After about 13 chapters the middle part of the story has come to an end with chapter 25. I'm not sure how many chapters will come after this one, but there's still some things that need to happen.

Please review, and let me know what you think!

Chapter 25

Mello returned after some time to the control room. Luckily Amanda and Casper started talking with each other about other things than Demons and possible Angels. Instead they were discussing what to do with their new freedom that was just around the corner.

'So… I was thinking…' Casper began. 'What if we'd stay together after all this?'

Amanda raised an eyebrow. 'Stay together?'

Mello caught Matt's eye and stared at him and back at the two. His eyes silently asking what was going on.

Matt shrugged and gestured for him to sit down next to himself.

'Yes, since it's been a long time we've actually been outside, and we don't know anyone else… at least I don't,' Casper explained nervously. 'I mean you are one of the most courageous women I've ever met and I'm not exactly the bravest guy out there.'

Amanda chuckled. 'Yes, I know you're a pussy.'

'That was not what I was saying!'

'Yes, you were.'

Mello turned to Matt and whispered: 'What is he trying to do?'

'I think he's trying to ask Amanda to stay with him, because he may like her a lot,' Matt replied just as quiet.

Mello blinked. 'Well, that's a surprise. I didn't see that one coming.'

Matt almost rolled his eyes at the blond. 'Why else would he try and keep Amanda behind him to protect her against Beyond earlier? He did that even though he almost pissed himself.'

'Ah, you've got a point there.'

'… need to know. Would you like to help me survive in the mysterious side of the world we missed for years? It's fine if you say no, of course! I know it's all of the sudden–'

'Alright.'

Casper's eyes widened in surprise. 'Really?'

Amanda nodded and presented him with a small smile that said enough.

Hands were clapping as if giving an applause. Amanda and Casper first turned to were Matt sat with Mello, but it wasn't them. Matt had already seen a shadow moving strangely in the corner of his eye, and it appeared that Beyond had returned.

'Bravo!' he cheered happily. 'That was almost adorable enough to make me puke.'

'Enough, Beyond! It's not your business,' Matt said. 'It's been hours ago when we made that deal. Do you have an alternative? We haven't got much time left before Ross most certainly will look for us again.'

'Yeah, yeah, don't be so impatient. I've got something for you.'

Beyond grabbed a big backpack that Matt hadn't noticed yet and opened it to show its contents. A few gas masks and two vials filled with two kinds of liquid. One transparent like water while the other had a greenish hue to it.

The Demon took both vials and held them up so everyone could see them. 'These two vials contain liquids that are considerably harmless. When put together though, it will create a gas almost invisible when it's in the air.' He smiled darkly and added: 'This gas will affect the lungs and damage them beyond repair the moment you breath it in, and a slow death by suffocation will follow. Let them breathe this in and it's bye bye!'

Beyond threw the backpack full of masks at Casper who caught them just in time. Luckily the Demon was smart enough to carefully give the two vials to Matt and to not throw them as well.

'Does this mean I've done my part?' Beyond asked.

Matt held the two vials, and studied them with interest. 'Yes, you have.'

Red eyes gleamed of amusement and a grin pulled at his lips. 'Well then, I'll go and watch what those men are doing… and wait until the fun starts.'

Casper, who had tried to ignore the Demon, was busy with inspecting one of the gas masks when he turned to Matt. 'I think I've got an idea how we could circulate the gas around all the underground hallways and rooms.' He handed the gas mask to Amanda, probably done with inspecting it. 'There are airshafts to let fresh air in. They are connected with each other so if we do those two liquids together in the air vent in here, the gas will spread to everywhere.'

Matt nodded. 'Sounds like a good plan to me.'

'When are we starting the plan?' Amanda asked curiously.

'Now,' Mello replied. 'If we wait any longer Ross could be back for me or who knows in what for mood he is after what happened… It's too dangerous to wait.'

Everyone silently agreed. It was too dangerous to wait indeed. The masks were passed down to the four of them. There were just enough gas masks.

Matt took a deep breath. 'Alright… let's put the masks on and don't waste any more time. It's do or die!'

'I'd rather leave the die part out, thank you very much!' Casper said.

Eventually the masks were on, and Matt went to the air vent high above the floor. He needed a chair to reach it, but the vent was easily to be removed so he could see into the airshaft. Matt brought the vials next to each other, and dared to look down one last time into the control room. Amanda, Casper and Mello gave him a thumbs up to let him know they were ready.

He opened the first vial with the clear substance. Then the one with the slight greenish hue.

