He opened the door to her room, shrouded in darkness, with only a small light to illuminate her sleeping form. She was attached to all manner of tubes and machines, and her breathing was labored and difficult. As he approached her, he saw her beautiful face, battered and cut, and his heart twisted in agony. He lay a hand against her cheek, but she did not wake.
He took a seat by her bed and looked at her. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I feel responsible for this in some way. I know it's not my fault, it's not anyone's fault, but…it seems like a punishment on you for loving me. Or perhaps, if I might be selfish at such a time, a punishment on me for allowing myself to hope. To hope that I could be cured, that I could be loved, that I could have a life of joy and happiness with a beautiful woman, a beautiful angel, someone I was never worthy of. I'm so sorry, Natalie."
She didn't wake. "You were right, you know," he whispered. "I was afraid. I'm ashamed to admit it, I'm meant to be the Master of Fear, but…I was afraid of loving you. Of letting anyone get too close to me…I was afraid of the pain it would bring if they ever got taken away. Perhaps the realization of my fear is my just reward for letting the fear master me. I was afraid of hurting you too. I was afraid of seeing the love and adoration in your eyes, something I have never seen in anyone's eyes, gradually turn to hatred and loathing. For what else do I deserve? What else does any man deserve who would not sacrifice everything for such an angel, such a treasure in his midst…oh God, Natalie!" he cried suddenly, seizing her hands. "Please," he whispered. "Please don't leave me! I do need you, I need you more than anything else in the world, and if you go…my pain will consume me. And I will have no outlet for it but to make others suffer as I have suffered. For what does anyone fear more than losing someone they love? And I love you, Natalie. I can't bear to lose you. Please…please don't leave me alone again."
He touched her face, and gently bent down to kiss her. She drew a deep breath and opened her eyes. They lit up in joy at seeing him. "Professor?" she whispered, raggedly.
"I'm here, child," he murmured. "I'm here."
She beamed. "You are," she whispered, clasping his hand. "It's a miracle. I dreamed it, and…it came true. I'm so glad. I wanted you to be here…at the end."
He shook his head. "No, my angel," he murmured. "It's not the end, not yet. You will recover, you…"
But the look in her eyes told him otherwise. "People sometimes know when they're going to die," she whispered. "I know it now. But…I'm not afraid of it, Professor. I'm not afraid of anything with you here. I never was. You always made me feel safe. I don't think you'll ever know how much you meant to me, but I like to think that…after I'm gone, I'll be able to be near you, or watching over you, somewhere where I can let you know."
He smiled sadly. "I do not believe that will be possible, child," he murmured. "I do not believe that angels are allowed to come back to hell, once they have returned to heaven."
"There are guardian angels," she whispered. "Perhaps I will be one of them. It's the only hope I have left now."
He pressed her hand. "I have no hope now if you leave me," he murmured.
"Then I will never leave you," she replied, smiling. "Please don't be afraid anymore, Professor. I will always be with you. I promise."
Her breathing became heavier, and tears came to her eyes. "I love you, Jonathan," she whispered.
"I love you too, Natalie," he murmured, bending over and kissing her forehead. "Sleep now, child. There is no need to fear anymore."
When he drew away from her, her eyes were closed and her breathing had stopped. But there was a peaceful smile on her face, a smile of joy and happiness. Crane stared at her face through tear-stained eyes, wanting to remember every detail of it, wanting to remember that she was smiling because of him. Nobody would ever smile because of him anymore. They would only scream in terror, in pain, in anguish. They would know his agony. That was all the happiness he had left now.