A/N: The song used in this chapter is called 'Bring Me to Life' by Evanescence.

-x-

I woke up and opened my eyes, only to shut them again once I was met with a blinding light. I remembered voices, calling me, trying to get me to wake up. Jack was holding my hand. Tony ran up to me. I think I had fainted.

I sat up and went to rub my eyes, but my right shoulder was in a sling. That's when I remembered.

Ric was dead.

Leaning back again, so I was lying flat on my back again, I began to cry. Cry for Ric. Did he go through any pain? Why him? He was going to take me! He shouldn't have listened to Ric.

Tony, Jack, Lucas and Cassie came running into my room, with a nurse right behind them.

"Hi sweetheart. I'm so glad you're okay!" Tony rushed over to me and kissed me on the forehead. I stayed emotionless though, not saying a word.

"Johnny has been arrested, he's staying put this time as well, Tilly. You don't need to worry." I moved my gaze from the wall straight in front of me to Lucas' face. Why wasn't he upset? His best friend was dead. Did he not have a heart?

"I thought I'd lost you, Mattie. Don't ever do that to me again, okay?" Cassie laughed. Cassie wasn't upset either. In fact no one in the room looked like their friend had been killed.

-x-

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
Before I come undone
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I've become

"How can you guys be so upbeat?" I asked through my tears. I carried on when I saw the confused look on their faces. "Jack? You haven't said anything have you?"

Jack slowly shook his head and I burst into tears.

"Hasn't anyone even considered the fact that Ric isn't here?" I looked around at the clueless people around me. I took a deep breath. "He killed him. Ric's gone. He was shot," I whispered softly before turning to bury my face in my pillow.

"What?" Cassie's voice cracked.

"I can't officially tell you guys until the body is found but…"

"Is it true, Jack?" Lucas said impatiently, trying to control his emotions.

"Yes, Ric was shot by Johnny. There's no trace of a body, if there isn't one in the next few days, this will be a murder investigation."

-x-

Now that I know what I'm without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
Before I come undone
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I've become

Bring me to life
(I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside)
Bring me to life

 One Week Later…

I sat at the beach, the same spot that I had sat at every day since I had gotten out of hospital. My eyes were now too dry to even attempt to cry. I had no voice from all of the screaming and sobbing I had done, though I still tried to shout. Everyone had been so sympathetic, although they didn't know the real story. Tessa was devastated when she found out. She had fainted just like I had. I still couldn't believe it. Any minute now, I expected Ric to come up behind me and scare the living daylights out of me. But he wouldn't.

The body still hadn't been found, traces of his blood had though. He was pronounced dead yesterday afternoon. The doctors and police agreed that no one would have been able to survive this long, especially with a gunshot wound. That was if he didn't die instantly anyway.

"Mattie," Tasha called. "Lunch is ready," she said softly. Tasha and Robbie had come back to the Bay when they heard about the 'incident' as everyone was calling it. They had been great support even though I had hardly said a word to either of them since they came.

I looked out at the ocean. Where we had spent so many fun times, just splashing about in there. Ric would throw me in, and I'd swear revenge on him. I missed him so much already, his presence, and his voice, his everything.

I hadn't told Tessa about the nights I had spent with Ric. That was his job; I cursed him for dying just so he could get out of it. I gave out a small laugh at my stupidity.

"Why Ric huh? Couldn't you just have left me alone? If we'd have never have fallen in love, if we'd have never met, this wouldn't have happened!" I shouted out to the sky. "If we hadn't fallen in love, you would still be here! Living life to the full."

-x-

-x-

"Ric! I hate this! I hate myself! It should have been me. You didn't have to die! If I'd never been with you! If you'd never met me! This would have never happened! Why did we have to meet?" I shouted.

"It wouldn't have made a difference, I was in love with you before I met you anyway…" I froze, now I was imagining things. I really needed to sleep.

I turned round and there he was, in the flesh. Ric.

-x-

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
Before I come undone
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I've become

(Bring me to life)
I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside
(Bring me to life)

A/N: I couldn't kill him and most of you knew I couldn't as well :) I've now written up to chapter twenty two on my computer so there are many more chapters to come. Thank you for the reviews, they make this story worth writing.