Chapter 8

Sam never knew exactly how she and Tucker managed to get free of their bonds. All she knew was that all of a sudden, she and Tucker were both free. Vlad and Catherine had gone away, thinking that Tucker and Sam couldn't get free.

Tucker and Sam both turned to Isabelle, thinking she might have freed them, but she shook her head no. Isabelle then freed herself, and the trio turned to the problem of Danny and Emily.

"Even if they are dead, we should bring back their bodies." Sam said quietly, trying to keep from crying. Tucker nodded wordlessly, and picked up Danny's limp body. Then they turned to Emily.

"Wait a second," said Sam suddenly. "Vlad said Emily would be dead within an hour. It hasn't been an hour yet! We've still got time! Isabelle, could you give us your necklace?" Isabelle smiled. She knew where this was heading. She slowly unclasped the necklace and let it drop into her palm. Sam took it and clasped it around Emily's neck. For a minute, the green necklace and the blue necklace existed separately, then, slowly, the two necklaces started to merge together. Then there was one necklace, with a swirled green and blue stone. The trio waited anxiously to see if it worked.

Then there was a low moan, and I stirred. I opened my eyes to see Tucker, Sam, and Isabelle standing over me.

"Emily, are you okay?" Sam asked urgently. I nodded. "What happened? Where are we? The last thing I remember is that right after you guys ran out, Catherine appeared and put her necklace on me..." Sam put a hand over my mouth.

"We don't have time to explain right now. Vlad fired some sort of blast and it hit Danny! Vlad was meaning to kill him...please Emily. If anyone can bring Danny back to life it's you. You do have the most powerful healing powers in the universe."

"Even beyond mine." Isabelle added softly. "I would heal Danny in a second, but my powers can only go so far. It's up to you." I looked over at Tucker, who was still cradling his best friend's body. I wanted to heal him...so badly. But what if I couldn't do it? I loved him so much that it would hurt too badly to let him go. Sam sensed my dilemma.

"Emily, I know it's hard, but please, make a decision. We only have so much time before Catherine and Vlad are bound to come back to kill us all." I looked over at Danny's body again. I was scared of trying and then losing him, that was true. But it would hurt more if I didn't try.

I took a deep breath. "All right." I said. "I'll do it." Sam smiled, a small smile. "Thank you, Emily." Tucker lowered Danny's body down to the ground-like a casket into the grave, it struck me. I hoped with all my heart that this wouldn't become Danny's grave. Or any of our graves, for that matter.

I knelt next to Danny's body. I saw his pale face and frightened eyes. I began to massage him, silently, aware of Tucker, Sam and Isabelle watching anxiously. My hands went intangible and slid through his body, and still I continued massaging. My emotions came in a rush, and my tears slid freely down my face and onto Danny's black and white battle suit. "Danny..." I whispered, my voice breaking. "I love you...more than anyone in this whole entire world."

Danny stirred and his eyes flickered open. "What...did...you say?" he whispered hoarsely. I was overjoyed. "I said I love you." I told him softly. Danny smiled.

"I love you too, Emily." he whispered. I had stopped massaging him, but instead of pulling my hands away from his body, I moved them up his body and around his shoulders. Our lips locked. It was my first kiss, and it was the best moment of my life.

Our embrace was interrupted, however, by a cruel and sarcastic voice. "Well, well, isn't this a Kodak moment?" We pulled apart, and coming into view from the gloomy mist was Vlad and Catherine.

"I don't know how you managed to revive Daniel and the cripple, but I must say it doesn't matter. I'm going to kill you all anyway." There was a split second of silence, then Sam came to her senses.

"Guys...RUN!" she shouted. And we ran, dodging photon blasts from both villains. I was falling behind, my spastic legs jerking and crossing and bumping into each other. The toe of my sneaker caught on something and I fell, landing on my hands and knees. I stayed like that, half blinded by tears of frustration and anger.

What's the use?, I thought. Your disability will catch up with you and you'll be dead. Better do it sooner rather than later.

Then the little voice inside my head spoke. Emily Nicole Link! It scolded. That would be quitting? When have you ever been a quitter? When you were struggling to button a button, or put up your own hair or put the rubber band in your braces, did you ever give up? No, you kept going. You've been honored for your courage and determination. Don't stop now, even if these are going to be the last minutes of your life. Keep going from beginning to end. "You're right." I said aloud. I picked myself up and kept running. But I was so weak from healing Danny and narrowly escaping death that I began to feel dizzy and lightheaded. The ghost porthole came into sight. Just a little bit longer. I told myself. But I couldn't do it. The porthole opened and I collapsed in Danny's waiting arms.