Just gonna warn everyone, be prepared for a bumpy ride for this chapter, things are going to be their most intense yet! Are you ready? No? Too bad! Please enjoy and... good luck trudging through this chapter full of uncertainty...
Kira sighed lightly, running her hands through her hair. She took out her key, going over to the chains to unlock the padlock and climb through the window onto the balcony. She smiled lightly when she saw the rope leading down to Felix's balcony, gracefully sliding down and landing easily. She went up to his window, tapping on it. She soon saw Felix come into the room, smiling as he opened the window, taking her hand and helping her inside.
"Well, this worked out nicely." Kira smiled and nodded.
Felix closed the window, smiling calmly. "Kira... I... I'm still pretty upset, but... what you said earlier... it was true. I... I should have spoken to you first before proposing. I'm sorry. We wouldn't be in this mess."
Kira sighed lightly. "Felix... I know you didn't really mean any harm... I was wrong to compare you to my father. Love can make a person do the unthinkable..." She chuckles lightly. "I would know."
Felix took her hands in his. "Just... promise me you won't ever forget me, Kira. Even if you love someone else... my love for you will always remain. If I saw you in a different world I would be instantly drawn to you, as if we were attached to a string."
Kira looked up at him. "I would never forget you. Who knows... Ralph told me when we die in this life, we return from the Earth into a new form. Perhaps our destinies will bring us together."
Felix smiled a bit more, gently drawing Kira in for a hug. In this moment, everything felt right between them again, with no pressure placed between them to create a rift, it was just his Kira, plain and simple, as it always was. She was his dearest friend, and for the first time in a while, he felt perfectly content. "Say... I'm in the mood for a bite to eat. Mary is home today, shall I go down and ask if she could spare us a slice of pie?"
Kira giggled, nodding. "That sounds very nice."
Felix gave a nod, getting up and heading out of his apartment.
In Mary's apartment, Gene slowly paced about the room. "We must execute this task without fail, Mary... if we don't, we'll be worse off than we are now."
"I understand that, Gene... but, you know Kira is going to throw an awful fit..." Mary said worriedly as she sipped a cup of tea.
"I don't care. How dare she make a fool of me? What if people found out she was running off with some... some rascal! They will know I can't properly maintain her, they will then doubt my ability to maintain my business, I'll be ruined!"
She nodded, clearing her throat. "So... what are you to do then?"
As their conversation played out, Felix whistled lightly as he skipped a bit down the stairs, Mary's apartment one level below his. He approached her door, his knuckles a mere millimeter or two from knocking on the surface when words he heard from inside stopped him dead in his tracks.
"Whatever happens, we have to get her to lure the rascal out. Once she does, I'll give him a good scare; I'll threaten him. I'll tell him that if he even has a thought of Kira that I'll make sure he ends up in prison! I've got connections, powerful connections, and if that low-class scum thinks he's going to run off with a prize like Kira he's got another thing coming! Men like him don't court women like my Kira! She is reserved for someone with a high status!" Gene shouted.
Felix gasped lightly, covering his mouth. "How... how did he find out...?" He whispered to himself.
"Gene, he probably has no idea about Kira's situation... I only saw them running off into the woods, I noticed them just as they were about to go into the trees." Mary commented. "What if you just spoke to him civilly?"
"No. The only way Kira will forget him is if he is gone forever, I have to make sure he disappears. Out of sight, out of mind, Mary... then she can refocus on marrying Felix, and it can all be done with." Gene said.
Felix's eyes widened, backing away slowly before breaking into a run, stumbling a bit as he ran up the stairs. Kira was humming lightly in Felix's apartment, turning when he burst in. She frowned suddenly when she saw his condition.
"My goodness, Felix, what on Earth is the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Kira exclaimed.
"No time now Kira! Big trouble, there is very, very big trouble!" Felix gasped for air, taking a moment to catch his breath. "Kira... they know... they know everything... they know about Ralph!"
Kira's eyes widened, her mouth dropping open in shock. "What- How- How can this be? You... you didn't... tell me you didn't-"
"Of course not, Kira, I didn't say a word, I swear it! M- Mary... I heard with my own ears, she told your father she saw you running off with him, just as you were entering the forest last night... Kira, your father plans to have a few words with Ralph... he plans to keep him away from you, forever!"