This better work, Beyond…

He tilted both vials down and the liquid made a small pool in the airshaft. Quickly a reaction was seen as small bubbles started to form.

Matt jumped off the chair and dropped the vials out of his hands. They weren't needed anymore. He heard Mello say something, but the words were unclear through the mask. When the blond saw Matt couldn't hear him, he ticked a finger on his wrist where a watch could've been.

Understanding that Mello asked if they had to wait, he shrugged as an answer. Honestly he had no idea how long it would take to spread around the underground hiding place. After waiting for what felt like two minutes he gestured to start moving.

Their running footsteps echoed through the hallways. It seemed like every sound only increased in volume as they had still no idea what to expect.

To get to the only door that led to their freedom, they had to pass the main room. Matt stopped for a moment to peek around the door into the room and saw most of the men, including Marcel and his team, and Ross. They were too busy to notice him though. Coughing, wheezing and some cursing for those who still could were the only thing the men did.

Matt smiled, pleased to know Beyond had spoken the truth.

He rushed to follow the others, only to see them standing in front of a closed door. Mello even kicked it out of frustration. Amanda saw Matt and pointed at the lock.

Ah… of course the door would be locked! Why didn't we think about it earlier?

Matt ran back to the main room where at this point some men dropped to the floor or some were already unmoving. Footsteps behind him let him know the others had followed him. It wasn't necessary since he could get what he wanted alone.

As expected one of the nearest men on the floor had a gun on him. Matt took it, and quickly retreated back to the hallway. The gun could be useful to shoot the lock with it.

Just when he moved a few steps forward a muffled scream from Mello caught his attention, and he turned to the Angel. One second later a loud bang pierced through the air, and he felt a bullet flying past his head.

He jerked around, gun ready to fire. Ross lay on the ground with his gun in his hand. The large man was barely breathing, but when his eyes moved from Matt to something behind him, a smirk crossed his face just before his eyes turned back into his head. His gun fell out of his limp hand.

More muffled screaming caused Matt to turn in the direction where Ross had looked before.

The bullet had missed him…

… but it had hit Amanda instead.

Matt gasped in shock at the sight. The bullet had hit her mask, and it didn't went through. What did happen was a large crack in the mouth piece of the mask.

The gas mask is too damaged to work properly. She can't get fresh air!

Amanda clawed in panic at her mask and threw it off. Since she hadn't been able to catch a breath since the mask cracked, the first thing she did was gasping for air… but they were still inside the underground hiding place full of deadly gas.

Matt rushed at Amanda's side and supported her by throwing an arm around her middle. Without hanging around much longer he dragged the woman with him to the closed door. At this point Amanda had thrown an arm on his shoulders and she tripped continuously.

'Matt,' she wheezed. 'Too… late… hha.'

He couldn't reply, so he shook his head. No! It can't be too late! We're almost outside.

He pointed the gun at the lock and shot. Mello helped him by giving the door one last kick and the door was finally open. Amanda had trouble with standing by herself and they had to climb the stairs to the surface. Casper quickly noticed the problem and got to Amanda's other side. Together they helped her up the stairs. Mello had ran in front of them to look out for any other men.

Finally, after what felt like weeks but could've been only days, they reached the ground floor. It was dark in the factory, but it wasn't hard to find their way out. Resting while still in the factory above that horrible place was not an option.

When they got outside the stars in the night sky greeted them. It would've been an amazing moment if only one of them wasn't slowly suffocating because of their own plan.

Matt kneeled down on the ground and gently laid down Amanda who's chest was going up and down quickly in an attempt to get enough air. Casper kneeled down on her other side and held her hand in his own.

'You were going to help me survive…' Casper whispered hoarsely. His voice affected by the tears that began to spill. 'You can't die! You're finally free after all those years of suffering just to survive!'

Amanda's lips had begun to turn into an unhealthy shade of blue. Her mouth formed words that she couldn't speak because of the lack of air. Still the words were clear as day. 'I'm sorry.'

Her eyes slowly closed, the stars reflecting one more time in her warm brown eyes before they shut completely.

Casper shook his head, his silent tears turned to sobbing. 'No, don't close your eyes! Please…'

Matt stared at the brave woman who managed to survive on her own for so long. The woman who saved his life all those years ago, and who had just returned into his life. One thing was sure. Life wasn't fair. Amanda deserved to be loved and live happily ever after.

She stopped moving and her muscles relaxed. Casper still held her hand and it didn't look like he would let go soon. A hand brushed softly away the tears that Matt hadn't noticed yet. He turned his head to see Mello looking at him with sad eyes, and the Angel pulled him into a hug.

It just isn't fair.