Black Knight (Part 2)

BAN

I screamed his name and reached for him… There he was though, my beloved friend, falling! I couldn't help the tears that were streaming out of my eyes. Why him? He risked his life to save me! I could only watch him fall… I also heard yelling behind me. I turned around to see Eric running at my ultimate enemy with his gunblade and most of my friends were following. I couldn't believe what I have gotten everyone into! I wanted to die myself and meet him in heaven, but then I remembered what he said to me once… "Nicole, whatever you do, please stay alive, I'll come back for you someday…" My eyes blurred up in tears and I cried out his name. ZACK!

I sort of remember the time after the day that Zack and I connected. It was back in November 12, 2005. The crisp, autumn air filled my room when I woke up only to find a bundle of daisies, roses, violets, and sunflowers in a vase on my desk. Huh? I got up and rubbed my eyes. Who put that in my room? Zack? I got up and went into the bathroom. My hair was all messed up and spiked! But I was too drowsy to do anything except comb it. Angelo came in and barked a good morning to me. I love Angelo so much (he was the first and only dog I have, not to mention he is my best friend.) I smiled and gave him a scratch behind the ears (I know he loves those a lot.) Finally, I got changed into my favorite blue dress and walked downstairs to the kitchen (which is on the left.) As I walked into the clean white kitchen, something jumped at me! I screamed and ran back into my room in a hurry. What was that? I reopened my door and peeked out. Zack was standing there in front of stairs waiting for me. I took a deep breath and ran downstairs to meet him again.

"Good Morning Zack." I said cheerfully.

"Yeah, whatever…" he said coldly. (Zack can be a real party-pooper sometimes.)

"Um, do you know what was in the kitchen?"

He laughed a bit, "That was revenge for knocking over my TV last night."

I was angry; he would play a joke on me! That thing he usually plays with (a small black fluffy ball,) was used to freak me out! I yelled at him and tried to slap him hard across the face. But, he was too good, and he grabbed my wrist and shook his head. "You really shouldn't hit someone…" Furious, I stomped off, heading for school. I decided to walk instead of taking a ride with him. I wasn't in the best mood for jokes now. However, now it was cold and I forgot my jacket. I was like a walking icicle. My legs became stiff and I began to waddle a bit. People, who were walking by, looked at me as if I was crazy to go without a jacket and some long pants instead of shorts. Well people, I FORGOT! Then I heard something following me. A car engine? I turned to see Zack in his Acura RSX following me. I didn't want to go with him though. I ignored him and walked on slowly. Zack pulled up beside me and asked me if I wanted to hitch a ride. "No thanks." I muttered under my breath. "Suit yourself, I'm heading off without you…" And with that, he drove off. Oh! "Wait!" I yelled after him! Did he hear me? I began to run after the car, but it was only a dot now. I sighed and began to stroll again. I was mad and sad now. The only person who introduced me to the real world I never knew left me behind. Then suddenly, I saw some light ahead. It was Zack! I waved at him, hoping this time he would help me. Luckily, he stopped and opened his door for me. "Next time, you won't be so lucky…" he warned me. I nodded and got in. It was a quiet ride to the Garden though, which I find kinda weird. I didn't know what to say either to him! I just sat there, keeping an eye on the road covered in red and orange leaves. Finally, I broke the silence, "Zack, when do you ever get tired of killing?" Oh, that was a stupid question. "No, not really…" he finally spoke quietly after six seconds (I think.) That is awfully strange of him… (It's like he's toying with me or something!)