Kira shook her head shakily, stumbling over to a chair to plop down in it. "No... no, I will not let this happen... I will not let him separate us!" She cried. "Felix, you have to help me..." She began to sob. "Please... please help me..."
"I... I will do what I can... I don't know how we can remedy this Kira but I promise I'll do what I can..." He sighed, hugging her close as she sobbed.
Mary placed a hand on Gene's shoulder. "Gene... try not to be too cross with her, please... children can be naive, fools in love... she will learn."
"Indeed, she will." Gene growled as they headed up two floors, and he burst into his apartment. "Kira!" He shouted, unlocking her door to look inside, only to see the padlock undone and the window open, a gentle breeze blowing the curtains a bit. Gene shouted, stomping his foot in anger. "Curse that girl! Curse that girl's stubbornness!"
Meanwhile, from just below in Felix's apartment, the two gasped as they heard the ruckus from above them. Kira furrowed her brows deeply, her eyes widening with fright. "Felix, he's looking for me..." She said in a hushed whisper.
Felix gulped thickly, glancing above him before looking back at her. "He's bound to discover you're here..."
"What do we do...? What do we do...?" Kira choked out.
They heard footsteps hammering across the floor above them. "Here, I have an idea. Listen closely..."
Gene grit his teeth, marching his way downstairs and up to Felix's door, knocking on it firmly. "Felix! Son, open up, I'd like a word with you!" He shouted, knocking more.
"Gene dear, you're going to have a dizzy spell if you go into a rage like this..." Mary said, patting his shoulder. "Everything will be fine..."
Felix soon answered the door, opening it a crack. "Oh, hello Gene! How are yo-"
"Enough with the funny business! I know she's in there! Move out of the way! Kira!" Gene shouted as he shoved past Felix, forcing the door open as he went inside, looking around for a few moments in the rooms. When he went into Felix's room, he noticed his window was open, looking outside to see a rope swaying in the breeze. He stormed back in the living room, and Mary gasped when he shoved Felix against the wall. "What do you think you're protecting, hm? What do you think appeasing her will do, she is a FOOL!" Gene shouted.
"Gene, please, you're frightening the poor boy!" Mary pleaded.
"He knows what he's doing! You'd better toughen up and help me rein her in, son... or you're going to end up in a tight spot with her when I'm through with all this."
Felix, as frightened as he was, trembled a bit as he inhaled sharply. "It think I will toughen up, sir." He said. "And I do this because I love her."
"Do you have any idea what she's been doing? How she's-"
"Yes. She's been happy for the first time in her life. And because I love her, I'll respect her wishes above my own." Felix gulped thickly.
Gene unhanded Felix, glancing out the window to see it was late afternoon. He heard footsteps, light, above him, dashing out of Felix's apartment and rushing up the stairs.
Kira meanwhile, hurried towards the stairs, but when she heard footsteps approaching, she froze for a moment, gasping as she turned to head back into her apartment. She hurried to her room, swatting the chains away to try to crawl out her window to get to the balcony. She was halfway out when she felt someone tug back on her harshly, screaming as she struggled against her father as she was dragged into the apartment. Gene dragged her along with him, kicking and screaming as he took something from his bedroom drawer, tucking it into his suit jacket. Just then, Felix came into the apartment, along with Mary.
"Gene, you have to stop this!" Felix cried. "I've blindly obeyed you all along, and I'm not going to let you hurt the woman I love anymore!"
"Woman you love? Hate to break it to you, but she likes some scum that lives in the woods! And we're going to seek him out now and end this foolishness once and for all!" Gene growled, moving towards the apartment door, dragging Kira as she kicked and screamed.
Felix bit his lip, moving to stop Gene from getting past the door, but he was shoved aside by Gene as he forced Kira down the stairs.
"You will never separate us!" Kira screamed. "You will never take him from me!"
Mary and Felix hurriedly went after them, Mary stopping at her floor as she clung to the wall, watching as they all went down the stairs before hurrying into her apartment to see if she could see them out her window. Felix hurried after Gene, who was now yanking Kira's arm as he pulled her across the field. He finally stopped, turning to face Kira.
"You will do as I say RIGHT now and go in with me!" Gene shouted. "I will find him, and when I do... he'll be sorry. And you will live with whatever happens."
