Elfbrat18: I know both me and Whistler said that we were going to wait for 3 reviews, but I want to keep going so nyah! Lol! Just kidding, don't leave!

Whistler: Yes well, a big thanks to Mesphia for reviewing! We're glad you like it! Btw, this chapter is in the "voice" pov, so don't get confused anybody.

Elfbrat18: Oh yes, while I'm thinking about it (and I haven't been able to stop), I had no idea the damage that Katruna was going to do to New Orleans and it breaks my heart to watch the news and see that people are in dire need of help. So please, please do not flame me for continuing with this story just because of the current setting. If you look at the published date you will see that it was way back in July when I started this fic, and no one had a clue about Katrina then. I'm not going to be tying current events as of recent into this fic.

Whistler: Our hearts and prayers go out to those that did not make it as well as those that are still struggling to make it through this disaster. If you can donate in any way please do so, they need our help.

Don't Wait For Fate To Cut The String

I can't just lie here and bleed to death, but I only have one option... : Wait. What are you planning : Wait and see... I tossed my head from side to side, looking for something to bite into. Nothing. Damn. Figures. With my right hand I grabbed the handle of the knife. I took a few breaths before I jerked. And jerked. By the third attempt the knife slid out, and the crimson liquid continued to flow. I don't know how I got the phone off of the table, or how I dialed 911, but somehow I did.

"911, what is your emergency?" a peppy girl asked over the line.

I winced as I felt my body slide down again, beside my probably now crushed laptop and a duffel bag that had lord knows what is in it. If it wasn't for the incredible pain that I was in, I might have laughed at that. I head the girl ask the same question again when I started to see black spots before my eyes. Oh shit. Not good. I was going to answer but my voice was gone. I couldn't even so much as whimper as I slipped into darkness. : This isn't good! I won't let you die : It's too late, you stupid voice. : No it's not : The last sounds I heard was the operator and the drizzling rain.

Oh come on, it can't rain all the time...

October 30, 2005. 11:37 p.m. Arlene's apartment? New Orleans, Louisiana?

: Arlene! Come one, wake up! ARLENE : This was not good. Her breathing had slowed dramatically and her skin was paler than normal. Crimson liquid had spilled all around us, and it continued to flow.

I grabbed a nearby bandana and tried to seal the gaping hole in her side, but it only soaked up some of the blood. I held it there as I found a nearby sheet that was tucked away in the laundry basket. I tore it into big strips and begain to wrap the injury up, with the green stained red bandana pressed against her skin. : She'll thank me for saving her life : I reasoned, just then realizing it was a good sheet. I then proceeded to pull another bandana from under the strewn coffee table and repeated the process. It took a bit of difficulty this time, having to lift her up and support her limp body with my right arm and try to wrap the torn sheet around with my left.

I looked to my right and saw a huge bag laying not far away, so I leaned over and made a few attempts to grab it, with Arlene still lying across my lap. Arlene did nothing to help aid to the situation, instead she was more like a bleeding lump that really, really needed to get some kind of medical assistance. The bag? It was full of clothes and other things, among which was the laptop that was chucked at Arlene's head. Curiosity getting the better of me for a split second, I picked it up first and opened it. What the hell! It was still working! How, it was slung against the wall: Well I'll be- :

"One...Two..."

: Huh? Who said that...:

"He's coming for you..."

: Say huh-:

"Three...Four..."

: Ok.. :

"Better lock your door..."

: ...hm... :

"Five... Six..."

: The computer is talking... : Which in truth, it was. That's where the morbid, child-like voice was coming from.

"Grab a crucifix..."

: Uh...Arlene..! Wake up..:

"Seven... Eight..."

: Why do I sense a bad omen... :

"Gotta stay up late..."

: Oh man... :

"Nine... Ten..."

: I don't like where this is going... :

"Never sleep again..."

: Oh shit... : And then I don't remember what happened after that.

This sounds really cliche but the next thing I saw when I opened my eyes was this bright light. No, not that light. I was outside, and Arlene was still slumped over my lap, and her talking technology still in my hands, the big bag beside us.

Off some distance across the area I saw a huge city. Or one big ass castle, so I hope there was a city with it too. Hopefully I could get some help for Arlene there cause I knew that my 'doctoring' wouldn't save her, but someone that knew what they were doing could...

But I had a problem.

How was I going to get Arlene there? There was too much to carry, and she wouldn't make it with me walking, much less running. It was just too far away. Defeat made me slump futher under the weight of everything and my head started to hurt. Burn even. And then as soon as it started, it stopped.

I opened my eyes again and saw a few feathers lying on the ground. Whoa, FEATHERS! I turned my head to see wings behind me. First a talking laptop, now I've got wings, what next: Well: I reasoned: If it helps me get Arlene the help she needs, then why not: I stood up and draped the bag's strap over my shoulder and picked up Arlene under her shoulders and knees. This girl really needs to gain some weight.

For a moment I stood there, trying to figure out how to do this. I closed my eyes and thought about flying, about getting Arlene to the gates of that city before she was too far gone. I could feel the wind picking up around me and when I opened them again I saw my feet dangling in mid air, just a few feet off the ground. Hot damn, I was flying! Had the situation been different I would have done a happy dance but Arlene's skin had gone clamy and I knew right then that I was pushing my luck. Praying that this wasn't a hallucination I beat my newly acquired wings against the winds and made my way to the gates.

"HALT! State your name and business!" Great, just great. I had to deal with guards now. I touched down not far from the castle and my wings disappeared. Good thing too, otherwise I would have a lot more to explain than I had time for.

: Listen I don't have time for this! My friend's life is on the line! She needs help : I pleaded. The two guards took one look at Arlene's condition and forgot about asking me my name. They called some more guards and before I knew what hit me I was being ushered through the city streets and up stairs.

The peculiar thing I noticed, when we reached the top was this huge white tree. : What kind of tree is that: I wondered out loud.

"That is the Tree of Gondor." One of the guards said, with a swell of pride. "Did you not know that you are in the Realm of Gondor?"

Before I could say no, I was being swept through these large double doors, and awaiting on the other side was a large group of people...

Elfbrat18: That's it! The second chapter!

Whistler: Yes, tell us what yall think, pretty please? I'll make cookies...

Elfbrat18: Not right now you can't.

Whistler: Why not?

Elfbrat18: We've got to work on the other stories. And it's late. You can bake cookies tomorrow.

Whistler: Goody!