Author's Note: Sorry it took longer than I said. My mom got this new "virus scan" thing on our computer and she said there was a virus. It turned out to not be one at all. I waited this long for no reason! Sheeeesh! Anyway, here's chapter eight…

The Choice

Chap. 7 Fate

Rika looked everywhere, calling out, "Henry!...Henry!"

Just then, she heard sirens and started heading in that direction. She soon came to an intersection, seeing a truck in the ditch…..and Henry's car, bent and deformed. She gasped, Oh, no…she ran to it and opened the door.

Shattered glass was everywhere…..and there was Henry, his clothes stained in crimson and a deep gash in his head. He didn't move.

"Henry!" tears streaked Rika's face as she took him in her arms and carefully laid him on the sidewalk, which was soon covered in a pool of blood.

Henry's eyes slightly opened, and he spoke softly, "…Rika…" he took short breaths, "…You're here."

"Of course I am, Henry. You're….." tears rolled down her cheeks, "You're dying…" Henry felt so weak and fragile in her arms.

"I know…I…"

Rika took him close and said, "So, I guess this is…..goodbye," she held his hand tightly.

"Yeah…" Henry whispered. His breaths grew shorter…"Tell the others…I'll…miss them."

"…Okay," she could feel his grip weaken.

"…I…..love you…"

"…I love you, too," she gently kissed him on the mouth, and then Henry spoke.

"Goodbye…Rika…" his eyes closed slowly.

"No…"

He took his final breath and his hand slipped from her grasp.

"Henry..."

His heart beat stopped.

"Henry, don't leave me!" Rika wept as she hugged him tight, "…Don't leave….."

Suddenly, she opened her eyes as she felt something in his shirt pocket. She took out a small box. As she opened it, her eyes brimmed with more tears…There was a small diamond ring inside.

"No…he was…..he…" she closed it in astonishment as the sirens echoed through the night.

Author's Note: sniff sniff cry I don't like that chapter, but it had to happen or else I couldn't finish the next parts. Anyway, next chapter in three days or sooner (unless mom finds another "virus").