Chapter Six

Gabriel

Heaven's gates won't open up for me
With these broken wings I'm fallin'
And all I see is you
These city walls ain't got no love for me
I'm on the ledge of the eighteenth story
And all I scream for you

"Let's make a deal, your Majesty. If you die quietly, I'll let the kid go free. I've set the date of your execution, it's the day after tomorrow. Sunrise. The entire Grand Ball will watch their beloved king die. Of course, you've got a choice. You can come and get it over it, and Moose can go home to his girlfriend, no strings attached. Or you can run and we'll chase you two down and kill you like the dogs you are. Your choice, your Highness, it's all up to you. No pressure."

Gabriel waited until Moose was asleep before he went into his bedroom and dissolved into sobs. It had been years since he had shed a tear. Not since his parents' funeral. He wondered what life would be like if they were still living. He probably wouldn't be in this mess. He wouldn't have met Moose either, who had come to be a great friend. It didn't matter though, Gabriel had been given an ultimatum, and he had promised Camille that he would keep Moose safe. As he lay in his bed, Gabriel felt the tendrils of sleepiness and allowed his dreams to take over. He sighed deeply as reality gave way to subconscious.

"Gabriel, what have you done now?"

He was five years old again, standing in front of his mother. Tears stained his cheeks as he looked at the broken glass he had dropped a few seconds earlier.

"I didn't mean to, mommy. I really didn't! I'm so sorry..." He apologized over and over as she scooped him up into her arms and carried him to his bedroom.

She then sat down on his bed, with him in her lap, and began to sing. It was a familiar lullaby that put Gabriel to sleep every night. It was a reminder that he would always be safe in her arms. As she sang, Gabriel climbed out of her lap and stood, he was no longer five years old.

"I didn't mean for any of this to happen, Mom. And now someone's life hangs in the balance. I'm so sorry. I always said I'd make you proud of me and I've failed." He told her before collapsing to his knees in front of her. She shushed him though before wrapping her arms around him.

"Remember when you asked me why I named you Gabriel Knight? You are strong, Gabriel, and you've proven that time and time again. When the time comes, you'll know what to do. And you'll do it honorably." She told him and Gabriel nodded.

She gave him a warm smile as she leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead. He said a silent goodbye to his mother before getting up and walking out of his old bedroom. Upon walking through the door, he stepped in to the Grand Ball. Around him, the crowd was jeering. Jared stood waiting in the center, two chains held in his hands.

"It's time to die, your Majesty." He sneered before raising a gun and firing it.

Gabriel shot up in bed, drenched in sweat and biting his tongue to keep from yelling out. Once he regained his composure, he stood up and walked out of his bedroom. Luckily, Moose was still sound asleep. Relieved, Gabriel walked into the living room. As he did the night before, he stood in front of the large window and opened it. Looking down, he replayed the scenario of jumping in his head, as he had done thousands of times before. That wasn't the answer, though.

Remember when you asked me why I named you Gabriel Knight? He did remember. His mother had named Gabriel Knight because she wanted him to grow up and be strong and honorable, much like a knight. Chuckling humorlessly, Gabriel shook his head, he wasn't a knight though.

He was a king.

Sighing, Gabriel knew what he had to do. Two lives hung in the balance, and if Jared wanted war, then he'd get war. Reaching into his pocket, Gabriel pulled out his phone. He dialed a number and put the phone to his ear.

"Hello?"

"You're still loyal to me, right?" Gabriel wondered why he even had to ask.

"Always."

Alright that's it. Short, I know, but things are really starting to heat up. Anyways, you guys sure are lucky. You get three updates in one day. But that's only because I'm working on getting you psyched for what's coming. Anyways, thanks for the reviews, they mean a lot

~As the Rush Comes~

Disclaimer: I do not own Step Up or Saving Me by Nickelback