(Chapter 9)

Peter was on his cell immediately, Mozzie looking the scared paranoid he was with him calling more 'suits' but now that they had a sighting, maybe Neal was still there.

"Yes... the Woodland Meyers Bird Sanctuary and Park. Right. I sent the video over. Hopefully that's enough of a clue. Thanks!"

He hung up the phone with Jones and Diana, a little less of a weight on him as he collapsed to the sofa beside a nervous Mozzie who stood and moved aside quickly. El took the con's place, sitting by her tired husband. He figured she was worried about him but he was ok. Neal was found, at least they had a location for him that was recent. The date on the video feed was only a day back, barely 24 hours ago. The con had hidden himself well but the city always had eyes as Mozzie called them and they had finally found their lost friend.

"Are you alright, Peter? Jones and Diana will find him. Everything will be ok."

She was smiling but he wasn't sure he felt all that relieved. He wanted to have Neal here before him in the flesh so he knew the young man was safe. Who would they find when they did bring him back? El was brushing at his hair which relaxed him as he leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes. He had a flashback of that day in the tunnel. Neal was talking but it wasn't Neal. All they really knew was that Sorenson had basically brainwashed the two men making them think they had died and come back as other people. Whole new versions of themselves. Chris was still dealing with the after effects of 10 years of programming. Peter knew the real story as Neal had told it to him but Sorenson had skewed it to fit his purposes and get control and revenge on Neal by using Chris. Sorenson was dead, his methods going with him to the grave. Meanwhile, Chris was being reprogrammed with Alex's help and Neal was out there on the streets alone and possibly a danger to himself or others although Peter wanted to think the young man would reign himself in. He had so far. His cell buzzed and he opened his eyes, reaching for it as dinner was put on hold during this situation. Mozzie was pacing before them as he answered.

"Burke..."

He heard sounds of people in the background, voices and men moving around, footsteps crunching on the pavement.

"Hey Peter... we found signs of Caffrey having been at the sanctuary. It doesn't look good."

He noticed Jones had moved away from the sounds of other agents and lowered his voice. Something was up.

"Doesn't look good how? What did you find? He's alive, right?"

He felt Elizabeth squeeze his arm beside him and Mozzie pause in his pacing as they both looked at him with curious eyes. He was waiting to hear what Jones had to say.

"I'm sure he's alive but it looks like... well he might have been involved in a robbery. We found evidence in the form of a very pretty necklace. Forensics will take it in and analyze it but for now... looks like he might have stolen it."

Peter felt his chest hurting. Neal had robbed a store? It wasn't unexpected, he liked pretty things, but under the circumstance why leave that behind as evidence? He was confused if anything and a bit hurt. Something about this felt wrong. Neal was good about never implicating himself which is why it had taken so long for him to catch the con.

"Jones... can you send me a picture of the item in question and where it was found?"

He heard a grunted reply followed by the sound of footsteps and then a clicking sound before Jones replied again.

"Sending..."

Peter pulled his phone back to see he had a new message as he pushed the button and opened up the picture.

It didn't seem like much at first, a panel pulled aside of white wood with a gold necklace. He enlarged the picture as he kept talking to Jones, his attention on the presentation of the item in question. There was something familiar about this as he got a better look at the item and it hit him.

"Jones... Thanks. Let me know if you find anything else out."

He hung up as he continued to glance at the close up and realized what the message was. El was looking at the image over his shoulder, Mozzie coming over to give it a glance when he got curious. Peter was smiling.

Message received loud and clear, Neal!

A chuckle sprang from his throat as he sighed and realized Neal was trying to communicate with him. The others didn't seem to understand his mood till he explained.

"It's a pink jewel. It was hidden behind a white panel. This is a message from Neal telling me 'I didn't do this.' I mean technically he did it but under duress."

El nodded obviously still not understand as was Mozzie till it hit him.

"The jewelry piece looks like the piece he was framed with when he jumped out of the Judge's chambers! Of course! Smart clue. Now to figure out where he is."

El still looked confused but it was ok. Peter had an idea that Neal was leaving clues now for them, breadcrumbs to follow and find him. He looked down as his phone beeped, indicating he had a new message. He opened it up and looked at the text. A frown formed on his lips.

"Honey, what's wrong? Peter?"

He opened up an attachment and saw a picture of a man who had been attacked during a jewelry store break-in. He was the guard and someone had hit him over the head and then stolen his gun. There was a gash on the side of his head.

"This might be more complicated than we thought but now we know where Neal might be."

Mozzie glanced at him blankly, waiting for an answer.