When we got to the Garden, we still had 10 minutes till the first class (which is our friend, Leo's class.) That was plenty of time to do anything since time goes by so slowly in school. I went into the library and read my favorite books (I'm a fast reader you know?) The funny thing was that Zack was also reading along, trying to keep an eye on me (I guess.) It was eight minutes later, which I got up and ran off to Leo's class. "Hey Nicole, you ready for today's pop quiz?" asked Leo kindly. What! "Um, no, it's a pop quiz!" I nearly yelled at him. Then, with a few seconds remaining, Zack finally walked into the classroom and sat down. (Wow! Exactly when the bell rang!) After a while, when people were trying to settle down, Leo began passing out the pop quiz! I wasn't in the greatest mood to start something new, but I felt like it was worth a try. Finally, after what felt like forever, the bell rang and I got the heck out of Leo's classroom as fast as I could. At least I reached my locker in record time. It was break time or recess and I decided to read a book to spend my time. I sunk down to the floor and read. "Hey Nicole…" Huh? I got up and BANG! OW! My head throbbed in pain from hitting my locker (which was still open!) I turned to look who said something. It was Eric! "Are you ok, Nicole?" asked Eric nicely. "Yeah, but it kinda hurts." I had to admit, I felt like crying in front of him. But, I held it in and looked at him face to face. "So what do you want?" I asked impatiently. "Uh, I only wanted to ask you if you know what the next period is?" Oh! "Well, it's English class," I said as nice as I could (even with my hurting head,) "But now it's break time." "Well, not duh, I know that!" He laughed. I sighed and shut my locker. Oh no! It was almost time! I reopened my locker (I'm such an idiot,) got my English stuff and hurried off. When I got to the class, everyone was there waiting for me! What? Am I really that late? I looked around and found the teacher missing! "Hello Nicole." said something behind me. I turned around only to see a hairy long cut! I shrieked and jumped back. Everyone laughed (except for Zack,) and I saw that I was scared of Mr. Leblanc. He was standing there laughing too and I stood there holding my books, embarrassed…

After school, I decided to walk home again (but this time with a jacket from Eric.) As I got the parking lot, I saw Eric! "Hey Nicole, need a ride?" he asked. "Um, no thanks, but thank you for the jacket." I smiled and waved at him. "Hey look out!" he yelled at me. What? Ouch! I ran into Zack's car! Oops! "Oh thanks Nicole," said a soft, sarcastic voice. "I'm sorry Zack." I pleaded. "…" He was very quiet! "Are you okay?" I asked nicely.

"Why should you care?"

"Well, because you are one of us and I do care." I probably was crying now.

"…"

"Why don't you say anything?"

"…" He turned and walked off. What's wrong with him? I turned to Eric for help. "Eric, what's wrong with Zack?" I was probably crying because Eric looked kinda shocked and I didn't know it! "Well, um…" he drifted off. I didn't want to hear it then. Therefore, I turn and ran off crying. I don't know why I was. Was it because I cared about him and he just brushed me off? Or was it because this world didn't want me anymore? I felt so alone… I never been alone before, and I really didn't want to anymore. It was halfway home when I finally stopped running and slowed to think about it. The wind slowly pushed through my hair and the leaves flew by as if they were dancing. Somehow, I felt like they were trying to say something to me! "Nice view isn't it?" I turned to look at my observer. Zack? "Why are you here?" I retorted. "…" He was quiet and looking at me. "And why are you so mean to us all?" I asked him. "…" He still didn't say anything. I began to cry, and it was in front of him! "Nicole…" he spoke quietly. I just couldn't look at him. He doesn't let us know him. I just wanted him to know that we are all behind him. But why wouldn't he? Who is he? "Nicole, I wish I could tell you, but now isn't the right time and you'll understand when you're older…" And by then, he turned again and walked out into the darkness. Zack…

Now I understand! He didn't want to tell me anything since it would be too early for me to comprehend. He loved me! He just didn't feel like saying it to me right there. I wouldn't of forgave him then. But now, it's over… You're dead… I couldn't believe it, you were an unstoppable killing machine and now, that you finally opened up to me… You're gone from me, forever!