Kira trembled as she stood, tears streaming down her face. "Don't you dare do a thing to him... don't you go near him!" She shrieked.
Meanwhile, Ralph sighed lightly, his eyes closed as he sat in a tree, munching on some nuts. When he heard shouting in the distance, and his love in distress, his eyes popped open, furrowing his brow.
"You think I'm going to let you ruin my plans to extend my business because you act like a child? I couldn't control your mother and I'll be damned if I can't get you to act decently!"
"That's all it is, isn't it? It's always been about money! It's always been about what you see with your minuscule mind! Your tyranny over mother's life KILLED her! She had dreams and wishes like I do and your heartlessness crushed them!" Kira screamed.
Gene narrowed his eyes. "Fine. Being you won't show me where he is... I will find him myself." He said, going towards the forest.
"No... NO!" Kira shouted, running after him and trying to stop him.
Felix moved to stand in front of Gene, narrowing his eyes.
"Son, move out of the way." Gene said lowly.
"I can't let you just break Kira's heart like this. I'm sick of being some... some weakling." Felix said, exhaling sharply.
"She's got you wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she...? You think this is going to help you? She's using you, son. She's using you to get what she wants!" Gene shouted.
"No. You used me to get what you want... but not anymore." Felix replied.
Gene growled, shoving Felix down. Felix grunted a bit, hissing as he was pushed right into a tree, rubbing the back of his head.
"Felix!" Kira screamed, going to him. "Felix, are you alright...?"
"I'm fine, don't worry about me... go after your father before he finds Ralph... hurry!"
Kira nodded, quickly, getting to her feet and her hand slipped from his as she ran after her father. Gene looked around, narrowing is eyes. "Alright, you piece of garbage! Come out! Come out where I can see you!"
"No!" Kira shouted. "Don't show yourself Ralph, my father will try to-"
"Oh ho ho, so your mysterious lad has a name then... alright then, RALPH... come out where we can fight man to man!" He listened closely, and Kira gasped with horror as she heard a small rustling in the trees above them. Gene grinned then; he had Ralph right where he wanted him.
"Ralph... please, don't listen to my father, he's trying to- mmph!" Kira cried, struggling as Gene grabbed her and put a hand over her mouth. "If you love her so much then you'll come down to her aid!" Gene shouted. "I said come out! Come out NOW!"
When Ralph saw Kira struggling, he couldn't hold back any longer. He hopped down before Gene, emitting a growl almost like a roar when he did so.
Gene stumbled back, recoiling in horror. This is now what he expected.
As he struggled to get to his feet, Kira wriggled out of his grip, running to Ralph and embracing him tightly, crying into his shirt.
"Ralph..." She sobbed. "I'm so sorry... I couldn't stop him..."
"This... this is no man..." Gene muttered. "What on Earth are you? You stay away from my daughter!"
Ralph furrowed his brow, holding out a large hand. "I mean no harm to you or to Kira. Over this past summer solstice I've grown to care for her deeply. I hope you can understand our love."
"Love...? LOVE?! You... you foul beast, you animal! THIS is what you've run off with, Kira? You vile, wretched girl! This is the last time you'll make a fool of me, I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!" Gene growled, fuming as he reached into his suit jacket to pull out a revolver.
"NO!" Kira screamed. "Father, stop!"
Gene took the safety off, about to aim for Ralph's head when someone pulled his arm back, Gene screaming angrily as the gunshot was fired upwards, avoiding Kira and Ralph. Felix grit his teeth, his heart racing as he wrestled the gun out of Gene's hand, using every fiber of his strength to then wrestle him to the ground. Kira gasped a breath of relief, overwhelmed with emotion as she approached Felix when he was back on his feet, hugging him tightly.
"Kira, are you alright?" Felix asked, a bit out of breath.
"You saved him, Felix..." She cried. "You saved Ralph..."
Felix smiled lightly, hugging her back. "I love you, Kira. I know he is the source of your happiness... that's all I want for you. To be happy."
Ralph smiled gently, approaching Felix slowly. "Thank you, Felix, for what you have done."
Kira turned to Ralph, smiling lovingly. "Ralph... let us be together always..." She leaned up, kissing Ralph softly.
