Chapter 8

Nevermore

"Child, why do you cry?"

I looked up at the woman through my tears, still sniffling. She looked down curiously at me, her long dark hair cascading down her shoulders.

"I… I'm lost…" I sniffled, wiping away my tears with a small hand. Small? I was a child now, looking the same as I did when I was only five years old. I sniffled again, choking down a sob. I wanted my mother… I was so scared…

"Lost?" the woman asked and then smiled at me, reaching out a hand for me to take. "I can help you find your way, little one."

I reached out to take her hand…

And woke to the sounds of wood splintering.

What in the world…?

"Arthur-san!" Sakura cried, running into my room with a panicked expression. "Quick! Climb out the window!"

"Sakura?" I gasped. "What's going on?"

"No time!" she gasped, throwing my window open. "Out! Now!"

I threw myself out of the window without a second word and she followed me, quickly ushering me to the woods. I looked behind my shoulder as we ran, watching as our room went up in flames. My eyes widened in horror as I saw a familiar face looking out of my window.

No…

Sakura pulled at my arm and we dove deep into the bushes. Her face was pale and she was shaking. I felt fear sneak through my torso. Was it that bad?

"Sakura, what happened?" I asked her.

"It's Sadiq."

My entire world froze. No. He was supposed to be gone. I looked at her, my eyes wide and horrified.

"What do I do?" I asked in a trembling whisper.

"Run," Sakura instructed. "When I tell you to run, you run. He knows we're here and that you're with me. I'll try to hold him off as long as I can."

"O-okay…" I responded, feeling myself start to shake. "But… what about you?"

"I'll be fine, Arthur-san," she assured me, peering over my shoulder. Her eyes narrowed and she looked at me urgently. "Run. Now."

I nodded. "Good luck…" I took off, not looking back as I left her behind me.

I ran so fast that I couldn't see anything around me. My eyes were blurry and I was focused on getting away. Suddenly, I was horizontal and sailing through the air. My foot had caught a tree root and I was sent tumbling into a ditch of some sort. I rolled for what seemed to be forever, eventually landing hard on my right arm.

I sat up with a groan, whimpering as my right arm throbbed painfully. I got to my feet shakily, trying to get myself to move forward. My body had begun to ache and I was shaking all over, fear crawling up into my brain. A figure walked to the ledge of the ditch above me, looking down at me with curious eyes. I recognized him as Gupta.

"G-Gupta…" I stuttered, still shaking. "Y-you… How did Sadiq find me?"

"We followed your trail," he replied in a monotonous voice. "It wasn't very hard."

"Why are you doing this?" I questioned. "Why are you helping him?"

"I'm helping him because he told me to," Gupta answered. "He is my master and I obey his commands."

"He has no control over you!" I cried, trying to get my point through the other vampire's head. "He can't control me. Why let him control you?"

Gupta stared at me, unblinking. "Because I have no other choice."

I sighed as he started to descend the hill and looked around. I could run… but he would catch up to me in no time.

"Listen," I said. "You have to let me go."

"Why?"

"I can't be captured by Sadiq," I begged. "Please, don't chase after me if I run."

"Why are you asking me such a thing?" Gupta asked, looking confused.

"Please!" I begged. "Please! I need to leave, I need to get away from Sadiq. Just let me go!"

Gupta was silent for a while, contemplating my words. He looked behind him, as if expecting Sadiq to appear at any moment.

"Why should I?"

"Because…" I panted. "You're my friend."

Gupta cocked his head to the side. "Friend…?"

"Yes, a friend," I nodded quickly, backing away at the same time. "I trust you, Gupta. I know you don't really want to keep doing this for the rest of your life. So please, let me go."

Gupta thought for a second and then nodded. "You may leave. Quick, before Sadiq gets here. He probably won't take too long with Ms. Sakura…"

My eyebrows shot up. "Sakura?" I gasped.

"I know what you're thinking, Arthur," Gupta frowned, easily knowing my thoughts. "Don't do it."

"I have to go back," I said, shaking my head. "I have to…"

"Then her sacrifice will be in vain."

