PART THREE


"You gave them your train ticket! Are you mad?!"

"It's what they wanted. Chihiro would've been taken to His realm otherwise, you know that."

"But if my sister finds out you're still here-"

"Yu-baaba will know nothing. You understand? Nothing!"

"I understand, Haku, but-"

"If she finds out, I'll be sent away and Chihiro will have no chance in getting a ticket."

"That girl must have a ticket, we can't let…Haku! Haku, she's awake!"

When I opened my eyes

"Don't just gawk at her, you stupid boy! Get some water!"

I had no idea who I was…

"Chihiro? Chihiro drink some of this…it'll help, sweety, I promise."

Or why I was lying in a bed

And having ice cold water forced down my throat

"Don't drown her you old hag! Let her breathe!"

But when I heard a voice

Deeper and younger than the first

"Chihiro? You alright? Can you hear me?"

I felt recognition stir

Somewhere deep within my chest

"Stay with her, Haku, I need to get something warmer for her head."

The bed sagged

And I felt his fingers brush

So softly

Across my forehead

"You're safe now. I won't let you get hurt again, I promise."

With a tug to my heart

I remembered Hidaka

And the bullet hole in the very spot

My long lost dragon boy was brushing

His fingers so gently across

"Here, sit up…I'll help you, just relax."

With a squirm in my stomach

I remembered Nanashi

Dead, not long after he had held me

Just as Kohaku was doing

His heart beating, so very alive, in my ear

"Put this across her forehead; she's ice cold."

What's going on?

Am I dreaming?

"Did you tell her, Haku?"

I must be dreaming

I must be dead

I must be drunk

I must be dead

I must be high

I have to be dead

I can't be dead

"You died, Chihiro."

My God


I ' m d e a d ?