As I walk out of the clinic the image of Oldenzki's sad eyes won't leave my mind. My body is getting weaker and the pain more intense everyday. She knows what it means. I'm running out of time, we both know it.

"Rose?" My head snaps up to see Christian and Tasha in front of me with a strange Moroi standing beside Tasha, his arm around her shoulders.

"Oh, hello." I smile quickly. Tasha hugs me tightly, pulling back and turning to the stranger.

"Rose meet Gabriel, Gabriel this is Guardian Hathaway." She introduces quickly. I smile and shake his hand.

"Nice to meet you Gabriel." I give a tired smile.

"You're the famous Rose, it's a pleasure." I give a puzzled look. "Dimitri has spoken quite highly of you, it's great putting a face to the name."

"I… uh… thank you, I suppose." I can't help it as my ear meets my shoulder displaying my discomfort.

"Well it's great meeting you, we're about to grab dinner now." Tasha steps in. I give a slight nod.

"Have a good night." I turn and take a few steps but I'm interrupted by a hand on my arm. I glance up to see Christian looking at me with concerned eyes.

"Are you alright?" He murmurs. I fake a smile.

"Always." He frowns.

"Rose…"

"I'm tired, Christian. Thank you for your concern, I appreciate it but I need to go." I turn and continue on my way to my room.

It had been a long day and my body was throbbing, all I want is some rest. My head is pounding and by the time I get to my floor it takes more restraint than I really have not to groan when I see Dimitri knocking on my door.

"Can I help you?" I ask as I approach. Dimitri turns to face me, an almost guilty look on his face as he takes in my exhausted face.

"I wanted to check on you." He says is almost bashfully. An image of a younger Dimitri scuffing his foot on the floor passes through my minds eye.

"Well, I'm fine, thanks." I shoulder past him to unlock my door.

"I talked to the princess." He states, I pause briefly before turning the knob.

"And?" I ask.

"She told me everything." I open the door and step inside before turning to face the Russian.

"Congrats." I can't help the sarcasm that drips off my words as I lean into the door frame. He raises an eyebrow.

"I had no idea…"

"You left, so how would you have known? Dimitri, what is it that you want?" I cut to the chase and he seems a bit surprised. I'm sure if I wasn't in the mood I was in I would feel bad but right now this just feels like a waste of time.

"I didn't leave here to be with Tasha, I just wanted you to know that." He straightens up and walks away, leaving me confused and annoyed. I growl softly and close the door. I thump my head on the door as I groan angrily.

Who does that? Makes an announcement like that and just walks off. I growl. Damn him. I try to be angry, really I do but there's a warmth inside of me that I haven't felt in a long time. Hope.

With it comes a crushing feeling that I won't last long enough to appreciate it. Of course not. I snort and throw myself on the bed beside Jericho, burrowing my face into the pillows.

Jer puts his giant head on my back and I relax under his warmth. I let out a long sigh and turn my head to stare out of my window.

Everything is so fleeting. I chuckle. God this is ridiculous. Some part of me just wants to die already, get this nonsense over with. I just want to stop hurting.

My mind goes back, back before Lissa and I ran away. When our lives consisted of each other and our friends, before we knew about death and paranoia, before I was bound to her and had only my thoughts and feelings to think about.

What the hell am I supposed to do with this now? Am I supposed to fight for this, for them? For my life? I had tried to do that, most specifically for Lissa and now… now I'm tired. I'm not the same person but at the same time… I know I still love them all. They're my friends, my family.

But they left. How does it feel? Avery's voice haunts me and I growl softly. Dammit. I need to figure this out and quickly.

My phone chirps pathetically and I see a text from Alberta reminding me I have the night off to go to the upcoming dance. I groan. The phone chirps again. No, you don't have a choice, and yes, you're going. I groan louder and bury my face back in the pillows.

Life can suck it.

My stomach tightens painfully so I roll onto my back, disturbing Jericho from his sleep in the process. He gives me a look before pointedly going back to sleep. I crack a smile before taking his cue and stripping off my pants and get comfortable.

Sleep sounds like heaven. And it is.