Ib trudged behind Garry, her features were that of a scowl. He looked at her, a sad smile stretching across his lips before he wait for her to catch up to him. He knew she was purposely trying to walk slowly, as if to prolong the time they had together, but the fact she was sulking made the time start to drain away. When she walked beside him, he reached for her hand and she let him take it, and he stroked her hand as he clutched it tightly. She rested her head on his shoulder, spying his blue rose in the inside pocket of his coat. Its ten petals were silky and smooth and just plain perfect. She had also realized, with disappointment, that she still only had five petals.

Oh well.

They continued to walk, coming across certain puzzles involving paintings of a night sky that had lost a star, who took them to a tunnel leading to a woman asking the name of the painting of the lady taking out her newspaper. It was different than last time, Ib had noted, and then it struck her while looking at her own red rose,

Where was Kane?

She decided not to worry Garry though. She hoped he'd forget him and jump through the portrait with her. But then she remembered the nightmare she'd had a few nights ago.

I will never let that happen, she thought, her eyes gleaming in determination. I will not let Kane take Garry's rose!

As Kane and the doll strode into various different rooms and solving many puzzles (the doll did most of the work), he finally saw a portrait. It was of a young girl, around nine years of age, holding a young man's hand. The same young man as The Forgotten Portrait.

As Garry.

He sent his fist flying towards it, and it shimmered. It turned to a portrait of Garry and Ib, now older, holding hands as they laughed and talked. He felt his breath become deeper in anger.

They will both pay, Kane thought.

I threatened to burn Garry in front of her eyes. I saw the fear and pain illuminated in them. I wonder what his reaction would be?

A man who's loved one died trying to save him.

Who leapt through a portrait to set him free.

Who defied the man who loved her just to be with him.

Kane clutched his rose tighter, the thorns pressing into his palm and he felt small drops of blood run down his arms. He was going to find them.

And make them pay.

It had been about eight hours since they had set off, and both of them were tired. They'd come a long way, solving puzzles and clues much quicker than the last time. Nine years ago, they'd got out in about two days. They were discussing how one day might be possible for them.

They decided to call it a night. As they settled down in a room full of books, Ib rest her head on his shoulder and he chuckled, resting his head on hers. She gripped his coat, wishing to never let go.

"Say… Garry?"

"Yes?"

"Before you came to the gallery the first time, what was your life like?"

"Hm. Let's see. I was…well I am eighteen. It was for the Guertena assignment they do every year. I was just looking around. I saw the piece The Fabricated World and read it aloud. Next thing I knew, I was being chased by one of the Lady In Blue's, and got my rose taken. Then…" He said, grinning at her. "I met you."

"Do you think your family missed her?"

A pause.

"I… didn't really have family. My father never married my mum and left when she was pregnant with me. When I was sixteen, she was involved with a car accident and died. I lived on my own since then. My mother's parents had died, she had no siblings or cousins. She was an only child, as were here parents before her."

"You had no one?"

"That's right. And then I met you. I felt like I had a chance to do something with my life, you know? I could help a young girl who'd been torn from reality, into somewhere a girl like that should never be. That's why…"
Silence.

"That's why you gave Mary your rose?"

"Yeah."

"Idiot," she murmured. She then looked at him. "I've decided. I'm staying with you."

"What? Ib-!"

"I've decided. If you won't come back then I'll stay!"

"What about your parents?"

She sighed, before smiling and looking at him, "father would tell me to follow my hopes and dreams. He'd tell me never to give up, and to keep moving in the direction I want to. Mother always said that if I ever found a special someone, to never let them go as long as I loved them."

Garry grinned, kissing her forehead before gently sliding his coat from his shoulders. He pulled it over both of their bodies in an attempt to keep them warm. They then both fell asleep in one another's arms.

Ib awoke to the sound of a scuffle. She looked to her side, about to awake Garry before she realized her wasn't there. Her eyes widened in panic, her eyes scanning the room as they rested on Garry, a knife being held to his throat by a palette knife. She recognized the attacker as Kane. Her eyes filled with tears as she stood up, spying Garry's coat laying on the ground, the inside pocket ripped open and the rose gone. She swallowed, looking at Kane with a pleading look in her eyes.

"Kane, please…"

"Please what?" He smirked, the knife getting closer to Garry's throat. He was unconscious, and Ib noticed a bruise on the side of his head. She gulped down tears as her voice trembled,

"Please let Garry go."

"Fine."

He threw Garry away and Ib ran forward, catching him. His weight was pushed onto her arm, and she gave a small hiss of pain. She gently lowered him to the ground, stepping over him protectively. Kane laughed, the blue rose in his hands.

"Your favourite rose colour is blue, right?"

"I like red…but…I like blue even more..."

"Yes." Ib replied.

"Well, mine is red."

Ib felt her blood run cold. She knew what he was going to ask. Her nightmare was right. He was just like Mary.

"So… do you want to swap Blue for Red, Ib?"

"Say Garry… want to trade your rose for Ib's?"

She had to be strong. She had to stay strong for Garry. To back away now would be selfish and extremely unquestionable. Garry was the most precious thing to her. Plus… Kane wouldn't kill her… right?

Ib nodded slowly. Kane grinned, advancing forwards, outstretching his free hand for her rose as he held out Garry's in front of him. She exchanged, holding Garry's rose close to her as Kane looked at hers and burst out laughing, "only five petals? That's pretty pathetic."

She ignored him before glaring at him, "Well, what now?"

"I'm going to go try and escape," Kane said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Say… I wonder what they'll say when they never find your corpse, Ib."

She did not reply. Instead, she stared at the ground. He chuckled darkly, walking back.

"I will meet you at the exit. You will have one petal remaining at that time, guaranteed. If you agree to marry me, I'll let you come back with me. If not? I will kill you then finish off your boyfriend. Up to you."

The next time Ib looked up, Kane was gone.

A/N: The End! Did you enjoy?!...

...Haha just kidding :D! Hope you're enjoying it so far, thanks for all the reviews, views and support!

-Ella