Chapter 26

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Alan figured he knew Eric's next move from here. Ciel was just his tool for escape, he wouldn't harm him. He would probably tie him up to keep Sebastian off him longer but that was all. He probably wouldn't even use the front entrance but a window off one of the top floors to escape via the roof. That gave him plenty of time to get out of this dress and back into normal attire. He was glad he brought his things with him when he left the mansion. Running to the carriage he came in he burst the door open to see his clothes folded nicely on the seat where he left them and his death scythe in the corner as best it fit. Perfect. Getting this dress off as quickly as possible he was never so happy to have pants on. He never wanted to have to wear something like that again. Dressed he headed to the roof, to Eric, he would get the truth from him, or he would die trying.
"I'm coming for you Eric; I won't let you run any longer."

Eric opened the window from the fourth floor after leaving Ciel in the basement. He was unharmed just tied up so he couldn't get in his way for a few extra seconds while he made his escape. He couldn't hurt him because not only would it not help his cause but he helped Alan by taking care of him these past few days. Climbing to the roof he debated which way to go, which way would help him escape faster yet stay in the shadows better. Choosing the side that brought on different levels from the design crevices he took off. The sooner he got out of here the better. Running down and across he got closer and closer to the edge, only a Death God could pull off and survive the jump he was about to do to reach the roof of a far off neighbor.
"Eric!" His body froze as he heard that voice from behind. He wasn't directly behind him but he had been spotted. Damn, he should have known Alan would find him so easily. He knew him the best, always had.
"You were collecting souls! Is that right? Please answer me." He saw he had stopped running from him, he looked almost defeated as he saw his shoulders slouch, maybe he would listen to him for a change. "Why are you collecting souls?" Not getting an answer or any form of acknowledgement he made his way down to him. It didn't look like he was going to start running again. "If you need souls that badly then…then take mine too!"
Eric turned to see what Alan was planning. He didn't like what he had just heard. Seeing him looking at his blade and eyeing it more then he liked he panicked.
"Alan. Don't be stupid! Stop it!"
"It doesn't matter; my life won't last for long anyway."
Angling the blade to his chest, moving his jacket so it would have less to go through he aimed for his heart.
"I told you to stop!" He felt Eric grab the handle and try to pull it away from him before it got closer to its destination. "If you die, then all I have done up till now will be meaningless!" Realizing what he just said his eyes went wide, what did he just do? Any chance of Alan accepting the souls had just vanished.
"Eric…" Alan felt his grip loosen, his jaw opened wide. He thought so but to hear him say that shook him to the core. Giving up his hold on his weapon he fell to his knees.
"I have been thinking about this…so it is like this after all…" His mind flooded with all the facts it came across in the past of why Eric would kill, all of the signs he would attempt something like this. Eric dropped Alan's blade as he turned from him. He couldn't face him with him now knowing the truth. He already felt guilty for all he had done and for failing Alan and now he could tell he had failed him again. Alan would never forgive him, would never accept the souls in exchange with living.
"Only with a thousand souls, the deadly curse can be lifted…against the price of a foolish sin…" Standing he pieced everything together; the memories of learning of this legend came flooding back. Somehow Eric had learned of it as well and decided to attempt it.
"I have heard of this rumor. By collecting a thousand pure souls, one could escape from the fate brought by the Thorns of Death, but that is only folklore!"
He had to be wrong, Eric wouldn't risk everything, risk being together on something that may not even be true.
"If only I could obtain one thousand souls, Alan!" Moving to Alan he placed his hands on his shoulders, griping him tightly, trying to get him to understand why he attempted this, why he had to try. "Then you can be saved!" He needed to understand that he couldn't let him go, he couldn't live without him, he needed him in his life forever.
"But it's just a folklore!" Alan couldn't understand why Eric would do something like this. They loved each other sure but for things to come out like this, it only bought them each more pain.