I looked at Gupta, my expression softening. I hated to admit it but he was right. Sakura had given herself up so I could get away and it would be all in vain if I went back. I sighed and turned away from Gupta.

"Fine," I sighed. "I'll leave. Good luck, Gupta."

He nodded at me and I was off in seconds, rushing for the nearest form of shelter. I stopped about fifteen miles later, gasping for breath. I was still worried about Sakura and I felt horrible for leaving her alone to fend off Sadiq. I paced a bit, biting my lips until they bled, while making a decision. I looked back at the area I had come from. I had to go back. She had helped me so much, I needed to repay her.

I turned on my heel, racing back to where I had seen her last. By the time I reached our rented room, the entire thing had been burned to the ground. I turned to look at the bushes we had hid behind earlier. The foliage was shredded and there were definite signs of struggle. Trees and bushes had been decimated, a tell-tale sign of a fight between two super-strong beings.

I held my breath as I went on, hoping what I would find something that would be satisfactory. The last thing I wanted to see was another person close to me dead. I pushed on further, hoping to see Sakura sometime soon… instead I found blood. My throat tightened and my breathing quickened; no, I couldn't be too late! She had to be here, she had to be alive!

I moved faster, eventually reaching the ditch I had been in a few moments ago. I stopped at the ledge overlooking the bottom, ice starting to flow in my veins.

Sakura laid in the bottom of the ditch, blood pooling onto the leaf covered ground.

"Sakura!" I gasped, running down to her beaten body.

"Arthur-san…" she mumbled, smiling up at me with foggy brown eyes. "I thought you had left…"

"I had to come back," I told her, gathering her up in my arms. "I need to take you somewhere where we can get you taken care of. We just need a doctor…"

"Iie," Sakura replied with a soft smile. "It is too late for me, Arthur-san. I was strong but Sadiq was stronger."

"N-no!" I protested. "You can't die! I still need you! Please…"

"Arthur-san, I fulfilled my promise to Athena-kun," Sakura smiled. "My purpose in your life is done. Promise me, Arthur-san that no matter what happens, you will not give in to Sadiq. If you do, you will lose everything that you have worked for up to this point."

"I won't," I sniffled. "I promise…"

"Stay safe," she whispered, squeezing my hand reassuringly. "Find somewhere safe to go. He will always be looking for you." I nodded, trying to cap the tears that wished to leak from my eyes. "It is my time, Arthur-san. I am glad to have known you."

"The pleasure was all mine," I smiled, tears rolling down my cheeks. "Thank you."

Sakura smiled at me again, her eyes slowly dulling. "It was the best I could do for someone in need. And who knows? We may meet again in another life, Arthur-san." She then turned her head to the sky, looking wistfully at the stars. "I look forward to that day…"

"Me too," I smiled, holding her hand as she faded away. "Me too…"

"Sayonara, Arthur-san," she muttered, smiling at me one last time. "Gambatte…"

"I'll see you on the other side," I smiled as her eyes glazed over and her breathing stopped.

I took a deep, shuddering breath as I let go of her hand, laying her arms across her body. Using my fingers, I closed her eyes and the wind began to cover her body with leaves. I sat in the dark by her side, tears dripping silently down my face.

That was it then. The world had taken everything I had, prying all that I loved from my fingers. I had lost my family, my friend… hell, I had lost my bloody life. My human existence had been ripped away from me, torn away like my family and Sakura. I shuddered in the cold night, my tears finding their way to the ground. I had to start over, I had to leave before Sadiq got the chance to find me again…

I wiped my tears from my face as I got to my feet, glancing back at the covered body on the ground. I willed myself to keep going and to leave it all behind me. I had to accept it.

I was alone.

Geez... I write depressing stuff... =/ But torturing Arthur and sticking him alone in the cold, cruel world is important for his character. No matter how much I torture you, I still love you Iggy. 3

I know. I'm a horrible person. ._. More will be coming soon and a Happy Thanksgiving to you guys! =)

Thanks for reading and please review!