Mrs. Shufflefield knocked rapidly on the solid chamber door.

"Go away! I'm asleep!" Elizabeth groaned, smothering her head in a pillow.

Kizzy vaulted up onto the bed, panting madly at her master. Lizzy ruffled the dog's delicate curls. She reluctantly got up to answer the portal.

The door rattled as the many locks and bolts were undone, all except for a single deadbolt. Kizzy quickly jumped from Elizabeth's arms and scampered quickly through the crack left ajar.

"Yeah?" Elizabeth yawned.

Agatha noted the girl's look of indifference, but persisted in her orders. "Your father has requested to speak to you."

"Well, I don't want to talk to him," Lizzy growled.

Agatha just caught the door before it could be abruptly slammed shut. "He's very ill... and, well.. He's been asking for you, dear."

"I don't care. Give him a few days and he'll be back to his normal self." She once again tried to shut the door, this time with success.

Mrs. Shufflefield let out an exhausted sigh, wiping the sweat from her brow. She turned at the sudden sound of scurrying footsteps up the hall. They came to stand amongst her by the door.

"MacBeth, open the door. It's me, Blink."

"Blink?" She hastily fumbled to release the chain to let them inside. Josie was among them in the hall.

Kid Blink grimaced at MacBeth's tear-stricken cheeks. He really wants to see you," he said, offering his hand.

She nodded and shakily took his palm in hers.

* * * * *

Outside of her father's room they could hear the effects of the sickness taking hold. Elizabeth shakily opened the door to gaze on her morbid father. The doctor stood at his side with solemn eyes of gray. These rusty orbs told all. Her father would not live through the night, Christmas Eve night. The doc stepped aside and exited the room to wait outside with the others.

Mr. Shaft looked up at Lizzy with large, watery eyes. He muttered though heavy breaths. "Mary?"

A gentle tear drifted down her cheek and she knelt down beside the bed. "No, Papa. It's me, Elizabeth."

"Oh, Lizzy, dear -" He let out a sputtering cough. "You must know that I am sorry."

She began to protest. "No, it is my fault -"

He put a finger to his lips for silence. "Let us not speak of such matters. Please, let us just imagine that we are back at home, in London; It's Christmas... Mary is playing the piano while you and I trim the tree. You know ::chuckles:: your mother used to just love to play that piano of ours."

The balding old mad held a cherub reflection, the tears staining his cheeks as he recollected some of his sweetest memories. His puffy cheeks held small dimples with his toothy smile and his eyes flickered with happiness, staring off to no particular place, just alight with bittersweet memories.

Elizabeth beamed, also with a tear-stricken face as she clutched her Papa's weary hand at his side. Her eyes wandered across the room to the large phonograph on his writing desk. She released his hand to give it a look. "For good time's sake..." she whispered, cranking the handle. The gentle music projected throughout the room...

"When the night is still,

And the sea is calm,

Lonely shadow, you'll find a new light.

Lay by my side,

Fear not tonight,

Lonely shadow, you'll find a new light.

Dream a dream,

And see through angel's eyes

A place where we can fly away.

Ride with me upon a shining star,

Above the moonlit sky,

We will find elysium.

Hear the nightingale

Sing a lullaby,

Lonely shadow, you'll find a new light."

"Isn't this nice, Papa?" She turned back to him.

"Papa?"

"Dawn will be kind,

All will be bright,

Lonely shadow, rise from the darkness."

Copyright: "Dream a Dream (Elysium) by J. Sherman S. Babernia, S. Green way, and Gabriel Faure

(A/N: ::sniff sniff:: I'm guessing that you weren't expecting those last two chapters. Well, no this is not the end. I plan on taking this story much further. I am just now starting to sorta spark an interest within my self. At first I felt like it was a chore to write. Sure, I have no clue what is going to happen next, but hey.. I'll think of something extra creative for this to lead to. I hoped you liked this chapter, even though it was sorta sad. I would like to know what you thought.. hint hint!

Oh.. and to get some reader interaction with this story, I would like to know how to take this.

Who is your favorite newsie to read about in fan fiction? (Please keep in mind this story)...

Spot, my personal favorite to write, but I have already written a story about him before

Jack

Blink

Race

Yes, those are your only choices.. Choose from that. I would like the character that I advance upon in this story to be a main character. Tell me your opinion!