"Even if it is only a folklore, it is still the only way I know how to save you." Letting go of Alan he moved away from him. Maybe it was time to finally start telling him the truth of how he felt towards him, why he loved him so much, why "I love you" wasn't strong enough. Alan tried to go to him only to stop unsure what to say. He didn't know what to do. He saw Eric walk away but he didn't seem to be leaving.
"No matter how slim that chance is…I will take it…"
"Eric…" Alan watched him from a far as Eric started to finally open up to him in ways he never had before. This was the man he had seen every time he looked into his eyes. He was finally coming through to the surface.
"Eternal life…" Glancing over at him he knew Alan could see the sadness his soul held for this life. "Our eternal life…is pure darkness, after so much effort. After so much effort I have finally found…a tiny ray of light!" Eric stood near the edge of the roof and looked at the city below him; saw that even that was shrouded in darkness. Alan couldn't believe what he had just heard. Was he Eric's ray of light that he talked about? Could he do that for a person? He wanted to wrap his arms around him and never let him go.
"Eric," He knew what he had to do now, his heart and mind were made up, and none of this could continue. "I won't let you kill anymore…" The words hurt him maybe because that meant that all he would be slated for was death, or maybe because he couldn't believe he was actually saying them to Eric, or maybe because he couldn't guarantee Eric would accept them. Eric hated walking away but he had to. He tried to get Alan to understand but he just wasn't able to get through to him. Get him to see that he couldn't live without him, especially an eternal life.
"But…" He stopped hearing Alan's voice reaching out for him. He could never walk away when he spoke to him. "Until the moment comes that my flame of life extinguishes, please let me stay by your side! That flame of life will become a mere imprint, even after I have disappeared, it will still illuminate your road ahead."
"Alan…" His heart fluttered by Alan's words, he still wanted to be with him even after all he had done. How could he have ended up with someone with such a big heart? With someone as perfect as him?
With a smile he moved closer to Eric, they had spent enough time apart.
"Eric, you know the rules of the Dispatch right? Rule number one; Death Gods must wear glasses. You and me, we're exemplary Death Gods, we obey the rules." Bringing his hands to his glasses he struggled with himself to go through with this. He wanted Eric though; he wanted to spend the rest of his life with him. As much as he loved his job he loved Eric more. With that decision he took his glasses off his face.
"W…why? Why would you oppose the Death God Dispatch Society too?" What was Alan thinking? He loved his job, he had a perfect record there, and no one would stop him from working there again. He had plans to achieve so much he couldn't just give them up like that. Not for someone like him.

Looking at his glasses in his hands, at what he had really done, he smiled at Eric, letting him see he was happy with this choice. He would have done it sooner if Eric had told him all of this sooner.
"This case has not ended yet, you are still my partner."
"Alan…" Those words, he never thought he would hear Alan say that after everything that he done to him. After telling him everything Alan had a bright, beautiful smile on his face, even as he could tell he was slightly unsure what to do next. All Alan did know what that he was happy and he had Eric in his life again.
"I really can't see anything without my glasses on. Even your face is blurry." It was funny thinking about it, he couldn't see Eric's face but he had never been happier now that Eric was back in his life again. It was a good thing he had committed his face to memory so even if his eyes made him blurry his mind would see him perfectly. Yet he still thought that he could put these back on and let everything resume as it was.
"I have not been seeing too clearly either…not seeing how stubborn you could be." With one hand he easily, without a second thought removed his glasses. He had Alan, he needed nothing else.
That was it then, they were in this together, until the very end. "Well then, let's go." With no more doubt over anything else, knowing he wanted nothing else but Eric he ran past him to where they left their weapons. He wanted to leave this place before anyone found them and got in their way.
"Me, who is covered with sins…can I really be at your side?" Alan was still so pure hearted while he was a sinner. Whether the killings had been for good intent or not the facts were the same, he was a murderer.
"Didn't I say so already? I can't see anything without my glasses. All your sins up till now, are invisible now."
He felt his lungs take a deep breath with Alan's words; he was actually being forgiven for all he had done by the only person he needed it from. He didn't hate him the way he thought he would. He really wanted them to stick together. Following Alan they gathered their weapons and met on a flat piece of the roof. With a look at the glasses they were still holding they knew what they had to do next. While Eric could say good-bye to the society he knew it really meant something to Alan, it wasn't as easy for Alan, who had hopes and dreams at that place. Alan could still feel doubt in himself over what he was about to do. There was no turning back once this was done. He would spend the rest of his life on the run with Eric as an enemy from the society. But, even so, he had Eric in his life, anything else wasn't as important. Going into his suit pocket he pulled out a white handkerchief and unfolded it to place it gently on the roof. Together they took one last look at their decision, the future they were stepping into and what they were leaving behind forever. For once you quit the Death God Dispatch Society you never went back.

