A/N: Thank you all so much for reading this. my mind is so beyond reality and i'm glad you all share the same interests. please read and review!

Those who are dead are not dead

They're just living in my head

And since I fell for that spell

I am living there as well

Oh..

Time is so short and I'm sure

There must be something more

-Coldplay, 42

"Why didn't you tell me!" I yelled loudly at Violet as I slammed my bedroom door closed. Violet looked at me as if she was bored.

"Because I didn't want you to know!"

I threw my arms up in frustration,"Are you fucking kidding me? Your suppose to tell me everything! Now I feel like my mind has entered an alternate universe!"

She stood rooted to the spot, her eyes not leaving mine,"I'm so sorry I'm not living up to your expectations."

I folded my arms,"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"

"Nothing," she huffed as she walked over to the window, her eyes locked on something in the distance. I was lost for words. I had finally learned the gut wrenching truth about what happened to my best friend, and yet I didn't accept that it was the whole truth. There was something more to it all and I kept thinking that over and over in my head.

"Tate tried to save me," Violet whispers and I look up at her, her eyes searching mine,"He brought me into the bathroom and tried to get me to vomit the pills up, but I took to many."

I stood there as I listened to her talk, my heart racing,"He loves you."

She laughs sorrowfully,"It doesn't change what he's done. He murdered people, Azura. He murdered my mother. How can you defend him?"

"I'm not defending him, there's something else going on, I can feel it."

She rolls her eyes,"I'm not stupid. I know you two have been chatting. I can't blame you for falling for it, though. I thought after you found out the truth, however, you would go in the other direction."

I don't know how to respond as she looks back out the window. I felt horrible for the way I felt about Tate, but I couldn't help it. It was my job to save souls wasn't it? But, Violet and everyone being disappointed in me, was one thing I couldn't bare. Maybe Moira and Constance were right. Maybe I needed to accept my limitations, but mom always told me to keep going and fuck what others told me. Tate had murdered people and raped Vivien, committed acts that were unthinkable, and yet, he still had a place inside my mind and I could start to feel him creep into my heart and it terrified me.

"I never thought anything like this would happen,"I said softly,"I never thought you would kill yourself."

"Its Tate's fault," she snaps at me, her eyes filled with anger.

"Tate didn't shove those pills down your throat," I argue back,"I knew I should have came to visit. I knew something was wrong when you started cutting again. How could I be so idiotic?"

She finally walks over to me and grabs my hands in hers,"You aren't an idiot. I just don't want you to be where I am. I just want you to see the truth."

I dare not look up at her because her energy hurts enough as it is and I know her eyes are just the same.

"I'm trying too. But Violet, you need to trust me. Something isn't right here. I don't feel complete evil from Tate. I really think something is inside him. Something not from this world."

I finally meet her gaze and its full of confusion,"The darkness took him long ago."

I let go of her hands and begin pacing,"But he loved you, Violet! A person consumed completely by darkness wouldn't be able to love the way he did."

"I know he loved me," she says firmly,"It still doesn't make a difference. You can keep trying to find a reason for Tate, I'll never understand why, but its not going to fix anything."

I sigh heavily,"I need you to be here for me. I need you. Your my best friend and you know better than anyone that I can't let this go."

Surprisingly she smiles,"Always the stubborn one."

I force a smile back and she takes a deep breath as well.

"I'm sorry, Azura. But, I'll never forgive him. This is your decision and I'll be here for you, but Tate will never exist for me. I need your help too though, remember?"

"Of course," I say taken aback that she could even think that I'd forget,"I told you no matter what."

She nods and opens my bedroom door,"Don't let it take you too."

As she disappears I comprehend what she means and it makes me feel more conflicted than before. I felt as if I was letting everyone down. I had promised to save them. All of them. Something was eating away at the back of my mind. I felt that in order to save Violet, I had to save Tate first, as if everything was connected to him. If Tate was indeed possessed, and I knew he was, then it would mean that the darkness in these walls, were the workings of the very pit of evil. It would mean the true reason the souls were forever trapped here. The only problem was, how do you destroy the Devil?

When Saturday morning came, it also meant Halloween. The day before I had asked Kyle and the others to not pursue Tate, and after a half an hour of arguing, they finally understood. Although, somewhere deep inside I had mainly done it because I was concerned for Tate's safety and I thought I was sick for wanting that.

"He doesn't remember so its no good trying to force it out of him. Let me deal with this. It won't happen over night. Just use your day wisely. Its not often you get to enjoy something," I had said to them.

I woke up at 9 am and dressed quickly, not wanting to waste any time, and rushed downstairs to eat.

"Where's the fire?" mom laughs as I sit down next to Violet who is already there with Vivien, Ben and Moira.

"Its Halloween," I reply as I take a large bite of my oatmeal,"I plan on being out all day with this one over here," I nod my head at Violet,"What are you guys doing?"

