Heart and Soul 10

Marty didn't know why she was still tied to Todd. He had let John and Natalie go. She had gotten through to him. He was supposed to be okay...but she was still here...which meant that her mission wasn't over. She got a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach that Todd would hurt himself or somebody else.

Todd drove to Marty's grave. He placed the bouquet of flowers on her headstone. "I need you to know that I've never forgiven myself for what I've done to you. I came here so that you can finally have the justice that you deserve," Todd said as he pulled out a gun and pointed it at his head.

"Don't Todd. I forgive you and don't want you to die. I wish that you could see and hear me," Marty said as she begun to cry. She had never told him that she forgave him while she was still alive and now she didn't know how to stop him from killing himself.

Todd stopped. He stood there frozen wondering if he was beginning to lose the rest of his sanity. He was certain that he could hear Marty talking to him. Maybe it was just wishful thinking on his part. If she was here she wouldn't have forgiven him for the unforgivable. He began to squeeze the trigger when suddenly he saw her. She stood before him like an angel. She had never looked more radiant. "Marty?" he questioned.

"Todd, can you see and hear me?" Marty asked hoping that her silent prayers had been answered.

"I think so."

"Todd, you have to listen to me. I've been with you this whole time since I died. I wasn't able to leave your side and now I know why. I was meant to save you from killing yourself."

"I don't want to live without you Marty and I don't deserve redemption after what I did to you."

"Don't you see Todd, you're always going to have a piece of me with you. You have my heart now," Marty said as she placed her hand over their heart. I've forgiven you Todd. "I forgave you a long time ago and if I can forgive you then you need to forgive yourself. You've changed from the person that you were into somebody who can and already has earned redemption. Obviously God hasn't given up on you, otherwise I wouldn't be here, so do me a favor and promise me that you won't give up on yourself."

"I promise, Marty," Todd said as he dropped the gun to the ground.

Marty saw a light that was calling her to her new home. "I have to go Todd, but remember that I'm always right here with you, I love you Todd," Marty said as she kissed him.

"I love you too Marty," Todd said. He watched her disappear into the light until only darkness remained. He knew that he would be okay, he would always have a piece of her with him and he was determined to continue to be worthy of her forgiveness.

The end.