Stars in the Sky

I stared down at the button before us; this was finally it. Handley's Human Ranch would be gone forever. Dan and I had did it. We had found a way around the fence and so, so much more.

With one last look at each other, we nodded. "One," we said a slammed down on the button. Immediately, red lights began to flash, similar to the security alert, and sirens began to wail from the speakers

"Commencing self-destruct. Fifteen minutes remaining." the speakers announced.

Aidan pulled the key from his pocket and hurried to unlock the door. "Quickly," he said. "Fifteen minutes isn't very much time. We need to gather everyone and leave as soon as possible."

"Peej was with the patients last; I'm sure he's working on escaping with them now as we speak. Just show us the nearest exit." Dan grabbed my hand and grabbed ahold of Chris's arm, too, as we ran aside Aidan and Oliver.

"You're sure Pj is okay?" Oliver asked as we turned the corner and began to dash down the spiraling staircase. The sirens were dreadfully loud, so we practically had to yell at each other.

"Hey...how do you know is name is actually Pj?" Chris questioned, and he had a point. The three of us only ever call him Peej, so the probability of Oliver knowing is formal name isn't likely at all.

He shook his head. "Don't worry about it," We made a sharp turn and continued down the staircase. Our eyes all intent on the steps before us, all illuminated in bright flashes of red. "We still have four stories to go; we need to make haste."

As we ran, I gripped onto Dan's hand tighter. Running down the steps felt like it took an eternity, but finally we arrived at the first floor. "Follow me, we have to get to the main gate."

We were in the last stretch, bolting down the main corridor towards the front door. But, that's when we saw him. He stood there, smug, before the front door. A smile plastered to his face, as if he knew all of the secrets in the universe. He had not shaved his stubble, heavy bags drooped beneath his eyes, his black hair fell before his eyes; that was the first time i had not seen it gelled back. Fear washed over my body and suddenly my heart was crammed up in my throat.

"Simon..." Aidan came to a slow stop as the rest of us skidded to a halt. "You-I haven't seen you in years. Wh-"

"Enough already, we haven't the time. Well, the rest of us don't anyway." He paused, walking towards us. The dreadful clicking of the heels of his shoes against the linoleum tile was enough to make me want to scream out. "Well, there goes all we've worked for. Hm, Aidan? So many years...just for you to turn against me like this. I will get what i've worked so hard for." His stare landed on Dan.

Immediately I stepped in front of him. "I won't let you! Let us pass...don't you hear the speakers? This place is going to-"

"Oh, I'm aware," he pulled a syringe from his pocket. "So we should hurry this along. Daniel, if you care for your...friends...at all, then you'll make this fast. I will have what lies inside of you; I swear it!" And with that, he lunged forward, pushing me aside without much effort at all. I landed on the cold tile with a thud and began to watch in horror.

"S-Stop!" Dan dodged and tried to push Simon back, but Simon grabbed ahold of Dan's shoulder.

"This is how it is meant to be!" he yelled out, bringing the syringe down quickly. But then, Aidan tackled Simon; they both landed on the floor with a thud. "A-Aidan, stop being a fool!"

Aidan pinned him down. "I won't let you hurt anyone else. You left me up there for so long...you didn't care about me at all. How could you do that to me!? You had those men come up daily and take blood samples from me for your testings, but not one time in years did you come up to check on me! How could you..."

Simon stared up into Aidan's eyes. For a moment, everything was silent with exception of the sirens. And then, Simon began to laugh. A cruel, sick laugh emitted from deep within him. It grew louder and louder until he was practically screaming out his laughter. Aidan became concerned and sat back, not longer pinning him down, but still on top of him.

"Oh, you're so naive. Poor Aidan...you always were. Friendship? What a joke! Back then as children, perhaps you were my playmate. You gave me amusement, your little knowledge was intriguing and laughable. You helped to pass the time, no matter. But...make immortality a factor; do you even for a moment believe I was thinking about 'friendship'?"

Aidan began to tear up. "I...We were never friends? You lied to me...?"

"It was pity; what a shame pity and friendship can be so easily confused."

And just like that, I watched in horror as I saw Simon bury the syringe deep in Aidan's neck. The corridor screamed out in silence and I couldn't hold in my cries. The bright red lights illuminated both Simon and Aidan's face; Aidan's eyes trembled in fear and surprise as Simon's were somber and lifeless.

