Joey sat atop the table in the library, the Arcanum clutched in her hands. Despite her natural love for books, she could have ripped the one she held to shreds. It was the cause of so much misery, not just for her but for all of humanity. She'd have to keep it safe after the night was over.

She looked at the backs of her ghostly protectors. They stood guard near the door, fearing a reappearance of Ben Moss. They all knew he wasn't done for the night. She focused on Royce, her chest constricting at the thought of him almost an hour ago. It wasn't the memory of him as the Torn Prince that made her feel strange, but of what happened afterwards.

For what seemed loke an eternity she had knelt on that floor, waiting to die. She wouldn't be tricked into looking back. But the strike never came. Instead, she heard the sounds of a scuffle behind her. Still she refused to move. Then she felt someone in front of her. Opening her eyes, she cried anew. It was Royce there, looking at her shame- faced. She threw her arms around his neck, allowing him to pull her even closer.

"Thanks for not killing me," she chuckled into his ear, voice quavering.

The absurd statement kept her from sobbing uncontrollably. He pulled away long enough to dry her cheeks and plant a soft kiss on her forehead. Not long after that they had made their way upstairs with her brother.

Royce must have felt her eyes on his back because he turned to look at her. He smirked at her reassuringly and she was in love. Not that she wasn't already in love with him. It was just that, with the look he was giving her, Joey realized that scars or no scars, he was the most perfect being she could ever hope to know. She wanted nothing more than to lie in his arms forever. But she could have slapped herself for being so sappy and pathetic.

She looked up at the full moon through the open ceiling, then at her watch. It was 11:30. With a heavy sigh, Joey said "It's time."

Both ghosts spun around quickly. They walked slowly to where she sat. Joey moved back on the table, putting the book aside. The specters stopped on either side of her. Without a word she placed a hand on a small black case. Dennis put his hand on top of hers there, causing her to look up at him. His eyes pleaded with her not to do this. Then his hand slipped away.

What Royce had thought was a glasses case turned out to be holding a syringe and a little glass bottle of a translucent yellow liquid. Joey filled the needle and held it before her face.

"What is that," Royce asked.

"Just something to help the process," she replied, tapping the syringe and presing the plunger to get the excess air out.

"How'd you get this?" Dennis eyed the unmarked glass bottle.

"Remember when I was eight and Mom and Dad took me to the hospital after I hit my head during a vision?"

"Yeah," Denny said curiously.

"Well, I pocketed these bad boys when no one was looking," Joey shrugged.

"And you never told me about this?" Her brother was shocked.

"You were tired of hearing about tonight. I figured you didn't want to hear about this either."

Denny shook his head, putting his hand on her shoulder. "I'd never not listen to you."

Royce watched Joey and Denny have their moment and felt left out, even a little jealous. Then, she looked over at him, smiling softly, and he was in love. Not that he wasn't already in love with her. It was just that he realized at that moment she was perfect in his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms forever. But he could have smacked himself for thinking that way.

Joey took a deep breath and said "Okay, I'm ready."

With another deep breath she pushed the needle into the vein in her left arm and injected herself with the liquid. She laid down on the table, closing her eyes.

"This shouldn't take too long," she said. "Maybe you guys shouldn't watch this."

Royce would have clasped her hand, but Joey made him and Dennis both promise not to touch her when the time came. Neither of them looked away, which seemed to amuse her.

"I didn't think s—"

Joey's face twisted into a grimace of pain. Then her eyes grew wide as she gasped for air. The ghosts watched horrified as her back arched off the table inhumanly and her arms flailed about wildly. Her gasps became more and more shallow, her body twitching with every one. Eyes fluttering shut, she gave a great exhale and fell limp. Joey's dead body began to grow cold inder the sad, watchful gazes of Royce and Dennis.

---

Ben Moss stood arrogantly at the edge of the woods, shouting a summoning spell at the dark trees. He was answered by a chillingly familiar cackle.