there a few times, but never really got to look around cause it was just to drop of papers and such to her. Just than from down the hall, she could hear Jordan yelling at her. 

"...I thought I was a mobster.."

Chuckling to herself, Djosefin was amused. Jordan would also tell her about a new line of lipstick or other cosmetics she would pick up. Djosefin listened, but never knew what she was talking about. Never wearing the stuff herself, she was clueless to say the least. Than again she heard Jordan yelling to her from down the hall. 

"Are you sure this is my apartment? These clothes look like they belong to a movie star..."

Djosefin laughed, the old Jordan was defiantly not here. Finishing the last of her wine, she got up and put the glass on the counter. 

"...I'll have to go shopping for more practical clothes..."

'If you want I can lend you some of mine in the mean time than if you're looking for something more...'

Like am explosion, glass began to fly everywhere from windows and bullets can be heard hitting the walls not far from her. She saw Jordan in the hall way and ran towards her. Quickly grabbing her and pushing her towards the ground. 

'Get down! Ah fuck me!'

Pulling out her gun from the inside of her jacket, she pulled Jordan along towards the bedroom. Who ever it was really wanted Jordan dead, but Djosefin wasn't going to let that happen. Looking towards Jordan, she shouted at her over the gun fire. 

'Do you know where you would have put your gun? I know you have one in here! Look for it!'

“My gun!” Jordan snapped and stared daggers at her friend. “How in the hell would I know where it is? I didn’t even know my fucking name until you told me!”

In the other room more shots were fired, but it didn’t stop Jordan from ranting.

“I don’t know where anything is in this stupid apartment.” She complained. “This place sucks. I’d rather live…” Suddenly she remembered what the nurse told her earlier. “I don’t have a gun. The police took it out of my car after the accident. I probably don’t know how to shoot, anyway. I don’t remember anything!”

As Jordan complained about her amnesia Djosefin opened the window in the bedroom. She grabbed Jordan’s arm and ordered, “Out. Now.”

They both climbed out of the window and rushed down the fire escape to the alley then ran until they couldn’t hear the gun shots anymore. When they stopped Jordan shook her head and said, “I can’t believe this is my life. Is it like this everyday?”

After reaching around the end of the block, Djosefin finally slipped her gun back into her pants, under her shirt. Tousling her hair around she stopped there on the side walk with Jordan looking rattled at what just happened. Djosefin moved closer to Jordan and tried to keep what she was telling her between them.

'I apologize for snapping back, there. Just one of those situations and yes, you have every right to hate me right now because of your amnesia. You have to believe me. I don't go out there putting women in danger. I like to take them out to dinner. Less deadly. Anyways, you are an important part of our family in the mafia. And to answer your question, it's like this often. Kinda what the mafia life hands you.'

Looking around them, Djosefin than grabbed Jordan's hand and led her to a nearby bar. Djosefin knew it well cause she spent a few late nights there downing drinks. After going in through the front door, it was quiet in the bar like usual. Taking her usual table, she told Jordan to take a seat.

'I'm going to see where that goddamn protection is. As far as I can tell, this guy is not giving up. I know now he's already on the move looking for you. I'm gonna make another phone call. You can sit here for a couple minutes and get yourself a drink.'

Taking the gun from her waist band, Djosefin slid the gun into Jordan's lap. The look of puzzlement written all over her face.

'Things change in a second around here...'

The weight of the gun was heavier than Jordan expected. It was fascinating, but didn’t bring back any memories for her. The amnesia was so frustrating she wanted to complain about it more, but didn‘t want to drive her friend crazy. A drink was exactly what she needed. When a waitress approached the table Jordan didn’t know what to order.

“Umm.” She thought for a moment and figured Djosefin was probably a regular at the bar. “Bring two of whatever my friend normally orders.”

“Friend.” The waitress said and laughed. “Your friend sure does bring a lot of pretty women here. If I had a dollar for every…”

“Just do your job.” Jordan cut her off. “And serve the drinks.”

The waitress nodded and walked away. Jordan was surprised by her own bluntness. She recalled earlier when Djosefin told her she never use to cut people off. Her manners and other small things made Jordan wonder how else the memory loss changed her.

“Hey Jordan, how are you?” A man greeted. “I haven’t seen you in a couple days.”

“Hello.” Jordan replied and looked up at the stranger next to the table. She was embarrassed he knew her, but she didn’t recognize him. “Um, have a seat. Djosefin will be back soon.”

“I just saw her.” The man said and pointed at the door. “She’s waiting outside for us. The boss sent me to pick you gals up for a job.”

No! Jordan didn’t want to go with him. She knew he was lying. The boss was arranging protection for her, not sending her out on a job. Alone and seated while the man was standing Jordan felt at a disadvantage. The only thing that made her feel safer was the gun on her lap. Silently she prayed she remembered how to use it if she had to.

“Let’s go.” The man said and looked at his watch. “The boss said it’s important.”

Maybe he was telling the truth. Jordan second guessed her first instinct about him. He could be the man who tried to kill her or he could be a member of the mafia family she worked for. A glance across the bar helped her figure it out. Djosefin was standing near the door with a look of fear on her face. Without hesitation Jordan picked up the gun on her lap, aimed it at the man’s chest and pulled the trigger.

“He’s the fucker who tried to kill me.” Jordan said a moment later when Djosefin ran up to the table. They both looked down at the dead man on the floor and Djosefin nodded.