This story is rated M for some violence, coarse language, and minor adult themes.

It is not appropriate for readers under the age of 16 and should not be viewed by such.

Disclaimer – same as the other parts.


New York City, NY, USA – March 15, 2015

I felt cold. Numb. I opened my eyes slowly and looked around. Erik had tackled Darius, but looked surprised – and I realized Darius wasn't breathing. I looked to Ruthie – she seemed shocked. Glancing over to Sean, he seemed shocked as well. I looked over at Toby.

There was blood on his shirt. "Damn," he muttered. His knees shook for a moment, then collapsed – he fell onto his back on the stage as about five people jumped toward him. Eliot got to him first, cradling Toby in his arms.

"Toby! Toby, say something!" He gurgled for a moment as Erik knelt by them.

I couldn't move. I watched Erik cradle Toby's head, and Toby started coughing – blood dripped out the side of his mouth. "No, Toby, no," Erik moaned. "No…" I could hear sirens outside – I assumed Sophia had called for help. I saw Eliot crying, Erik stroking Toby's hair. "Tobias, it…it'll be… n'allez pas, mon ami…"

Before my eyes, before I knew what was happening, Toby blinked – his chest heaved – and then nothing. Not another movement, another sound – nothing. I saw Erik's back heave – he leaned down and whispered something in French, then closed Toby's eyes. He stood, leaving Eliot holding Toby.

As he stood, several medics rushed onto the stage, followed by police. I couldn't hear anything – my eyes were fixed on Toby, his eyes shut, cradled in Eliot's arms, a red stain on his shirt. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned – it was Erik. His mouth was moving, but I couldn't hear him. My heart was pounding in my ears. I looked away from Erik, back to Toby, but when I did, Erik grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him – his mouth still moving, the words still inaudible over the throbbing in my ears. I tried to look away again, and he shook me – his voice finally broke through, but he sounded distant.

"Kit?" I looked at him. "Are you all right?" I shook my head, turning to look at Toby again. "Kit, we have to…" As I stared at Toby, Erik's voice faded away again. I watched the medics pull Eliot away and work on Toby, but of course there was nothing they could do.

I felt another hand on my arm – Sophia. She led me toward the stage door and out into the apartment lobby. I was vaguely aware of being led into the lift, Ruthie hanging on to my free hand. After a few moments, I looked around – Erik wasn't with us. Looking at Sophia, I heard soft noises as we ascended in the lift. "Sophia, where…where's Erik?"

"He had to stay. The cops wanted to talk with him." She motioned toward Ruthie. "She's shaking, Kit. Maybe you should calm her down."

I looked down – she was trembling fiercely. Without a word, I picked her up and held her tightly. When we were back in the penthouse, I put her on the sofa and turned the TV on – she seemed to forget about what had just occurred and watched with a grin on her face.

I couldn't forget as easily. I wandered around for a bit, trying to do something to keep my mind off what had just happened, but I couldn't. Leaning against the counter in the kitchen, I let myself cry – I didn't stop when I felt Erik's arms about my waist, his head on my shoulder, his chest heaving as he cried, too.