I was crying over the edge of the platform. He just fell out of my reach! I turned around to see everyone dueling it out with the Devil. Suddenly, the Devil's eyes became blood red and I felt the windblast through me. Everyone flew across the platform. They were in agony, pain, and anger. I was left alone to face the Devil, himself. He was just too evil! But, I didn't know what to do. I went to my knees and screamed, "ZACK!" I felt so much pain and anger within me that I felt something burst out of my back. It hurt like laying in lava. My body ached and I was screaming to the top of my lungs. The things (on my back) flapped! The snow-white wings flapped again and again. Until finally, I was levitating above the platform! I had become an Angel! The pain within me subsided and I felt tranquility… The world around became all white… But there was still one black mark. It was the Devil! I picked up the gunblade that Eric dropped after the wind blow and dived at the Devil. I saw the shiny silver blade pierce through the human shaped Devil's chest. He let out a roar of anger and pain. His eye shown bright black and his hand became covered in black blood. What the! He screamed something I didn't understand and his body glowed crimson red! Oh no! And with a second to late, he self-destructed on us! I only felt pain and heat from the blast that left me immobile on the ground cover in blood. I groaned a bit and remembered the times that I spent everyone in my team… Mostly about Zack though… He sacrificed everything for me! I couldn't understand why he did so much for me? I was crying on the ground and soon I fell into the darkness in this world…

Sometime later, I found myself in the hospital bed! I looked around shyly and was worried. Was everyone alright? Is Zack alive? Where is he? I became worried a lot. I didn't understand. He and I have been through so much! Why am I alone now? I wanted to cry, but then Zack would call me a crybaby (which is so mean!) I held in my pain and got up. "Miss Heartilly!" cried a nurse that just entered, "You need some more rest, you aren't in the shape to be up yet." I looked at myself. Bandages all over my arm, abdomen, and left leg. Owie! I was hurting like a stuck fox in a trap. I didn't want pain now. I had enough with it, and I wanted out! I glared at the nurse and ordered her to get me changed. However, she kept refusing. I must have been angry or something since I laid down quite hard (Ouch!) I missed everyone… "Nurse?" I questioned her.

"Yes Miss?"

"Where is everyone?"

"Oh, well, you mean your friends?"

"Yes…"

"Well, this big man (Tiny,) is hurt and has quite a bit of broken bones, a young man with long hair (Leo,) is crying a lot in pain, an Asian girl (Asuka) is still conscious and will be able to move soon, and a handsome young man (Eric) is in a coma and needs some surgery." she quietly spoke.

"What about Zack?"

"Who is Zack?"

"Oh…never mind."

"Well, about you, Miss, you have several broken bones, and you were in shock when the medics arrived."

"…"

"We were all wondering what happened?"

"…"

"Miss?"

I didn't want to talk… Zack was gone… And I was alone… I was probably crying because she tried to comfort me. I couldn't help it. "Crybaby…" What the? I got up quickly and looked at the doorway. I only saw a small part of some shoes and nothing else! "Nurse, who was that?" "Who?" She turned and looked, but she saw nothing, so I kept it quiet… Who was that?

Finally, after two weeks, I got out of the hospital along with Tiny, Asuka, and Leo. Eric was gonna come back by tomorrow. That stinks since he was like my best friend and I did need him for someone I could cry on. When we got home, everyone was quiet and Tiny and Asuka left for their home. So it was Leo, Emma, and me alone in the nearly empty mansion… It became cold all of a sudden. I shivered a bit. "Leo, did you shut off the heat?" I asked. "What?" he was confused, "Heck, no!" I turned around since I just heard a creak from the front door. Huh? Eric? "Eric, you're out early!" exclaimed Leo. He only smirked and I saw something that freaked me out! His eyes were blood red! Oh my god! He was a puppet of the Devil's! I nearly screamed, but I remembered that Emma was here and we need to get her out. "Leo, please get Emma out of here!" I yelled at him. "You got it Nicole." he was worried about me, but Emma was his daughter and therefore, he left with her. I turned to look at Eric. He glared at me that could make any beast freeze in its tracks. I took out the only weapon that I had right now. Zack's gunblade… I got ready and looked at him. I was nervous! I am fighting my best friend! I couldn't believe it! How could I? I shook my emotions away and kept my stance ready. Then, within a few seconds, Eric rushed at me with his long sword upholstered and ready to cut me. I stood my ground and let Zack's gunblade guide me… Nicole

To be continued…