Vivien takes Ben's hand into her own and I smile,"We were planning on going to see the city, maybe get some dinner. Your mom has some work to do today."

"I figured since I can leave the house whenever, you all should enjoy your day Lily free," my mom says cheerfully,"I have a client to go see in town."

"Where's the little one?" I ask as I look around for the baby, but frown when I don't see him.

"He's asleep upstairs," Ben replies.

"Ah. Alright then."

"Azura, dear,"Moira begins,"Would you mind helping me tomorrow with some things around the house? That is, if you aren't to tired from your escapades tonight."

I smile broadly,"Sure. Where are you headed today?"

Moira shrugs and she almost looks exhausted,"Well every year I usually visit my mother, but she passed on last Halloween, so I've agreed to go out with Chad and Patrick."

Violet looks at her and laughs sarcastically,"I thought they weren't speaking after what happened?"

"Well, they have they're differences, but I presume that they are all they have so they have decided just to accept it. I also told them that I was done with the incessant bickering."

"I'm sorry about your mother," I reply and she simply nods. I always imagined what life would be like if my mother wasn't here with me, if she wasn't apart of my life. It was a thought I tried to avoid, but it always caught up to me.

"Can we go now?" Violet asks, shoving me so that I miss my mouth and the oatmeal collides with my face.

"Jesus," I say as I wipe my it off and lay down my spoon,"Fine then. Let's go."

I jump off the chair and grab my bag and car keys as Violet gives the others hugs good-bye. I follow suit.

"Be careful you two, please," my mom says as she squeezes me to death,"Call me if you need anything."

"Alright mom. Can you let me go now? Besides, Violet can't even die. No offense," I add looking at her face.

"Oh, sorry," my mom says, blushing as she lets me go,"And that doesn't ease my worry."

"See you guys later. Much later," I add to Violet quietly, who laughs and we make our way outside into the sunlight and into my car.

The hours were going by extremely slow and I was actually happy about it. I felt like I was making up for all the time I had lost with Violet. We usually didn't do much girl stuff, but decided to go shopping and then eat lunch. I payed for everything, which wasn't that big of a deal; it made me feel less guilty about my pursuit of Tate.

"Azura? Yoohoo! Did you hear what I said?"

I look up to see Violet looking at me frustrated,"Sorry. Repeat it?"

She huffs loudly,"I said are we still going to that costume party later?"

I look at her and can't help but burst out laughing. It felt as if she was still alive and we were talking like everything was normal, when it was far from it,"You hate parties. We both do."

She tucks her hair behind her ear and pushes her food away,"Well its not like its a regular party and I never do get out. It would be fun to meet a random person and totally fuck with their mind."

I look at her sharply,"That's not very nice."

"You hate being nice," she laughs back at me.

"Touche," I answer as I put the last fry in my mouth, only to cough on it when I see Oliver walk in the restaurant.

"What is it?" Violet asks and beings to look over to where my eyes are targeted.

"Shit! Don't look over Vi!"

"Who is he?" Violet asks turning back to me,"Is it that guy from school that asked you out?"

I feel my face flush as I attempt to hide but its too late and he see's me.

"Azura?"

I look up, as my face feels like its melting and I wonder how stupid I look,"Oh. Heeey Oliver."

He looks at me puzzled,"Everything okay?"

I try to regain my composure,"Everything's fine. I'm just here with my friend. Oliver this is Violet, Violet this is Oliver."

He looks at her and I can tell he finds her attractive which almost makes me happy,"Nice to meet you."

"You too," Violet says almost politely.

There's an awkward silence until Oliver breaks it,"Well I'll see you."

I return the wave he sends me and watch him walk out.

"I take it back,"Violet says firmly,"You are an idiot. He's perfect for you."

I retrieve my money from my bag and throw it on the table, before getting up,"I think being dead has made you delusional."

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -

Only this, and nothing more.'

-Edgar Allen Poe, the raven

I was never one for going out and looking like the skank of the earth, so I had transformed my costume to not look so much like that. Violet and me decided to dress up like we were in Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, my eyeliner a little more heavy than necessary. It was funny looking at the two of us laughing and blasting rock music in my room, just like old times. There was pain in my heart for the whole time we were together that day. I wish I could resurrect her, but once again I was trying to achieve what others saw as impossible.

"Ok I think we are done. Any more glitter and I'll look like I'm going to that gay pride festival my aunt took me to last year," I chuckled at Violet who surveyed herself in the mirror and laughed like she was 5 again.

"I can't remember when you smiled this much,"I say and she looks up at me with a face I can't ever remember her making.

"I just want to be happy today. For once."

I look away, not knowing how to respond and I feel her grab hold of my arm,"Lets get the fuck out of here."

She drags me downstairs and we put our shoes on, but high heels were not my cup of tea.

"You guys look ridiculous," Chad's voice says and I meet his gaze and snort.

"So do you."

He raises his eyebrow at me,"I'm not dressed up miss priss."

I throw him a cheeky smile,"Exactly."

