18-22 pages, hopefully.

Little one-shot based around the emotions of... confusion, anger, sadness.  

Characters: Lian, Murdoc.

Lian is a strong girl (20 in this comic) who's currently living on her own in a rundown apartment.  She just lost her job and is looking for a new one with her best friend, Murdoc.  Quick to anger, refusing to let herself be seen crying, and intelligent.  Black eyes and dyed purple (tips) black  (shoulder length) hair, about 5'5". 

Murdoc is a quiet young man (19), who's been best friends with Lian since they were both in Elementary.  He moved away for three years and returned his Junior year of High school, and the bond the two shared grew deeper.  After a fit of depression caused by the loss of his mother, Lian became his self-appointed guardian and takes a strong stand against anyone who picks on him. He's about 5'6", with brown hair and green eyes.

Page one: Door.  B2019, with the 1 fallen off. Lian opens it to a dark room with only the TV on. "I was hoping for something to cheer me up when I got back. Why are the lights off?" she asks.  From behind the couch (to the door), Murdoc says, "didn't need them on..."

Page Two: Zoom in on Lian, who sighs.  Lian throws her bag at the couch and slumps on the ground.  Murdoc says, "Not often you're feeling down like this."

Page Three: "Not often I have no family members left." Murdoc sits up, "I'm sorry."  Lian stands up, "it's alright."

Page Four: "I need a good sleep, then a better shower."  Lian walks out. Murdoc watches her go, then coughs. His hand has blood on it. He sighs and grabs a blanket.

Page Five: After Murdoc lays down, the lights go out.  He sighs.

Page Six: Alarm Clock, saying 1:34 A.M.  Naked, in the bathroom, Lian says to her reflection, "Don't worry, Mom. Murdoc's here. I'm not lonely."

Page Seven: Lian walks into the TV room (camera behind her at TV standing in doorway), gets a quizzical look, and goes to flip the switch, but it's already on.  "Do we have any extra bulbs?". Zoom in on a sleeping Murdoc, then back to Lian, "..."

Page Eight: Lian walks through town (raining), thinking, "He's dying, he just won't admit it. And I can't help him... not enough money." She looks up, "you're all I have left, don't leave me like before."  About that time, a siren goes off. "Huh?"

Page Nine: She looks back at the building, which is on fire. "Murdoc!" She starts running back. "No, no, no.." she thinks.

Page Ten: Lian gets to the building while the firemen are just getting out. "Don't go in there!" one yells, but she goes anyway. Last frame has her in the doorway of the stairs, fire in the hallway near the door.

Page Eleven: "I'm coming, Murdoc!" she yells as she grabs the handle. "Ahh!" she yells, pushing the door open. Hand is burnt bad.  Shows her fallen on her knees in the doorway, Murdoc at the balcony.  Zoom in on his face in the corner, "Stay back, Lian!"

Page Twelve: She grabs him and says, "this way!", but the doorway is on fire now.  She grabs Murdoc and helps him to his feet and starts down stairs.

Page Thirteen: Murdoc coughs; too weak to raise his arm, blood spittles on Lian's shoulder. "I'm going to get you out of here!" she yells, "just hang on!". "I'm not gonna make it... just get yourself out." He says. "No, you're not leaving me again! We're getting out of this together." Rain starts.

Page Fourteen: "I'm gonna miss you, y'know." Murdoc continues, coughing more. Lian's foot gets caught between two steps, which snap, breaking her leg.

Page Fifteen: Murdoc falls down the rest of the stairs.  "Murd, we're getting out of this!" She continues, grabbing him and limping down.  "Stop it! Stop... before you hurt yourself worse."

Page Sixteen: "We'll make-"she says,  but her leg gives out on her and they fall. "You're all I have!" Lightning strike in the background.  *sniff* from her, the rain is worse.

Page Seventeen: "I've never... seen you cry," he says as he wraps his arms around her. "You're strong. You'll get through... all of this."  Lian stands up again, "let's go." She grabs Murdoc and limps down the stairs some more.

Page Eighteen: Full page of Lian carrying Murdoc down the stairs in the rain. She says, "I'll never let you go. You left me before. I couldn't stop it then, but I won't let it happen now.  My family is all gone, Murd. You're ALL that I have left! When we're done with this, I'll find a way to make you better..."

Page Nineteen: Fireman says, "hey! Need help up here, let's go!" Lian has a sorrowful look on her face as they check Murdoc. "We have two civilians," the fireman says, "on the east side. The girl that went back in has a broken leg and was carrying a younger man."

Page Twenty: Shows in a [/] style, Lian on left, Murdoc on right, with the text, "but he didn't make it," in the middle.

Page Twenty-One: Lian falls to her knees. Camera zooms back.

END of "Pair".