Chapter 15: Till Death Do Him Part

My head pounded like a bunch of heavy hammers were beating away at my skull. The feel of warm blood streamed down the side of my face, causing me to become lightheaded when I attempted to sit myself up. I coughed forcefully, trying to get my breath back, but with no prevail. As I fell back onto the cold concrete floor, I placed my hand on my stomach. This damn corset was causing my lack of breathing. Forgetting my dress was blocking my way to it, I scratched my nails over the satin material. Failing, my arms fell lifelessly to the ground.

"Jonathan?" I called out softly, almost in a desperate whisper. Waiting, I heard nothing. I called out his name again, and again, and again. Nothing. Not a sound. My teeth chattered from the bitter cold while I looked around the dank room. I was alone. My heart raced as it soon became harder for me to breathe. As I lay on that floor, I felt that I was going to die. I feared such a thing, but at the same time, I was willing to embrace it. I did not know how long I had been in this room, but I knew it was long enough to numb my entire body.

"God, please help me," I whimpered while tears fell. The more my fear rose, the harder they fell. My lungs felt like they were about to burst from my deep sobs. My body shook like a massive spasm entered me. Though I could not feel myself shaking against the floor, I could feel the tremors within me. "Please help me!" The sound of my cry echoed. It was just then, as I felt myself weakening, I heard what sounded like the creaking of a door and the dark room around me growing bright.

"No one is coming to help you, my dear," a deep, unfamiliar voice whispered. The sound of footsteps came closer and stopped above me, but as I looked up, all I could see was a black shadow. I felt the strong arms of the stranger lift me from off the ground and just as I was about to fall deep into unconsciousness once more, he added, "He's not coming to help you."

It seemed like days had passed when I began to stir. As I moved, I could no longer feel the coldness of the hard concrete floor I was once on. Instead, I felt comfortable and warm. It must have been a dream, I assumed as I moved deeper into the soft blankets. However, I was soon woken up completely when the door slammed open. As I jolted myself upward, I became confused. Where was I? This was not the usual room I slept in. Looking over myself, I noticed I was still in my ball gown.

"Pardon the rude awakening, miss. But it seems you have been summoned," a smooth voice spoke as they approached me. Looking towards them, I instantly recognized them. It was the black furred mouse that I had seen when we were stepping out of the carriage. Those turquoise eyes looking over me made me feel slightly uncomfortable. "Well, are you going to sit there gawking at me all night? Come along, he's waiting." Pulling me out of the very large bed, I had no choice but to follow. But who was this He this mouse was referring to? Jonathan? Or someone else?

We stepped into a rather large room where all around me was nothing but piles upon piles of diamonds, rubies, and coins. Getting closer to whoever this particular individual was, the mouse then threw me to the ground.

"My sincere apologies for summoning you like this, my dear. Amadeus has never been the most kind towards women. I trust you slept well. You took quite a nasty fall when my boys came to fetch you." Not really paying much attention to the one that was speaking to me, I glanced upward and to my complete shock I was Jonathan locked up in chains.

"Oh, God…," I whispered with fear. Stumbling towards him, I was stopped dead in my tracks when I noticed the blood trail from the back of his head down to his face. "Jesus, Jonathan? Jonathan, please wake up." It took a moment or two, but finally he began to respond.

"Paula…," he said in a mere whisper.

"I'm here," lifting his head so that he could see that it was indeed true. "Just open your eyes and you'll see." Doing so, we looked into each other's eyes. Though he was in pain, I could see happiness in those eyes, but that soon changed when he looked away from me. I was confused when I saw the sudden fear.

"Jonathan, what's wrong?" I asked.

"He knows very well what the matter is." That voice…I've heard it before, that slimy, deranged tone. Looking behind me, I gasped I fear as I backed away in fear.

"Y-you were dead," Jonathan whispered, the sound of fright in his voice as he spoke, "but how-?"

"Close," the vial creature chuckled cruelly, "however the resemblance is practically the same. Do not let that fool you, old boy."

"What?"