"Simon..." His body slumped. "I...I can't die...but...why does this hurt so badly? What..what was in that syringe?"

"Do you truly believe all of my studies and tests have been solely based on Daniel and immortality itself? I presumed problems would arise, so I worked on the antidote. Instead of injecting the very substance used to elicit immortality, if all works, this should kill whatever it is inside of you that is allowing you the very gift."

Aidan's body slumped more, his eyes struggling to stay open. "My body...it's on fire..." Simon jerked the syringe from his neck; a light splatter of blood erupted from how violently the syringe was removed. A bit trickled down Simon's face, the rest of it rested on Aidan's cheek.

Immediately, Aidan went into shock. His body began to shake, tears began to flow, murmurs and cries filled the corridor. "Oh. That's right. You're afraid of blood, aren't you?" He pushed Aidan off of him. "Pity."

Aidan was left on the linoleum floor, shaking and crying. "The pain...make it s-stop...aahhhhhhh!" He began to go into hysterics. After kicks and screams, he lied there, somewhat still.

"How could you..." Dan turned to my father. "You monster! He waited years for you; he stayed here for you! And you...and y-you killed him! You fucking killed him..."

Simon stood to his feet with a grunt. "He would only get in the way. There's only room for one god on this earth, and I intend for it to be me." He grabbed Dan by the collar of his shirt and held him up.

"Put me down!" Dan spit in his face. Immediately, Simon's eyes filled with rage.

"You're just as repulsive as Aidan. Trying to break out of your fate like that; just accept it. You're worthless scum. At least you hold...some purpose." Simon pulled another syringe from his pocket. "Aidan never di-"

And just then, blood began to trickle down Simon's back. His eyes shot open in terror, pain, and surprise; he knew what had been done. A dagger was dug deep into his back and the blood began to soak through his shirt.

"I n-never held any what, Simon? Purpose?" Aidan yanked the dagger back, only to plunge it deeper. Simon cried out in pain, dropping Dan to the floor. "Maybe n-not. Perhaps I did spend years waiting for you, wasting away. But at least...in the end...I took you out with me. Ridding the world of you is purpose enough."

The dagger was yanked out a final time and both dropped to the floor, lying side by side. "You...bastard..." My father said, staring up at the ceiling. He knew his time had come.

Aidan stared up at the ceiling as well; after a few moments, things settled down. "So this world didn't work out for us...don't worry, we'll take the next one by storm. I suppose we just have to...wait and see."

Simon stayed silent.

"You want to know what else I wished for that night?" Aidan said quietly.

"The stars? You told me." Simon replied.

"No...I finally know how many there are. I wished to know someday...and I finally know..." Tears streamed down his face, a huge smile becoming apparent on his face. "There...there are so many, Simon..."

Simon looked over at Aidan, waiting for his response. "Well? How many are there?" His question was only returned with more silence. "A-Aidan?" He moved closer to Aidan, shaking his shoulder. "How many are there? Aidan!? Tell me, please!"

But, it was too late. His eyes were lifeless and unfocused on the ceiling. The smile did not leave his face, though. "Aidan!" Simon cried out, burying his head into his chest. "H-How many!? I need to know! Oh, Aidan...Aidan, I'm so sorry..." His sobs continued until they died out.

We all stared at their bodies in horror and sadness, but Dan was the one to pull me up and off of the floor. "We need to go." He looked at Chris and Oliver. They nodded uneasily. Dan shot Aidan an empathetic look and I said a silent goodbye to my father. I could not feel sympathy. I had stopped considering him my father long ago.

The four of us exchanged glances and then bolted for the front door. As much as I wanted to feel relief, I couldn't help but feel remorse and guilt for whom was left behind. I swore to myself then that I would never forget Aidan.

.x.x.x.

So, that ended up not being the last chapter. I thought I could fit it all in, but there's no way. Plus I think Aidan and Simon sort of deserved their own chapter. At the very most, two more chapters. Though I'm pretty sure the next will be the last. Sorry for this being so sad. It's rated M more for violence, blood, and death. I'll make up for it with some Phan, promise.

I know the end of this story ended up being a bit of a mess, but let me know what you thought of Simon and Aidan! I had fun coming up with a last minute backstory, though ridiculous and not realistic at all. But then again, what part of any of my stories is realistic? See you guys next chapter.

Love Always,

ThatOneSmoshyPhanGirl