Second Chance

Chapter 12

Being the Ruler

Jesse sighed, smiling slightly as he gazed up at the ceiling of his room. The sun poured in through the drawn curtains, giving a slight tinge to the room's lighting.

Two weeks had passed since the Ruler relinquished his powers, and things were already settling down. Sure, there was the occasional instance where he had to use his powers, but it mainly just involved some of the more difficult cases; he had the distinct suspicion that the Elders were holding off from piling on trouble for him. Not that he minded; he had plenty of trouble in his life without having to deal with choosing the fate of other people.

Of course, he occasionally felt someone's passing, and he would invariably feel sad – sad for the person and their family. He wished he could call the game, yet didn't want to at the same time; he remembered how much trouble the game had caused him, but it had also given him back his friend.

"Jess, come down here!" called Nancy. "Your father and I want to talk to you."

"Coming!" he yelled, getting up from his bed and going downstairs.

"Jess," Jack said. "You'd better go to your friend's."

"Why?"

Jack and Nancy looked at each other, before facing Jess.

"She needs you; her grandfather was hospitalized," Nancy said.

Jesse nodded; now was his test, he knew. He would have to decide whether to upset Leslie or not, though he had to give her a choice. Quickly, he put on his sneakers and ran, heading toward the Burke's place. Stopping in front of the door, he knocked.

The door opened, and Judy Burke stood in the doorway, looking at Jess questioningly.

"Hi, Mrs. Burke," said Jesse. "I heard what happened."

"Come in," she said. "Leslie's in the living room."

"Thank you," he said, walking towards the living room. There he stood in the doorway nervously, unsure what to say. Leslie sat there, staring at the far wall angrily, as though blaming it for her grandfather's illness.

He looked at her. She was a mess; tears stained her cheeks, and he was about to back off, but Judy gently pushed him towards Leslie, who glanced at him.

"Hey, Jess," she said weakly.

"Hey," he said, smiling slightly. "May I sit down?"

Leslie nodded, scooting over on the couch to make room for him. He sat down on the offered spot, confused – he didn't know what do do.

Leslie suddenly hugged him, and he looked at her, surprised, before hugging her.

"Hey," he said. "I heard what happened, Leslie."

She nodded. "Will he – will he survive?"

He sighed, closing his eyes and focusing on her grandfather. He did this for several minutes as she watched him intently. Finally, he opened his eyes and hesitantly nodded.

"He'll survive, but..." He trailed off; he didn't want to tell her the condition.

"But what?"

"He won't know who he is. His spirit's too cut off."

"So, he's dead either way?"

Jesse nodded. "I'm afraid so. I can only make him suffer less by escorting him away."

"Shouldn't my parents decide?"

He shook his head. "I can't. The Elders know that you know, but, if I tell anyone else, they'll destroy more than just me."

"So it's my choice."

Jesse nodded. "But I can help you. I can let you have a goodbye; his spirit is intact."

Leslie began sobbing quietly, tears streaming down her cheeks, but nodded. "Okay. There's no choice, I guess... We'll all suffer more if I make him stay, right?"

"Yes. But you'll suffer either way; I can't make you forget."

"I don't want to forget."

"That's what Monster-Mouth Myers said. Never forget. Rather, keep him alive, in your heart. That's what makes it worth it."

"What do I do?"

Jesse blushed slightly. "You'll have to make contact..." he mumbled.

Leslie nodded, smiling weakly, and grabbed Jesse's hand. He squeezed back reassuringly, before closing his eyes, preparing for the ordeal. Leslie closed her eyes, as well.

When they opened their eyes, they found themselves in a white emptiness that was slowly darkening. In the distance stood a human shape. It was Leslie's grandfather.

"Grandfather!" Leslie exclaimed, running to hug him.

"Leslie," he said. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I won't be there for you anymore."

"You know?"

He nodded. "But I'll watch over you. You'll never be alone."

"I know, Grandpa."

Jesse stood in the distance, watching the two.

"That's Jess, right?"

Leslie nodded, and her grandfather walked up to the boy.

"Hey, Jess," her grandfather said, extending his hand.

"Mr. Burke," Jess replied, shaking the man's hand.

"You'll be taking me away after this, right?"

Jesse nodded. "I'll have to, I'm afraid."

"It's okay. I've lived a long life. And I trust you'll take care of Leslie."

"With my life, if necessary," Jesse replied, blushing.

"I'll hold you to that."

"Grandpa," Leslie said.

"Leslie, tell your parents I love them both. I feel like I haven't told them enough, and now it's too late for me."

"They know, Grandpa. They know."

"I'm sorry," Jesse said. "But I'll have to finish this soon."

"It's okay," Leslie's grandfather said. "I'm ready."

He hugged Leslie, and then let Jesse guide him away, eventually vanishing.

Jesse and Leslie then broke the connection to the world of the dead.

Judy Burke walked in and found the two holding hands. She smiled.

"I'm happy for you, Leslie," she said.

A/N: One more chapter left, but the next one will be hard to write – the funeral for Leslie's grandfather and setting up for the next story. Originally, I thought to make this the end, but I felt that Judy seeing them holding hands was a good tag line, but not a good story ending.

Unfortunately, the next chapter won't be released until next Friday at the earliest – I've got college work and we're moving this week, so I won't have Internet access until Tuesday, anyway.