"James Ratigan," he introduced himself rather formally with a slight bow, "the son ofyour former arch enemy." For a moment, there was nothing but absolute silence between the two. It was clear that the detective was baffled by what he had just heard.

"But that is impossible! Ratigan never had any children-"

"That is because he never allowed that slight of information to become public knowledge, though I will never know why. He kept it from being known as if he was ashamed to the thought. He despised children and this be had made perfectly clear."

"Then why did he keep you?"

"I was to be his beneficiary when the time was right. He felt I would be of some use to him for years to come. Of course, this was to be made reality once you were finally out of the way."

"Well it seems that failed on both parts," Jonathan commented, a tone of bravery in his voice.

"Not necessarily. I have still taken over, but it now seems that I have to finish what we had started. Being rid you! That was supposed to be my father's greatest achievement; but no, you have to come on top once more."

"So you chose to come after me as an act of revenge."

"Did you think I would let you get away with what you did?" James boomed as he hastily rose from his seat.

"And Paula-Miss Méndez, what does she have to do with this? She has done nothing to you."

James chuckled drolly, turning away from us. "How charming; you two are on first name terms. What's next, Basil? Courtship? A proposal? Marriage? Doesn't seem like you at all, does it?"

"My personal life is not any business of yours," Jonathan snapped forcefully as he attempted to step forward, but the restraints held him back as he grunted.

"To be frank with you, I make it my business. Everything you do; every single move you make." Kneeling in front of the detective for a brief moment, James grinned. "Now to answer your question concerning the woman beside you; Miss Méndez has everything to do with you being here tonight, the reason she is here in England."

"So it was you who took her!"

"Why sound so shocked? Did you think I would be completely like my father, standing off to the side? Sure, I let them have their idiotic fun where they obviously were caught, but I was able to learn from his mistakes. The biggest one was having those poor excuses for henchman (those some I myself will admit were worth keeping around). They were able to keep the entire Empire occupied from those petty crimes while I did my part. Those murders were quite an enjoyment. Feeling the warm blood as it seeped in between my fingers."

"But why?" I asked bravely, not fully understanding any of this.

"I just love how naïve you try to be, child," James cackled, glancing at me straight on before turning back to Jonathan who seemed confused even more. "You see, Basil, this woman is not what you assumed she was."

"What do you mean?" questioned the detective.

As if he were surprised by the obvious fact, he questioned, "You mean, you have not figured it out yet? She has been slipping day to day, and you the great detective did not suspect anything."

"I-I did."

"Is that so? Apparently no enough to question why." Glancing over at me in such a lustful way made my stomach turn. "Did you ask her about that note? What was in it? Or better yet, did you happen to tell her about the letter you have received a few days prior?"

"There was another letter?" I asked Jonathan, but he ignored me as he kept focus on James.

"Yes but she refused to tell me. And I was going to tell her-"

"You were not going to say a single word to the child, Basil. You covered part of the story, in fact most of it with a lie. As for Miss Méndez here, she refused to tell you for one reason and one reason only: She did not want you to see the truth. Well, perhaps it is time she tells you now. Or even better, I will show you."

"Show me how? I-I-I don't understand-"

"You don't understand because you were dragged into the depths of her lies!" Walking towards a large statue, he paused directly in front of it. "Let us start from the beginning. My father came into the possession of a couple volumes when a few of his henchmen broke into an isolated cottage just outside of London. Having no use for said volumes, he tossed them to the side without any knowledge as to what was inside. Being incredibly curious during my youthful years, I took them. Inside those volumes held what could have brought this entire Empire to its very knees." Looking back at the detective, he added, "And you to your early demise.

"Each volume held different levels of the most darkest spells that could have made him unstoppable. After my discovery, I attempted many times to tell my father of this but he refused to listen; and like always tossed me aside as if I was nothing but wasted space. So behind his back, I decided to take matters into my own hands by studying everything I could find about black magic. Might I say, I found so much that was incredibly interesting to me and when I felt that I was ready, little by little I attempted the spells I had learned. But one I was to soon realize was the most greatest I could have ever done." Waving his hand, images appeared over the statue, but these certain images made my heart want to stop at that precise moment.

