A Blossom In The Winter- Chapter 11; Not Your Fault

servant123: God bless you! Thanks for the review

Pokemonchen: No she's not Cinderella it's a play on stories.

SittingByTheSeaside: Sorry about the cliffhangers. I love you for reviewing

Likemutemath: I looked up the song and its fantastic! You'll see what happens, I hope I can answer all your questions. Love you and the review.

ThePeskyNargle: Jenn222 is still writing though she's been slacking ;)Oh you'll see how involved Nicole is...

PrincessCutiepie: Sorry cliffies are just so tempting as a writer. DONT TEAR OUT YOUR HAIR! im sorry, no more cliffhangers...well thats probably a lie. Actually it is a lie.

werewolfchick1299: Nope N's not Nicole. Looove you! I've enjoyed writing her story and developing her. Thanks for being an awesome reader!

Thank you MyLove1508 for following

Love you all- Read on!

Ash POV:
I whipped around bracing myself for who N could be, was it someone I knew or a random stranger? The girl standing before me was most definitely a stranger but examining her provided me with a strong sense of deja vu. She had dark brown almost black hair and cold, creepy, dark eyes. I had a feeling I'd seen her or met someone who looked like her before.

"Hello Ashton." She spoke again in her cool amused but wicked voice.

"Hi, do I know you?" I asked in irritation. "Because you're acting like I've made your life a living hell and I honestly don't remember doing something that awful to anyone, so..."

"Don't remember!" She screeched at me. I took a step back and held my hands up.

"Woah. Calm dow-"

"I won't calm down!" She screamed again, dark eyes flashing. "You killed him." She accused, pointing her finger at me. "And you too." Her finger moved to point at Damian. We both looked at her like she was insane. Which she was. I hadn't killed anyone except Argathus, but he was an evil sorcerer so I really didn't see a connection here.

"Who did we kill?" Damian asked confused. I shot him a 'thank you' look because that's exactly what I had been about to ask her.
"Who!" She glared at us. If looks could kill... "My father. That's who." Damian and I shared a look, I put a finger to my ear and circled it around in the 'crazy' motion. This seemed to make N even angrier.

"My father was Argathus, the mighty sorcerer." My eyes went wide and realization knocked me in the head. Now I could understand why she hated me and Damian.

"Listen N-" I began but was soon cut off.

"My name is Netheralie. My father was a great sorcerer and you murdered him. I am going to get revenge on all of you!" N threatened in the same screech she seemed to be rather fond of.

"Okay, Netheralie. Look we didn't exactly mean to kill your father. He attacked us first!" I said with anger. This was ridiculous, that man was evil and tried to kill me and Damian.

"What do George... and Nicole even have to do with this?" Damian called out. "Ash and I are the ones who killed Argathus, let them free and do what you want with us."

I turned and glared at Damian. Okay the first part of that sentence made sense but the whole 'Do what you want with us' part wasn't working for me. Plus Damian really shouldn't remind her of the whole 'killed her father' situation because it appeared to make her apoplectic.

"George is going to die and you will watch. That's your first punishment. Someone I cared about died, now someone you care about will die." Netheralie grinned vilely.

"Wait, first punishment?" I was very concerned by this, however Damian didn't seem to be as worried as he spoke over me.

"What about Nicole? She is an innocent bystander." I frowned at Damian. Great he still cared about the stupid little priss. Both Netheralie and I scoffed at the 'innocent bystander' remark. I'm glad someone agreed with me about Nicole, even if that someone was a psycho, killer, revenge seeking sorceress.

Netheralie began to laugh. "Nicole is anything but innocent. Isn't that right Nic." The sorceress flicked her hand the girl became free and floated down to her feet. She smiled a little uncertainly.

"Right." Nicole just stood on the ground looking between all of us and biting her lip. I glared at her.

"I knew it!" I yelled aiming an accusing finger towards her. "I knew you were a lying little fake bitc-" My sentence was broke by Netheralie interjecting over me. Why did people keep doing that to me? It's really annoying and I'm already fairly angry.

