CHAPTER 39
"It's been too long, angel." He grinned maliciously. "Why must you make it so difficult?"
"Ben?" Katie questioned, unsure but almost positive. "Ben, please don't…" She found herself pleading, even though she knew that this was how it had to be.
"You have no idea how much humiliation you've caused me, Katie. I can't let you get away with that, now can I?" He closed in, pulling her harshly to her feet so that their eyes met.
"I never got to say goodbye." Tears flooded her eyes as she whispered to herself. Benjamin tired of her distance, of the confusion he was experiencing and slammed his fist into her stomach, taking her breath away.
"Stop playing games, Katie!" He growled through gritted teeth, "Where have you been? What's going on?" He demanded to know, thinking now that it was all some sort of trap.
"What are you talking about?" Katie winced, forseeing another blow. This time his fist connected with her jaw, sending her flying backwards.
"Bottle Cap!" Spin gasped, running toward her. Dibs spun around to see the punch and lunged at Benjamin, Spot by his side. Katie could taste blood, her head spiraling with confusion. It seemed like she fell for ages before hitting her head hard upon a paved step.
"Looks like we'se late!" Jack announced as he and the others arrived upon the scene. Tipsy ran to Bottle Cap's side, where Spin held her bleeding head in her lap.
"Is she okay?" Silver Fists asked, afraid to look as she stood off, contemplating whether she should join the fight with the boys.
"BC…BC wake up!" Spin rocked back and forth, tears streaming down her face, mising with the rain. "I didn't mean it, you know I didn't! Don't die on me!" The girls crowded around, barely noticing when Caps announced that Benjamin could never hurt anyone again.
"Le' me see 'er." Spot shoved his way through and fell to his knees beside his sister. Everyone silenced at the sight of the Brooklyn leader weakening. "Stay wid me, Kate. Stay wid me." He whispered as he brushed her hair out of her eyes. She was barely conscience, but able to understand his words.
"She's losin' too much blood, Spot." Illusion said softly, placing a comforting hand upon his arm. "She's…she's not gonna make it." Spin started crying harder at her friend's words and Spot pulled her into his arms, a shock to all.
"Dis ain't ya fault, Spin." He held back his own tears as his little sister lost control of her's. "It ain't ya fault." Dibs had been outside of the circle, apprehensive about entering. He feared he wouldn't have the strength to keep up his front, but at last he decided he had to see her.
"Micah…" She whispered as he knelt beside her, her hand going to his cheek weakly.
"Sh…don't tawk now, Katie." He responded, taking her hand into his own.
"I love you…I love you so much." She cried softly, trying to remember why she had wanted this to happen. She felt no pain, though she knew she was leaving them.
"I love you, too." Dibs forced the words out, trying not to sound as choked up as he felt.
Neither of them noticed Silver Fists pushing the others away, giving them room. She knew that it was her friend's time to go home, and that saying goodbye would only worsen her own condition as she struggled to remain strong. Blink saw through her act, pulling her in and holding her, no words necessary to communicate the pain in her eyes.
"I'm here." BC reminded him, once again touching his chest lightly. Dibs nodded as Spot watched, still comforting Spin as Caps held back, sharing awkward glances with Jake. Dibs placed her hand back in his own before he felt all of her strength drain, her body becoming limp and empty of life.
"I, uh…" Silver Fists began, sniffling, after a few minutes of silence and tears, the rain lessoning as dawn neared. "I think maybe dis is da way she wanted it, fellahs." A few nodded, some even smiled, but they still could find no words to say.
"Yeah, Silv." Tipsy nodded, wiping away her tears. "I mean, she brought you an' Blink tagetha…" She shrugged as Silver blushed.
"An' Caps finally found da goil of 'is dreams." Chipper smiled lightly at Caps, who grinned and found Jake smiling as well. He saw now that his relationship with Spin had been slowly falling apart. They had always made better friends than lovers anyhow.
"Do we even gotta mention dis?" Tipsy gestured toward Spot and Spin with a soft giggle, "Dat's what I call a miracle." Spot rolled his eyes, but found a grin spreading.
"I guess it jus' took someone showin' me dat I can't always blame all my bittahness on someone else." He shrugged, swallowing a bit of his pride as Spin looked up at him, a shocked, but happy, expression claiming her face.
Spot then turned his gaze upon his best friend, and the others followed it to find Dibs staring blankly at the girl, his eyes empty and sad as he held her lifeless body in his arms. There were no comforting words for him, they found. For, what had he gained but a broken heart?