"Not being fully aware of the spell I was casting, I was intrigued with what I had seen, or to be more specific who I had seen." Looking back at me, he continued, "You were quite the child, Miss Méndez. So much joy and laughter; and yet, it never seemed to bother you that you were always alone. You were always in your little world of make-believe. More specifically: Our world."

Though I didn't see it, I could sense shock and confusion as Jonathan kept watching the images being shown in front of him. "But how can we be…?"

"This was what she feared to tell you, our world does not really exist. We are simply fiction. It makes you wonder what else she has been lying about, doesn't it, Basil? How about we begin with the obvious. What is she really? As you can clearly see, she is not like us. She is really one of them: A disgusting, careless human. However, unlike many of her kind, she has always had a soft spot for us delicate creatures."

"I…I don't believe you," said Jonathan helplessly.

"Do you? Well perhaps you will be more convinced if I tell you more."

"No, please!" I pleaded.

"How about where she comes from. As you yourself said, you were amazed that being from a place where the English is not the native language, she could speak the language very well. Why do you think that is?"

"She told me she was native to Puerto Rico, and that she learned the second language from her father."

"Close, but yet, so far. She does live in Puerto Rico, but she did not grow up on the island. As far as language is concerned, she is not a native Spanish speaker. In fact, she hardly knows the language! She has only lived on that island for barely a year." With one swift move, the bright light vanished, causing the room to darken greatly. Walking towards us, he held out a hand to me. "Now, my dear, I bet you are wondering why and how I brought you here."

Hesitating for a moment, I placed my own hand into his and he carefully rose me to my feet. Guiding me away, I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder towards Jonathan. At the moment, he wore no expression on his face. This made it difficult for me to figure out what he was feeling, if he was feeling anything at all. Taking me to what I could only assume was his living quarters, I began to worry for my very life. But as well as I possibly could, I remained calm; though he could more than likely see the fear in my eyes, especially after he closed the door behind us.

"It was magic," I said bravely as he walked over towards the large fireplace.

"Pardon?"

"How I got here, it was magic. You recited that spell and for some unknown reason it targeted me. I can only assume that you have been watching me for a good amount of time."

"You're assumption is indeed correct. I have been watching you for eighteen years as a matter of fact. Might I say, how interesting those eighteen years were. With each passing day, I got to know you and know your many interests."

"Yes, and one of those interests just had to be that stupid movie!"

"You didn't think it was. All those wishes you made throughout your life, especially when going through all the hard times. All you wanted was a way to escape it all."

"So why now? If what you say is true and you have been spying on me this whole time, why didn't you bring me here sooner?"

"Why do you think, my dear?"

"Probably because you are an egotistical bastard-"

"Hold you tongue, girl," he jumped in. "Feisty as you may be, you must learn to back down from battles you cannot win. Now I ask again, why do you think I waited until now to bring you here?"

"How the hell should I know?" I snapped. "If I had known ahead of time that making that wish would do this, I would have kept my mouth shut! So enlighten me, why now? More specifically, why in God's name did you also change me into this?"

"We couldn't have a mouse-sized human walking around, now could we?" He paused for a brief moment, waiting for me to reply. When he realized I wasn't going to say a word, he finally added, "I brought you here to distract him."

At this point, I felt like I had been shot. I could feel my eyes sting as I fought back my tears "To…To distract-You son of a…" I kept quiet for a second, gaining what composer I had left. My blood boiled as I glared at him. "You took me away from my home, away from my family and friends so that you could use me as a goddamn pawn!"

"Precisely. You see, Miss Méndez, everyone has a weak spot. I found yours, as well as his." Approaching me, he cupped my chin. "Emotions are his weakness, while yours…Yours was him." Feeling uneasy, I pulled away. Thankfully though, this reaction did not anger him, in fact, it amused him. "As I watched you, I saw how fond you had become over that retched fool."

Walking over to his desk, his fingers tapped loudly on the smooth surface. "You had quite the imagination. In fact, you still do. It was simply adorable how you fantasised him loving you. But in reality, it is nearly impossible for a mouse such as Basil of Baker Street to feel such a potent emotion."