Felix smiled lightly, taking a few steps back to let them have their moment.
Meanwhile, Gene groaned lightly, rubbing his head. He looked around, seeing Kira kiss Ralph, and he became disgusted. His plans were falling apart before him, and he would make the brute pay. He noticed his gun on the ground feet from him, scrambling to grasp it. Felix heard the movement and was closest to Gene, going for the gun at the same time. Gene got to his feet, shoving Felix aside as he grabbed the gun, turning to aim for Ralph. Kira and Ralph broke their kiss abruptly, looking to see Gene once again on his feet.
"Brutes like you have no place here!" Gene shouted, taking the safety off and squeezing the trigger.
"NO!" Kira shouted, breaking away from Ralph before he could grasp her. He was already on his knees from kissing her, and Ralph gasped as he reached out to Kira, her arms open wide like a bird in flight. Kira stared intensely into her father's eyes, trembling.
Gene's eyes widened, and as he looked into Kira's eyes, he saw his wife, staring at him in the streets of the West Village before a car struck her. Suddenly, the sound barrier was broken when Felix screamed, rushing over to catch Kira as she fell gracefully.
Ralph was utterly still, his hand still outstretched as he watched his precious dove fall before his eyes. Her necklace hung to the side, the 'charms' swaying lightly as Felix shook her, the key, seashell and wooden heart stained with her blood.
"Kira... Kira, you have to stay with me... Kira... please!" Felix cried in anguish, gasping for air as he held her, choking out a sob. He heard Gene shuffling behind him, whipping his head around to look at him. "What have you done...? Look at what you've done!"
Gene's eyes darted from Felix to his daughter, shaking his head. "N- No... I... I didn't... he pushed her! He sacrificed her to save himself!"
"No one will believe your lies anymore, Gene... I will make sure all know what happened here tonight!" Felix cried. "I will make sure no one ever comes to like you, that you will never be forgiven for what you've done!"
Ralph's heart had always burst with life, but when he met Kira, his heart overflowed with love, forever changed by her. As he watched her life slowly leaving her, so did the life in his heart. He approached Felix, his expression no longer gentle, for a new darkness had appeared in his features like a veil draped over him. "Give her to me." He said, making Felix look up as he blinked tears out of his eyes. "Give her to me and go back with the human."
Felix blinked a few tears away as he looked up at Ralph. "I... I can't leave her... please..."
"Do as I say." Ralph said, and Felix reluctantly handed her to Ralph, who bent to his knees to cradle her. He had the power to heal, but as he graced his fingers over the bleeding wound in her stomach, he knew this was beyond his ability.
"R- Ralph..." Kira whispered, looking up at him. "Please... keep me here... keep me here with you..."
Ralph looked upon her in agony, nodding. "Yes. You will stay her with me, always."
"A- And... don't... don't harm Felix... he..."
"No harm will come to him. He has goodness in his heart."
Kira nodded weakly, looking into his eyes. "I love you... I will always... love you..."
Ralph held her close, kissing her forehead. "And I love you." When he felt the last ounce of life leave her as she became limp, he trembled as he began to weep, before throwing his head back, crying out in sorrow.
Gene looked upon Ralph in horror, getting to his feet to try to get Kira. "Give her to me, you monster, give me my dau-"
Felix held Gene back, gritting his teeth as he dragged him away, pulling him by his arms out of the forest.
Mary heard a loud cry in the distance, almost like a roar. She gasped, going to the window of her apartment, gazing out as she saw someone in the distance; two someones, Gene and Felix. When she saw, even from that distance, red staining Gene's pearly white suit, she gasped lightly, shaking her head as she furrowed her prows, placing a hand on her chest as she plopped down in a chair.
As they left, Ralph closed Kira's eyes as the light poking through the treetops like fingers from the sky became obscured, the sky darkening quickly as thunder cracked in the distance. He looked at his hand covered in the blood of his love, balling his fist as he slowly looked up from her, narrowing his eyes darkly.
The gentle giant had died, and the wrecker has been born.
Okay everyone... you may now put away your kleenex. This was really rough to get through, but we're almost done with this story. Thank you all SO much for your support for this story, it's much appreciated. Stick around, because the conclusion of this fic is soon to come! Keep those reviews coming! :)