I don't own Tegami Bachi

(Niche's P.O.V)

I was looking at Lag, wondering what he was staring at behind me. Then I felt it. Something cold, tendril like, slowly slid up my leg. Another one wrapped around my arm, then my torso. Before I knew what was happening, I was floating in the air. Then I was suddenly pulled back down, and slammed into the ground.

"Niche!" I heard Lag call out to me, but I couldn't move.

My vision was becoming blurry, there were black spots everywhere. The spots grew and grew, and then I realized it wasn't something wrong with my vision. There was this black shadow hovering over me. It didn't move, it was just a few feet away from me. The shadow started morphing together into a big ball. Then it took on a new shape, something like a snake. It moved ever so slightly, and I knew where it was aiming for. Before I could react, it came down towards me, and pierced me in the lower stomach. I felt blood rushing up my throat, and I coughed, spewing the red liquid everywhere. Lag rushed over to me, picked me up, and ran. I saw the fear evident in his eyes, and I wanted to reassure him I would be fine. I didn't know if that was true, but I wanted to ease the pain I knew he was in. I reached up, wanting to feel him, but before I could, darkness engulfed me, again.

(Lag's P.O.V)

I saw Niche coughing up blood, and I immediately rushed to her. I knew I had to get her to Dr. Thunderland Jr. I picked her up and ran. Ran through the woods, down the empty street, past drunken men, and ended up in the town square. It was empty, though the decorations and trash were left untouched. I saw Zazie and Connor and called to them. They turned to look at me and their joyful expressions turned to shock. They ran over to me, wanting to ask what happened, but I didn't have time to explain. I told them where I needed to get her, and they nodded their heads. They ran along with me, and we finally reached our destination. I rushed inside, and when Dr. Thunderland Jr. saw who I was holding in my arms, and what was done to her, he took her and went to work on her right away. I sat down with Zazie and Connor, telling them everything that happened in the forest. I was so close to tears, afraid what might happen.

It was until a few hours later that Dr. Thunderland Jr. came out from behind the closed door of his lab. I looked up at him, waiting for what he had to say.

"She's stable right now." I sighed with relief.

"She bled a lot, so much in fact, she almost didn't make it. If you want, you can see her, but she's unconscious right now."

I slowly walked past him, past the doors, and into his lab. I saw Niche lying on one of the tables. She was so pale, and looked so tiny. She had a thin blanket covering her body. Her lips were parted slightly, and her breathing was still a little ragged. I walked over to her, and pulled a chair up. I sat there, for who knows how long. It felt like hours, even days. I just sat there, staring at her, horrible memories that I tried to keep at bay, resurfacing. I was exhausted, and it overcame me so much, that I fell asleep. I dreamt of Niche, and the shadows that almost took her life.

Will this nightmare never end?

(Niche's P.O.V)

I slowly opened my eyes. I looked around, trying to figure out where I was. It was a lab, more precisely that crazy doctor's lab. I heard light breathing to my right, and felt weight holding my hand down. I turned to see Lag, sleeping. He had his head resting near my arm, and he was holding my hand. He looked peaceful, but at the same time, troubled. I wonder why? Then the memory of last night came rushing back to me. The shadows, they… attacked me. How is that possible? Why did it attack me? Many questions were rushing through my mind. I wanted answers, and I will find them.

I felt Lag stir beside me, and I looked over to him. He blinked a few times, and then sat up. It seemed like it took him a few minutes to register the fact I was awake. He looked at me, his eyes rounder then I've ever seen.

"Niche." Lag whispered.

"Yes?" I answered, unsure of what to do.

"You're awake."

"Obviously." What has gotten into him?

Before I could ask him if he was hit on the head, he jumped up from his seat a hugged me. I felt the air leave my lungs, and my bones starting to break. I thought he was going to squeeze me to death if he didn't let go soon. And by soon, I meant now.

"Lag, you're hurting me." I said.

"Sorry." Lag let go of me and smiled so brightly.

I couldn't help but smile back at him. He seemed so happy, and that feeling reciprocated back to me. Though I knew that this happiness will be short lived. Exhaustion was evident, and he was becoming pale. He seemed so stressed, so… dull. Lag was my shining light, and that light was slowly fading. The less light he shone, the more worried I became. It made me feel frustrated every time I saw how hurt he was, all because of me. I kept getting into so much trouble, and Lag was greatly affected by it. Even though he tells me not to worry, I can't help but to. I feel like I'm the one harming Lag the most. Not the trouble he seems to attract every time we deliver letters, not the gaichuu, not even the shadows that attacked me. It's all me. He should get away from me. I should run from him. But I can't. I want to stay by his side. I want him to keep smiling for me, to always be the shining light in my once dark world. Because I love him.

"Niche?" Hearing Lag's voice brought me back to reality.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Are you ok?" I saw the worried expression on Lag's face. My heart ached. It keeps telling me to stop causing him to feel this, and I tell it I know.

"I'm fine." I smile, hoping he can't see how much pain I'm in.

I will find a way. I will bring back your fading light, Lag.

You know what I just realized? This is the 21st chapter. When I saw that I was like holy shit. I never expected this to go on this long. But now it makes me a little sad thinking about how this might end one day… Let's not think about such depressing things. We'll think about waiting for the next chapter, and how exciting it'll be!

Also, I'm soooo excited because it's almost summer! I'll get to eat, sleep in, hang out with friends, and update faster! I really don't like school, it's well… boring. Not that I hate learning. I like learning about interesting stuff, if that makes sense. I'm talking too much so…

R&R