"That's not true. I know real love and I have felt it, so has he."

"Is that so? My dear, how you make me laugh." Walking back towards me, his hands behind his back, he kept his eyes on me as he smiled mischievously. "It appears that I am left with no choice but to tell you the painful truth."

"The truth?"

"What he feels for you is a lie. Knowing that mouse, it would have been nearly impossible to get him where I wanted him without attracting some kind of attention. So knowing his weakness, I came up with a simple conclusion: A simple love spell. Your feelings for him gave me that idea to have him magically fall for you, that way he would be vulnerable. Once he knew the truth about you, his heart would be shattered, which it seems it has."

It was then I could no longer hold back the tears that fell freely. "No," was all I could get out as I felt my own heart being torn to shreds.

"Yes," James shot back in a mocking tone. "Oh, come, come now, enough with the tears. Do you think it is better that I have told you now? I think of that as saving you the hurt if you were to find out later on." He did make a valid point, if for some reason James was defeated, would the spell vanish and the feelings Jonathan had felt go away?

"Marry me…," he whispered as he came closer, a little too close for my liking.

"W-what?" I asked, hoping what I had just heard was only my imagination. It wasn't, when I looked at what was in his hands, I shuddered with fear. Sitting perfectly still in a bed of blue velvet was the precise engagement ring that had been stolen days earlier.

"Marry me and everything will return to the way it was. Tell him you do not love him and he will not remember a single thing of what he had felt for you." Save him? So, he only did all of this just so he could humiliate him? Why did that not feel right? At this point, I was willing to believe anything.

"Why can't you just send me back home? For once, just show some mercy and do that. You brought me here because of those damn books of yours and you sure as hell can send me back-"

"Of course I can send you back," James said with a loud chuckle. "The thing is why would I want to do that? It's a fair trade between me and that detective. He took something of mine, so in return, I take something of his."

"I am in no way anyone's property!"

"That is what you think. If you do not accept my offer, then he dies. If you do then he goes free." I wanted to fight back, but when he basically told me that I had no other option, I sighed with defeat. I didn't want to give in and probably be this rat's slave, but at the same time, I didn't want Jonathan to pay if I went against James either.

"But how can I also be so sure that you will not still harm him?"

"I can assure you no harm will come to him." I could feel something inside me shouting at me to not believe this horrid rat, but I felt so weak and tired from all that has happened that I just brushed over the obvious warning. "So, which is it going to be?"

I lowered my head and nodded in agreement. "I'll marry you," I answered, feeling like my world had just been taken away from me.

"That's a good girl." James accompanied me back into the large room where Jonathan still remained, only this time, he seemed more like himself. "Ah, I see you are back to your normal self judging by the harsh glare."

"Shut your mouth, you contemptible-"

"Ah, ah, ah, hold your tongue, Basil. Now, I shall let the two of you speak amongst yourselves, but still you better watch what you say." As James left me on my own, I felt my body shake with fear. I didn't know what to say, let alone how to say what I felt I should say. As I approached him, my stomach tightened. Lowering myself to meet his eyes, I brushed my hand across his bruised cheek.

"Please tell me the truth," Jonathan begged almost helplessly. "Tell me none of what I saw was true."

Feeling defeated, tears streamed down my face as I nodded. "I've let this go on for far too long. I'm fed up with the lying. Everything he said, everything you saw was true." My heart smashed as the words kept pouring out. "I-I wanted to tell you everything, but I was afraid you wouldn't believe me-"

"So you decided it was best to lie to me?" the snapped harshly. "I trusted you, Paula. If you would have just told me, I would have-"

"No, you wouldn't have, Jonathan! How could you believe someone if they told you they were from the future, let alone from a completely different world?"

"I-I'd try."

"No! The second I uttered one word you probably would have thought I was insane and send me to an asylum." I knew he was in complete denial for all he did was shake his head as I spoke. He wanted to believe the same thing I did, but knew I had to make him see the truth.

"The night you found me by your flat, did you notice anything unusual about me?"