He rolls his eyes and waves my response away,"Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"It'll be hard narrowing the things you wouldn't do, down,"Violet replies as Patrick and Moira join him and I throw my coat on.

"Do be careful," Moira says and I can hear the slight worry in her voice and I think of mom.

"We will. See ya later."

"You think with being sluts all year round you would pick a different costume tonight," Patrick yells after us and smirks and I give him the finger before slamming the door shut behind Violet and I.

The music was so loud I could barely hear my brain function through it all. The warehouse was enormous and I made sure Violet was close to me as we made our way through the crowd of disguised figures. Neon lights were blinding me as I finally made my way up to the bar, hoping to get a drink of water because I could feel my mouth drying out from being so out of place. It was dimly lit and I looked around me to try to find my bearings only to feel Violet nudge me.

"Are you okay!" she shouts loudly.

I look at her,"Yea! I'm fine, just thirsty."

I know she isn't convinced and she pulls me over to a place where I can actually make out what she is saying.

"We don't have to stay. It is pretty lame here."

I brush her off,"Stop it. We're staying. I want you to have some kind of fun."

Before she can retort two guys make there way over to us and I feel some sort of defensive mode take over. I had learned well by now, to never trust people on Halloween. Especially, the living.

"Hey ladies," I see a tall guy with brown hair and grayish eyes say. He wasn't ugly, but he definitly didn't appeal to me. Same went for the other one who was blonde and had red eyes and I figured they were contacts. Pretty dumb. I had always thought red ones were.

"Would you like to dance?" The blonde one extends his hand to Violet and I look at her with a dont-even-think-about-it look.

"Relax, I'm not,"she whispers so that only I can hear her before answering the man,"No thanks."

"Aww come on," he begs,"I promise just a quick one and then you can never speak to me again."

Violet throws me a whatever look and takes his hand and I feel myself ready to lunge after her, only to be blocked by the other man with grayish eyes.

"She'll be fine. I'm Alec."

"Cool,"I reply, clearly hoping he would get the hint that I had no interest in anything he had to offer.

"You have a name?"

"No."

"Interesting. I've never heard that one before."

I roll my eyes and try to get away from him,"That's obviously not my name dumbsass."

I can see Violet in the middle of the crowd and I try to call her name,"VIOLET! VIOLET!"

"Come with me," Alec says and before I know it I'm being lifted off the ground and pounding my fists against him, screaming. But no one can hear me throughout the hellish music or see me being hauled away like an animal through the glowing lights.

"LET-ME-GO! YOU FUCKING BASTARD. GET THE HELL OFF OF ME!"

I feel myself collide hard with the stone floor and stand up quickly. My knees were going to bruise for sure. I look around to see nothing but an empty room and I feel myself start to panic. There was no way out and no one that would hear me scream. And what about Violet? Was she in any danger since she was already dead? Even if she was it still didn't ease my worry for her safety. I kept myself at a distance from the man in front of me, a malicious and lustful look in his eyes.

"If you don't get out of my way I swear to God, I will cut your fucking balls off."

And he laughed then, like some sort of sick lunatic and it made my spine freeze.

"You are a gem. I knew it when I first saw you. You were the one for me. Your little friend is more of Alton's favorite."

I stared at him in disbelief,"If you touch her-"

But before I could finish his hand was over my mouth and I could feel my body make contact with the wall.

"We're gonna play a game. Okay? It's called shut your fucking mouth, or you die." And I saw a hint of silver approach my face and knew that I was fucked.

He inhaled me deeply and closed his eyes as if he was on some kind of drug, and when he opened them I looked away and felt the the knife inches from my cheek.

"God," Was all he said in a seductive tone as I felt his hand dive into my jeans and into my panties.

"STOP IT! PLEASE!" I screamed so loudly I thought my lungs would incinerate they hurt so much. I shut my eyes, imagining I was somewhere else. I was going to die. I knew it. I was never going to see my mom or Violet or anyone else I loved. I was never going to keep my promises I made or become a novelist and change the world or any of the other idiotic things I thought I would do. And I felt it then. White hot tears began to pour from my eyes as a million memories played through my mind of my life and all the things I would never have as the man stuck his fingers in me. So this is how it ends then, as I felt the knife begin to jab into my side. This is how I'm going to die. And then his face came into my mind. I was never going to see Tate again.

Then it happened. I felt myself being thrown aside, my head hitting the floor, the stars forming before my eyes. I heard yells and cries of pain. Someone else had come, not to take part but to perhaps stop what was taking place? I tried to lift my head up and open my eyes to see what was happening, but the force of the fall was too damaging. I could only hear and what I was hearing scared me, but also told me I was going to be ok. I laid there, not moving until I finally heard the fighting stop and strained my ears to hear clearly, only to feel myself go numb because I knew it then.

"If you touch her again, I will fucking kill you. You can be sure of that."

"Tate.." I whispered softly.

And then the world went black.

I want to be a good person.