Part Four

disclaimer : I own nothing, that goes to our dear Leigh, James and Darren

"So, how's things?"

Tara smiled from across the table. The two had made plans to meet every week, always a new restaurant or cafe. Today, it was Juan's, a Mexican

place. Latin music played softly in the background, and Amanda couldn't help but notice how the pale yellow of the walls contrasted with Tara's

dark body.

"Alright, alright. John's been getting a bit worse, he's on oxygen now."

Tara shook her head, "A shame, really."

Amanda never stayed on these subjects long, even though Tara seemed willing to speak of them and cared.

"How's the business?"

Tara laughed, "Oh, God! Awful! I'm barely making a profit."

Amanda shrugged. "Could be worse."

"Well...yeah." Tara sighed, "Hey, Amanda..."

"Yeah?"

"I don't want to sound..nihilistic, or cold hearted, but.. what do you plan to do when John's gone?"

"I'm not sure."

Tara smiled a little, "I've been looking for a new place, and, God, we're in our thirties now, but would you want to go into an apartment with me?"

Amanda thought quickly to herself. There was her tiny apartment she was never at, and there was the lair. She hated to think of it, but John had

less than a year left. Maybe six good months. The lair would go to her, but she needn't keep the apartment she had now.

Tara interupted her thoughts, "I know, it's something kids would do, but -"

"I'll do it."

"Good! I'll look into places, you know, cheap but decent."

For the rest of their time Tara spoke of their future home. Amanda vaguely heard it, for her mind was on other things. Namely the game.

Tara dropped her off at her usual spot.

"I'm so happy we're doing this, Mandy, it's as if we're sisters!"

Amanda smiled, "Of course, Tara, of course."

"Amanda, I need to speak to you."

John was sitting by himself at his desk, breathing heavily. Months had passed since that night she learned of his past. They never spoke of the

night again, but they had learned to come together once more. Now that John was growing weaker, Amanda was learning the true meaning

of being a caretaker, and about what life was soon to be like.

"Hmm?" she sat across from him, but reached across the table to take his hand in her's.

"I don't have much time left. I can't be fixed Amanda, but... You're almost done. Soon enough you won't need me, you can continue the games on

your own. There's one last thing you need to prove."

"Oh?"

"I looked into Detective Matthew's past. There's a boy, of sixteen... Daniel. That's his name, Daniel."

"Yes?"

"We need him. He's the bait for Matthews. He's done nothing wrong that I know of, nothing a child wouldn't do, but he's going in the game."

"You're putting him in the game? Isn't that -"

"No, he will be perfectly fine. In a safe place. The boy will not be harmed."

"How?"

"You are going with him. You will protect him."

Amanda's jaw dropped, "You mean... you mean I have to go into the game?"

John nodded.

"Amanda, this is your final step. Take it."

Amanda shook her head, "John, this is serious, I mean, didn't I already prove I was worthy?"

"Oh you have, Amanda, you have. You're worthy of everything this world can give you and anything I can pass to you."

"Then why are you making me do this? I did this for you! I did this!" she pulled her sleeves back, showing him the white bandages on her wrists.

"John, I've had enough!"

"Amanda!" he snapped, his hand darted out to grip her wrist so tightly she cried out in pain, "This is it. Concentrate!"

"No!"

She released herself from him, and nearly ran out of the room.

She didn't even feel herself fall, didn't hear her body hit the ground. It was all too much. John loved her, but why did he torture her so?

It wasn't just the games, or the tests, it was everything. He was going to die. He was going to leave her.

Her fate had already been set.

She hadn't known she'd passed out either, until she came to, and turned to see none other than him.

They were on the bed, and she knew, just i knew /i this would be the last time she ever laid in this bed with him. She could feel it, deep down,

that something was coming.

More than anything, more than love, she hated him now. This would be the last memories of him, and she hated him.

His hands were again on her wrists, and she struggled, but to no avail. For a dying man, he still had a will that couldn't be broken.

"I'm sorry." was all he said, his face lowering to her's.

"What?"

"Hear me now, I'm sorry." he pressed his face to her's, eyes closing, "I know I've hurt you. But it was out of love, it is for the better. I'm sorry,

Amanda."

"Say it just once more."

This was the only thing she ever wanted to remember of him once he was dead and gone.

"I'm sorry."

Now, she couldn't hate him, even though it felt as if she did.

Lips met lips for one last time, as both struggled to keep this memory. He broke the kiss momentarily to give attention to the nape of her neck,

where his mouth stayed. The soft fabric of her pants were soon pulled down as she felt his fingers begin to probe her in her most sensitive area.

She gasped, "John..."

His index and middle finger were soon inside of her, his thumb teasing her elsewhere.

"You must meet death,"

He was interrupted by a moan from her, as she grasped onto his body for support.

"...But you have to you have to chose life,"

As she reached closer to climax she began to breath heavily, John smiled to himself.

"You cannot follow me in death, but please help my legacy live in life." his icy eyes caught hers just in time for a pang of ecstasy to echo

through her abdomen.

His voice was like an aphrodisiac as it spoke into her ear, "Promise me you'll do it."

"I...I..." Amanda felt herself nearing the final step, "I promise!" she yelled, as she thrusted her hips at him one last time, her muscles clenching and spasming around his digits. She loved the feeling, not just because of the way it felt, but because she was with him.

His fingers ceased moving as Amanda sighed against him, her face on his shoulder.

"When do I have to go into the game?"

"...Soon."

There was a sudden prick in Amanda's bicep and she looked down to see a needle there, "What's that?"

"To help you rest, my dear."

"John..." she whimpered, "John, this is it..."

He didn't aknowledge her.

She faintly remembered him telling her of the boy named Daniel again. Before she drifted out of consciousness she remembered another

needle pricking into her skin, this one was filled with a green serum.

Amanda wouldn't wake up for many hours later.

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To be continued perhaps...