"No…"

"Jonathan, enough! I'm trying to be truthful with you; now damn it, be the same with me. When you found me, there must have been something strange about me." His answer did not change and my patience was running thin. "You know there was something! Remember, please!"

It took him a few seconds before he groaned. This told me everything. "There was," he answered, feeling defeated. "I didn't notice it at first, but while I was carrying you inside, I saw it."

"What was it?"

"It…it was a shirt. A very strange shirt."

Here we go. "Do you happen to remember what it looked like? Did it say anything on it?"

He nodded. "It was mostly black all over. On the front, there was a graveyard, but it did have writing on both sides. It was the most obscene thing I had ever laid eyes on." He paused, thinking for a brief moment before focusing on me once more. "Who are you?"

"You know who I am, at least by name."

"And you really are a human?"

"Yes," I answered painfully.

"How far in the future are you from?"

"I'm from the year 2010."

"How did you come to know this world-I mean…us?"

"Jonathan, don't hurt torture yourself more than-"

"Paula, just tell me, please!" he demanded.

I sighed deeply, knowing this wasn't going to be easy to explain, but now I had no choice. "I came to know you all through a Disney movie called The Great Mouse Detective that was released to video in 1992. I was 3 years old at the time. For eighteen years, I learned to love and appreciate you as a character. But when I was a child, you were more like an imaginary friend to me. I used to wish that I could meet you—all of you—face to face. As I got older, I soon began to understand that wishing for something like that was impossible."

"But you still made that wish anyway." I nodded in silence. Even though I knew the reality of wishing on stars, I still did it. But I never knew the outcome it would bring for I thought it was a childish thing. Instead, it turned out to be much more.

"It hurts to know the truth, doesn't it, Basil?" James asked with a large grin plastered on his face as he broke the silence between us, hoping to get a reaction out of the detective.

Ignoring him, Jonathan's jade eyes remained locked on mine. "You believed that I was real. Those images…You imagined that I was there with you."

"I did," I told him, "back when I was just a child who thrived on her own imagination. Back when it was just a simple fictional crush."

"But this is no longer fiction."

"I know it isn't."

"So how do you feel now since you have been here?" I knew what this question was coming and I knew what I was supposed to say. However, I couldn't. I couldn't lie to him any longer. If I told him that I did not love him, it would destroy him…Destroy him…That's it! He wanted me to tell him that horrid lie so that Jonathan would not be able to fight back and would easily be defeated. I on the other hand, probably would not be sent back home either. God, how incredibly stupid can I possibly get? I should have realized it sooner. "Paula? Please answer me."

"Yes, darling, tell him how you really feel," that vial rat told me. I had to think of something, but with Jonathan chained up, and James possibly blocking our only way out of here, there was no chance of us escaping. "I believe he is waiting for your answer."

The moment of truth…Looking into the detective's eyes, I could see the desperation in them. Taking a deep breath, I leaned into him and caught his lips with mine in a deep passionate kiss. It took him a moment before he reacted as he return my kiss.

"I love you, Jonathan," I whispered when we finally pulled away. This was not what James wanted to see, let alone hear when he growled angrily. Stomping towards us, he ripped me away from Jonathan's embrace.

"You stupid girl!" he shouted furiously. I tried to get away, but I stopped abruptly when I felt what I could only assume was a gun pointed against my head. "Hector!"

"Sir?" another mouse questioned as he ran into the room.

"Take him away!" he ordered. I no longer cared as I tried to break free. I begged James to let him be, but he ignored my plea. I watched as Jonathan fought Hector away, however the mouse came on top and with one punch, knocked him out. Once again, I struggled to get to him, but the rat's grip was too strong for me to break away. "Don't worry, my dear," he whispered harshly, "you'll be with your precious Jonathan soon enough."

"Let go of me!" I demanded while he dragged me back into his chambers. "I said let go, you son of a bitch!" Without skipping a beat, he backhanded me, causing my nose to bleed.

"How dare you defy me, you pathetic wench," he hissed, gripping my wrist tightly.

"I'm glad I did. I have had it with the lies, and I am not going to keep lying to him so that you can avenge him. Your father deserved what he got."

