17

 

My eyes shut as my head starts to pound, my body feeling like it will give way at any moment. I am almost there. I am just hoping that nothing is going to stop me along the way.

Two hours.

A deep sigh escapes my lips as I climb up to floor nine. One more story until the top. I walk weakly to the top step and into the hall, wheezing like crazy. I run as fast as I can down the hall, noticing that there are two people by my side. Kyle and Woody.

A small smile forms on my face as I make eye contact with them, knowing that they are helping me get through this. They smile back at me, nodding, as if telling me I am doing good, or I will be just fine.

Quicker than I thought, the three of us get to the next flight of stair and end up standing in front of the only door on top of the stairway. My shoulders slump, and I can feel Kyle's and Woody's worried expressions on me.

"We'll see you soon, Dan." Kyle says, trying not to cry. I turn around to see that they are gone, but a small slip of paper has taken their place. I bend down, grabbing the paper, and unfolding it.

You've done good, Daniel. Live your last few hours right. Save them, and again, see you soon, buddy.

-Kyle & Woody

A small smile forms on my lips, and I tuck the piece of paper in my pocket. I turn around and face the doorway, excepting what is to come ahead. Taking a slight step forward, I grab the door handle, feeling uneasy as I turn it.

The door opens, revealing a pitch black room, but I can easily see where Cassie and Will are sitting. A light turns on as I see that they are bloody and battered, tied up, and their mouths covered. As they lay their heavy eyes on me, their muffled screams fill my ears.

The time has come.

I see the demons standing by the window across the room.

About time, Dan.

We've been waiting.

And it looks like time is about finished in...

Five minutes.

Choose the path you would like to go down, Daniel Campbell Smith.

My face forms a scowl, "You know what, I AM SICK AND TIRED OF YOU FUCKERS! IF I DIE YOU GO DOWN WITH ME!" I spat at them. I hear them snicker.

Four minutes.

I run over to Will and Cassie, quickly untying them. Will lets out a shrill scream, for he is in an even worse state than when I last saw him. I look over at Cassie.

"C-Cassie..." I say, a smile forming across my face, and tears building in my eyes.

"Hi, Daniel." She takes my face in her hands, leaving us in a state of unawareness, completely oblivious of everything surrounding us. Just then, the gears in my mind start to turn once more, and I remember what I am here for. To save not only Will, but to bring Cassie back from the other side.

Two minutes.

I take Cassie into my body, gripping her tightly in a loving hug. Even though she is dead, she feels as warm as ever. Her smell is still there, tickling the inside of my nose, just like it used to....just like it will for the very last time.

I pull away and quickly smack my lips against hers. The air around us thickening, my tears buring my eyes as I realize that this will be my last time ever feeling her touch.

Ever seeing her in person.

Ever having her smell send a spine chilling sensation through my body.

The last time holding her in my arms.

The last time with her...ever.

As our kiss continues, I wrap my fingers around the barrel of the gun that lies in my pocket, slowly taking it out. I pull away, rest my forehead on her's, taking in her beauty...for the very last time.

"I love you, Cassie, and I always will. Beyond the grave..." Cassie's hand finds mine as it grips tighter on the gun. I watch her deep brown eyes widen as she takes in what is about to happen.

"Dan..." Will whispers.

"Daniel....DAN DON'T YOU DARE!" Cassie screams as I stand up. Our finger tips slip away from each others grip as I get to my feet, still shaking, "DANIEL CAMPBELL SMITH, DO NOT LEAVE ME!" Cassie's cries fill the once silent darkness of the room along with Will's.

I take a small step towards the demons by the window and slowly raise the gun the the side of my head, "DAN! NO. NO. NO." She screams and I can see her and Will stand quickly as the cold gun presses against my fragile skin. I bite my lip, hard, the tears coming fast. The pain in my body is nothing compared to hearing her screams. But I can't do anything. It's either this...or Cassie. And...and I am choosing this. For her.

For my Cass.

The one I love.

The one I have always loved.

I turn to look at Cassie, "Sometimes....the only way to show you love something....is to let it go..." I watch her start to run towards me, with Will limping behind, as my finger tightens on the trigger.

Then I press it...

...And everything is let go, as my vision blurs and softens, I fall to the floor.

Memories flash before my eyes, and the last thing my dieing eyes lay upon are the ones of Cassie's.

Then everything before me...

...grows dark......

Fin