Eric could see the memories of his entire time there flash before his eyes, the gratitude he felt for the council on letting him live and join and how he felt when he first met Alan, how his life had forever changed after that first encounter. Alan looked over at him worried for him knowing how hard it had been for him to join the society and stay in it. Seeing each other's eyes and knowing in their hearts that this was what they wanted they silently okayed this. Alan placed his down first before he had any more time to debate this and hopefully encourage Eric to do the same. That they could get through the coming future together. Eric watched how hard this was for Alan, brave face or not. He really hoped he was worth everything he was giving up. Ready he looked over at Eric and smiled just enough to show him he was ready to go and that this was what he wanted. Together they stood and took their leave off of the roof and their old lives. Following Eric they made their escape through London and the headed to the start of their new life.

Ronald and William looked for Eric together worried about a sneak attack. Searching the building in its entirety they made their way to the roof, it was very possible he had escaped or was trying to by going from roof to roof. It was a Death God's fastest way to move from place to place.
"Hey Will, do you think Alan is with him? We haven't seen either of them since they ran from the ballroom. Maybe Alan got him to stop this."
"It is possible and if so then both may be our targets."
"But William! Alan has done nothing wrong. I can't treat him as an enemy!"
"Then he shouldn't have sided with Eric. Tell me Ronald did you know that they were together, that they had a relationship outside of plain partners, that they were living together?"
Ronald stopped walking and put his head down. "I did sir."
"Then how can you be certain that Alan wasn't in on the plan from the start?"
He couldn't believe his ears, Alan would never agree with what Eric had done and seeing him tonight in the ballroom, seeing the pain of what they had come to do to Eric he knew Alan had only recently learned the truth as well.
"Alan would never take part in what Eric did, he would never approve. Sure they were together but they were separate people. Alan was still Alan."
"Oh? And is that what you call separate?" Following the line Will's death scythe drew he saw a white cloth in the distance. Stepping closer he noticed what laid on top of it, two pairs of glasses were resting on top of it, oh no, what had they done?
"They made their decision Ronald and now they shall live with it."
"But, why?" He was on his knees blown away by what he saw in his hands. They had run away and quit the society. They were ex-Death Gods and Eric was still a wanted criminal. Alan was an enemy too now for joining him.
"Come, we still have work to do." Taking the pair still sitting on the cloth William folded them up to stick in his inside coat pocket.
"Wait! Can I hold on to Alan's?" Maybe if he found him he could try to get him to change his mind.
"Do as you like but we must go before they get even further from us."
"Thank you sir."
Sticking them in his coat pocket he followed behind William. He knew he would have to kill one of his friends; he didn't expect or want to kill both.