"That bastard killed him!" James attacked louder than before, pointing at the door. "He deserves to burn in Hell."

Not thinking twice about my action, as well as the consequences that awaited me, I stood my ground. "You know, it is amazing and incredibly sad how you can still care about someone who obviously didn't give a shit about you."

Gripping my arms tightly, he snarled angrily as he threw me onto the bed behind me. Before having a chance to get away, he leaped on top of me, restraining my arms with his won above me. It was then that I realized his intentions while I struggled underneath him, attempting to break free. Looking up at him with fear, I could see the lust in his yellow eyes.

"I wonder if he will still love you once he sees how much of a whore you are."

"No, don't do this!" I pleaded as I felt my own gown being torn away from me, my corset following.

"Beg all you want. It is not going to make me change my mind." Right as he was about to remove the top part of my undergarments, I began to flail my legs. Getting my lucky break, I made a direct hit that had him doubling over in pain. As he fell, his grip tore part of the top as well as leaving a long deep scratch across my chest. Jumping off, I ran towards the door. Trying to open it, I failed to realize it was locked. Thankfully, during all his rage, James has left the key inside the lock.

"Seize her!" I heard him shout as I made my escape, heading in the direction that Jonathan was taken.

Shouting his name, I dodged a few mice that tried to obtain me. It was when I saw James' head henchman that I froze, for in his hand was a large knife. Strangely enough, it wasn't the weapon I was worrying about. Looped his belt loop was a chain of keys. Since it was he that locked Jonathan away, I knew one of those had to belong to whatever cell he put him in. How I was going to get without being killed, I had yet figured out and was not going to have time planning. He lunged at me and before I could really move safely out of the way, the blade sliced my arm. That didn't slow me down when he tried to take another shot at me. I elbowed him and he felt to the ground with a loud thud. With my arm and elbow throbbing in pain, I struggled to get the keys from him while he lied on the ground groaning from the pain I inflicted upon him. Finally succeeding, I made a run for it when I heard more footsteps from behind.

Feeling my heart like it was pounding in my head, I called out to Jonathan once more. This time, I sighed with utter relief when I heard a fait response. Following his voice, I slipped when I took too much of a sharp turn at the end of a short hallway. The very impact seemed to knock the wind out of me, but I did not allow that to stop me. Not giving myself time to recover, I sprung to my feet and continued on.

Reaching the cell he was confined in, I didn't give myself a chance to breathe. One by one, I tried each key, praying one of them would unlock the door. The pressure that was bestowed upon me caused me to drop the keys. Forgetting which one I had last, since most seemed almost similar, I was forced to start over. In my mind, I told myself to hurry and get the door open, but the shaking fear in my body did not help much. Finally hearing a loud click, I flung the door open, happy to see Jonathan on the other side.

"Are you all right," he asked, holding me tightly as I sobbed deeply. For I could not speak, I nodded. "Shh, calm down. It's all right. I'm fine." His soothing voice, seemed to help. As we pulled away from our embrace, he was shocked to see the state I was in, the tear in my top that James had made practically exposed part of my chest and when he slapped me, it left a large black and blue bruise on my cheek. Feeling embarrassed and ashamed, I looked away.

"Jonathan-"

"No need to explain," he interrupted, "let's just get out of here." Grabbing hold of my hand, he pulled me through the dark hallway. What I did not know was that we were heading in the very same direction I had come from. He soon learned that was a big mistake on his part when I was ripped away from him and thrown against the wall, the impact causing my body to tense up from extreme pain as I dropped to the ground. Looking up, I watched in horror when James pulled out a revolver, shooting Jonathan in the side. He cried out in pain and fell to the ground, his hand covering the wound as the blood seeped through his fingers.

"I was going to let you die quickly, but I then I remembered that I am not that lenient," James growled as he kick him to the ground.

"Stop, please!" I begged when I saw him aim the gun at the detective once more.

"Shut up!" he shouted angrily, turning towards me. "You…You little-You just had to go ahead and ruin everything. My life's work. My perfect opportunity to destroy the one thing that destroyed my father! You shall pay-"

"Screw you!" Silence filled the room while James stood stiff, feeling as if he has just been smacked hard across the face.