"Nic here is an actress, a rather good one, that I hired to help get you here and turn you against each other. You see she has a spell placed on her that makes Damian love her and hate Ash." Netheralie explained, proud that she had thought up that plan all herself.
Suddenly everything made sense. Damian didn't like Nicole! Damian was under a spell it wasn't his fault that he'd been ignoring me, it was all Netheralie's fault. My anger began to rise to a new level. I was beyond mad and I had just passed the furious notch. How dare Netheralie make me think my best friend hated me. She forced me to feel alone and hopeless. My hands curled into fists and my jaw clenched. I wanted to throw myself at her and rip out her hair, after I'd attack Nicole.

Netheralie didn't appear to notice my rapidly growing anger and continued to tell us her plan like all villains feel they must. Which never made sense to me. Whenever a villain explained their plan it always helped the good guys concoct some brilliant plan.

"You both get to watch George die and then Damian is going to kill Ash because Nicole will instruct him to. Once he realizes what he's done he'll end up killing himself either physically or emotionally because he won't be able to live with himself. Who would, if they caused their brothers death and murdered the love of their life?" I stared at Netheralie, unable to speak or do anything. She was corrupt, pure, complete, utter evil trapped into one body. Damian didn't seem to be in as much shock as me because he was able to shout at Netheralie.

"I won't kill Ash. You won't be able to make me. Nicole has no control over me."

"Want to bet?" Netheralie spoke confidently. I didn't want to bet. I was absolutely frightened for my life, George's life and Damian's life. I didn't doubt that Nicole could force Damian to kill me. He would do it with a smile on his face and humming a happy tune if she asked him to. I gaped, mouth open slightly, looking between everyone in the room. George had sand up to his neck and I saw no way out.

I was stumped and couldn't think of anyway to get out of this alive. I wouldn't get out out alive but what if the other's could. I was compelled to save the others even if I was unable to save myself. Suddenly I got an idea on how to keep everyone else alive, everyone except myself. I had to get Netheralie to make Damian kill me now. She'd give him some sword or dagger and then he could break George out just before he died.

"You're bluffing." I said with false confidence and rolled my eyes at her for effect. "Damian wouldn't kill me. You aren't strong enough or smart enough to force him to." I said it smugly, teasing her. And to my satisfaction and absolute horror it worked.

She let out a scream of frustration. "Nicole do it now!"

"But I thought-" The girl began to say, trying to ruin my plan without realizing it. I cut her off and taunted more.

"See she can't do it and everyone knows it." I sang.

Netheralie screamed, "Now!" at Nicole. Nicole ran to Damian's side and began to whisper in his ear. Damian had been staring at me like I was as nuts as Netheralie before Nicole began to whisper in his ear. It upset me that she was so close to him, so near and causing him to hate me at that exact moment.

Damian had a determined look on his face. He was trying to resist I could see it. I glanced at George who was standing on his tiptoes and starting to swallow sand. Damian couldn't drag this out longer, he needed to let go. It was required that he kill me before George died that way he could save both of them.

"Nicole is stupid!" I called out hoping it would result in him losing control. I succeeded in what I had hoped for. Damian's face contorted completely and he began fighting his chains trying to get at me.

Netheralie waved her hand and Damian's chains fell to the ground. With another wave of her hand a long glistening dagger was placed in his hand. Again I peaked over at George, I couldn't see him any longer. I ran forward and so did Damian. We met in the middle and he shoved me down. I did little to protect myself although I my mind screamed for me to. I took a deep breath preparing myself for the inevitable.

"Save George" I whispered into Damian's ear. He raised his dagger high above his head, pure anger in his eyes and began to bring it down. I heard a cackle from Netheralie. As the long knife surged towards me i whispered one last thing to him. I needed to, had to because I knew if I didn't he'd live with the guilt forever. I yearned for him to have the will to forgive himself after this.

"It's not your fault." I squeezed my eyes shut ready for death to take me.

Jeez I really have a Cliffhanger problem don't I... I apologize for it but they are just so tempting, and they keep you reviewing and coming back! Hope you aren't confused and you enjoyed the chapter. Tell me what you think.

This chapter was around 1,600 words! Pretty good right?

Peace. Love. Coughdrops. (I have an awful cough that won't go away)

-Jenn