Okay, this is the last chapter of the story. I feel both happy and sad. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you all for taking the time to read this story. I really appreciate it. Thank you.

Left with Two Petals

Chapter Nine: The Last of Rose

"Jake!" someone was shaking him. "Jake! C'mon, dude, wake up!"

Jake blinked. "Huh? Wha? Rose?" Jake was back to his human form.

When his vision grew clearer, he found Cliff looking at him, waiting for him to awaken.

"Cliff?" Jake burst as he sat up straight. "You…! Where's Rose? What have you done with her?" he demanded, anger in his voice.

"Jake, just chill. She's fine."

"Where. Is. She!" Jake shouted, urging to pounce on him.

Cliff sighed. "You… want to know where she is?" he asked calmly, not sure how Jake will take this.

"What are you? Deaf? Yes, I want to know!"

Cliff sighed again. "Look, Jake, before I tell you, I just want you to know… something about the music box. Is that alright with you?"

"You already told me, you jerk! It controls the souls you capture in it!"

"No. See, you don't understand. The music box was my grandmother's. She was the one controlling me. My soul had been captured, too."

Jake just looked at him. "So… what are you telling me?"

"My soul has been freed. So did the others'. Now, they're safely back within their bodies."

"Where are their bodies?"

"In graves, of course."

"Graves?"

"My grandmother had to kill them first before taking their souls."

"Wait. Then… that means…"

"I'm dead," Cliff told him. "By capturing the youths' souls, my grandmother's able to grow gain more power and become more younger. Her goal is to capture the souls of all the youths in this world and reign over it. And, most especially, you, Jake. She longs for your soul more than any other youth."

Jake looked down. "Then, does that mean, Rose is dead, too?"

"Yes."

Jake felt his breath stop.

"And no."

"Huh? What?" he looked back at him, confusion lit his face. "What are you talking about? Of course she's dead! Isn't she?"

"Remember, how she snatched the box from me and saved you?"

Jake nodded.

"I guess… her love for you is stronger… than for me. Much, much stronger. It was so strong, that my grandmother lost total control of her."

"Now, my question. Where is she?"

"She's… somewhere. I don't know. But, wherever she is, she's probably thinking about you."

Jake sighed. "So, there's no hope in finding her now?"

Cliff shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. But, she'll always be with you. I know it."

They let silence take over for a while. Then, Cliff stood up and ended it with a "Well, I gotta be going now."

"Going where?" Jake stood up, too.

"I have thirteen years before I return to my grave. And during those years, I'll do whatever it takes to seal my grandmother away in her music box."

"Thirteen years?"

"I don't have much time, so I must go. Now. Because I'm the only who can stop her."

"What about me? I mean, I'm the American Dragon."

"Yes, I know. I'm a dragon, too."

Suddenly, Cliff turned into an ice-blue, snowy dragon.

"Y-Y-You're a d-d-dragon? I-I can't believe it, but how… why…?"

"It's a long story, Jake. Maybe another time, okay? No wonder why, my grandmother hates me so much. She's a member of the Huntsclan."

"Well," he turned to Jake. "Farewell, Jake. I thank you. And your friend, Rose. I send my greatest wishes onto the both of you. Oh, and you better be going now, too. Your grandfather is waiting for you."

"What? You mean… Gramps… isn't dead?"

"It was Rose. She tied him up in a closet. Farewell, Jake…" Then, Cliff vanished like thin smoke, evaporating into the sky.

"You're a good guy, Cliff," Jake said to himself. "I'll never forget you."

And if Rose were here, he added silently. She would say the same thing.

On the way back to Gramps' shop, Jake continued to think about Rose and her adventure.

Rose had no choice, he told himself. She had two great guys by her side and she loved them both. And now, she left them. But they'll always be there, still, waiting for her.

If Rose wants me, she'll live. If Rose wants Cliff, she'll die. But whether she'll choose Cliff or me, we'll all still be close friends. No matter where we are. 'Cuz we're all part of each others' lives. Like petals are to a rose.

THE END