Eric held on to Alan's hand as they made their way through the alleys having stopped running on the roofs awhile ago. He figured William would soon realize they were no longer at the Crystal Palace and they could be spotted easier up there.
"You doing okay? We have been running for a few hours now. I know a place we can hide for the night. It's only a little further."
"I'm okay, don't worry about me." He was sweating more than usual but he felt alright. Using the shadows brought on but the night they ran down the back alley ways of London. Both hoped to leave the city tonight but it wasn't going to happen. Tomorrow at the earliest if anything.
"There, right over there!" Eric pointed to an abandoned warehouse and had Alan go first through the broken basement window. Having him follow he led them up to where the manager's office used to be above the main work area.
"We should be safe here for the night."
"Are you sure about this? It seems too out in the open."
"See this," Going through a door to a private bathroom he opened a small hatch on the floor. "Leads to the sewers."
"Then why don't we,"
"Not tonight. Rest for now. We'll be on the move all day tomorrow, don't push yourself. Who knows when we'll be able to really rest again."
Reluctantly he agreed and sat in the corner of the office to catch his breath and wipe some of the sweat of his face. Eric sat beside him and held a towel out for him.
"How did you find this place?" Taking it he was happy to not use his jacket sleeve anymore.
"Complete accident. One day I was working and came across it. There are boxes filled with blankets on the main floor. I'll grab us a few in a minute."
"Oh, okay." Blinking he tried to get some of the blurriness to go away, this would take some getting used to.
"Are you sure about this, about running away with me? You could always go back. It's not you their after."
"I want to stay with you." Resting his head on Eric's shoulder he was happy he could do this again. "I am glad we're together again. I hated staying away."
"Me too. I never wanted to push you away I just didn't want to involve you and I was scared you would hate me once you knew the truth."
"Eric." Lifting his head he faced Eric, got as close as he needed so they could see each other clearly. "I could never hate you. I love you."
" I love you too. Thank you for coming with me."
Moving closer he kissed the lips he had missed for days. He held the body he hadn't felt beside him in so long. He was never walking away from him again. They would live on the run, their life would never be the same but they were together, happy, and in love, they would have a great life.

Together they had gone to the main floor and gone through the boxes to find things to make a bed out of. They needed to stay on guard but both needed sleep so they could last the long trip in front of them. Their best bet was to leave England all together but to do so they had to do it by foot. They less people they came in contact with the better.
"Alan, I'm starving, are you?"
"Sort of. I was kind of just not thinking about it and waiting until tomorrow. We were taking the woods right, I was sure we could find something to eat there."
"Why don't you make a place for us to sleep and I'll get us something to eat. It probably won't be fancy but it should hold us over."
"Are you nuts? Eric, people are looking all over the city for you."
"I know that but I can slip in and out in no time. Promise."
"You better come back, do you hear me."
"I will. See you in a few." Slipping Alan a kiss he ran out through a side exit, he knew a few places nearby he could get some things from.
Alan could feel worry start to wrap around him not having Eric near him. Reckless idiot, why did he have to fall in love with someone with no brain? Heading back upstairs he moved the desk over to the side so they could sleep in the center of the room, luckily for them it was the biggest space and was furthest from the windows so no one could see them from outside. Still he covered them up not taking any chances. Twenty minutes later he heard footsteps downstairs. Grabbing his scythe he waited by the door, hopefully it was just Eric but he didn't want to take chances. Seeing the office door open he braced himself for the possibility that he would have to attack.
"Alan, hey, I'm not about to step on you am I? Shit, why is so much darker in here or are my eyes really that bad?"
"Eric? Its fine, come in. I covered the windows to shield us better." Stepping in he closed the door and saw Alan behind it.
"Dinners ready."
Putting his weapon down he sat on the floor with him to eat. He may have been trying not think about it but he was starving and wasn't passing up the chance to eat.
"I found this votive candle too, should give us enough light to not trip over each other but not let others know we are here."
"Okay."

After they had eaten they moved to the bed where they stretched out as best as they could. Eric forced Alan to rest first while he would stay awake and on guard in case they had to take off but he found it hard to keep his eyes open with Alan back in his arms. He felt bad that he had dragged Alan through the mud with him, that this was their life now but Alan seemed happy and willing so maybe it wasn't so bad. He had really missed him these past few days and to have him back in his life was worth so much more then what he ever had if he had stayed at the society.
Hearing Alan start to mumble something in his sleep he held him closer and whispered that everything was alright in his ear, he wasn't going anywhere, he would keep him safe.
"I love you, I'll never let you go."

0o0o0o0
So wrote most of this chapter at 11pm last night. My handwriting was crap and I so many spelling and grammar issues but I wrote it for a good couple of hours. I'm thinking the next chapter will be the last. So thank you for sticking with me. It means a lot and talk to you all soon.
~Femalefighter~