"Excuse me?" he questioned as calmly as he possibly could.

"You heard me." I knew my moment of valour was about to come to an abrupt end, but I was not fully aware of what kind of an end until I was swooped off the ground, gasping for air while he held a massive grip around my throat.

"James!" Jonathan shouted, struggling to get to his feet. "It's me you want, not her!" Turning towards him, James threw me hard to the ground, almost causing me to black out as my head hint the hard floor. "This is between you and me. Leave her out of this."

"Oh, I'll leave her out of it just as soon as I get what I want from her."

Knowing his intention, I could hear Jonathan growl from anger, followed by a loud grunt. Feeling lightheaded from my head injury, I could only make out these blurry images. The struggle did not last long for I knew right from the start that he couldn't take James on his own, and he knew it too. Though he really did not care as the hideous rat tossed him around like a rag doll, causing more pain and injury to the detective.

"You don't know when to accept defeat, do you?" James asked amusingly, breaking something in his adversary's body when he landed on the ground once more.

Holding in his scream, Jonathan painfully stood up, leaning against the wall for support. "I'll never give in, James."

"Then you are an even bigger fool than my father gave you credit for!" With one punch, he was back on the ground.

Slowly my vision started to come back as I heard a loud clanking sound, followed by a light tap at the bottom of my foot. Sitting myself up, and wincing in pain, I noticed the thing that hit me was James' revolver. Was this telling me that I had to end it?

Grabbing it, I aimed it at the large rodent as he towered over Jonathan who now lay on the ground bleeding horribly. Cocking it, I closed my eyes, praying that I made a direct hit. I screamed as the shot when off and though my body trembled, I had no choice but to see if I hit my target. I sat there shocked and horrified when I saw a stream of blood seep out of the bullet wound on James' back. The ending result was not what I was hoping for when he turned towards me, his eyes filled with so much anger and rage. Though the hit was fatal, I looked over at Jonathan, hoping for some kind of miracle that he would get up and finish him off. My hopes were shattered as he slowly made his way towards me. Fear of what he might do, I backed again the wall.

"You…," he began before finally he began to choke on blood and collapsed to the ground. It took me a minute or two to realize that he was dead; or rather, I hoped he was. I grunted when I tried to get to my feet. My body was sore from being thrown all over creation, but at the same time, my pain did not matter to me.

"Jonathan?" I said softly when I collapsed near his limp body. Rolling him over, I gasped when I saw all the bruises and cuts all of his face. His shirt was badly stained with blood and torn from the harsh landings. "Jonathan, please wake up." My pleading worked when he soon began to respond. "Are you all right?"

"Where is he?" he asked in a horse tine, dodging my question of concern completely.

"Dead, at least I think he is," I answered. "But that doesn't matter. We need to get out of here."

"No, not yet." Sitting up, he groaned. "I need to be sure."

Before he could stand, I stopped him. "Don't-"

Not listening to my plea, I helped him up when I saw the look on impatience in his eyes. Hissing under his breath, he leaned against the wall. When he thought he could move, he took the revolver that I had completely forgot was in my possession. Armed and ready to fire, he slowly walked towards the body. I tried to follow, but he stopped me, telling me that it might not be safe for me to come closer. He asked me precisely where I shot him and I answered.

"Most likely it pierced his heart," he stated loudly as he carefully lowered himself to the ground. I knew he wasn't speaking to me directly as he checked for a pulse. None could be found. "Let Scotland Yard deal with this." When he rose to his feet, I noticed him stumbled. Before he could fall, I ran to steady him, but he pulled away.

"You can't stand on your own, we need to get you to a hospital."

"I'll be fine!" he snapped harshly. Leaving it as is, I chose not to argue for I didn't know what to say to convince him otherwise. Sighing, I look down at my hands to see them covered with blood. His blood.

"Miss Méndez?" Looking back at the body once more, I stepped away, wiping Jonathan's blood onto my own stained undergarments before following him.