"The piece was called Plaza del Rosa. I think he was trying to tell us where he went."

Peter texted Jones to come meet him at his home. El hugged him gently before getting up and motioning towards the table.

"Let's eat. I'll save a plate for Jones when he gets here."

It was a good 30 minutes before Agent Clinton Jones showed up at the Burke home. Peter told him what it was he found and deducted from the pictures. For now, they were to keep it quiet. Jones could let Diana know what was up but Peter would talk to Hughes. The agent agreed as they sat down to chat over dinner and coffee. Mozzie chatted with El as the two agents spoke. Jones finally had to go but promised to keep Peter in the loop as he thanked El for the dinner and waved to Peter and Mozz.

"I'm sure Jones and Diana will find him with your clues. I never would have thought of what you said it meant. It makes sense though."

He nodded back as she sat beside him on the sofa, Mozzie standing nearby as if debating something.

"Suit, Mrs. Suit... I bid you good night. I'll look into that clue you had as well."

He gave a stiff little wave and left out the door, Peter giving a sigh. They still needed to find Neal before anything else happened. If this other persona was violent, what did that mean for their contract? Neal had never physically harmed anyone far as Peter knew. The con was good with guns but never used them. This new personal was the opposite unless there was another explanation. He hoped there was as he and El relaxed and watched TV. He was tense but there was nothing he could do till they found Neal so he did his best to pretend to be calm if only for the moment.

()()()

Neal paced the luxurious suite but he was feeling less than relaxed especially with Nick constantly harping on his nervousness.

Calm down already, Neal. This isn't doing either one of us any good. You'd think you wanted to go back to your old life.

The con's other persona was picking at his nails idly as he leaned against the wall nearby and watched him walk around the room. He wished he could just punch Nick but that was impossible as he kept up his harried pace around the room.

"Why did you have to hit him so hard? What if you killed him? He was just doing his job."

Neal was trying to think rationally, his mind going back to Peter. What if that had been Peter. They'd been on too many stakeouts that he'd seen the scarier side of law enforcement. His profession was dangerous but an agent's job was far more so dealing with the likes of Wilkes, Keller or any number of actual dangerous criminals. Even chasing himself, Peter would have times he would have been in danger only in trying to keep up with the con although Neal was non-violent. He shivered at the thought.

Whatcha thinking about? Care to let me in on it?

Nick was looking at him curiously, blue eyes sparkling with mischief but Neal just ignored him. It was the best he could do keeping his thoughts to himself without involving his alter ego.

"Just thinking how to get out of this. You hurt someone and I'm going to take the rap for it if we're caught. I'll be lucky if they don't throw me in a mental institute because of you."

Neal was afraid of what would happen. He was basically two people now and Nick was getting stronger all the time. How long before his mind converted to this new person Soren had created for him? Could he come back? He started thinking about Chris. His friend had been trapped as someone else initially for the past 10 years with an agenda that wasn't his own. Neal had the relief in thinking maybe with his limited exposure he could come back but if Soren was dead...

Quit worrying about things you can't control, Neal. You're stuck with me and we're going to make this work. Here... have a drink.

Nick pushed a glass towards him of something amber. Neal took a whiff of the liquor and realized it was cognac.

"I need my head clear if we're going to do this. No thanks."

Nick didn't smile, pushing the drink closer.

Drink it Neal. Live a little. Relax!

He watched this other self of his drinking the same drink before he finally consented. Maybe he was just a bit wound up but under the circumstances who could blame him. He was starting to think of Nick as a real person almost as he sipped at the drink and tried to figure out what Mozzie would say about all of this. He was feeling better as he drank more of the cognac. Actually he was feeling a bit tipsy for having drunk so little. He turned to see the other Nick growing almost more solid he thought the more he blinked at him. He felt... Neal felt like he was beginning to fade as the glass fell from his fingers to the carpeted floor. Nick was smiling at him.

Such an easy mark for a con man. You hide things from me... I hide things from you. Have fun in the back corridors, Neal.

The room spun around as he suddenly found himself looking up from the floor at the smirking form of Nick before everything went black.

()()()

Peter watched his wife finish primping and fixing herself up. He was still dressed in casual khakis with a white polo top. Wherever she was going the agent wasn't and he wished he could as she walked over and kissed him.

"I wish I could take you with me Peter. I don't think I'll be much company making sure things are adequate for Mr. Feng Shui. Forgive me?"

She was cuddled up close to him as they stood there and he seemed to act like he was thinking about it before smiling and nodding.

"Of course. Just tell him to cool it if he gets too anal on the details. I'm sure the event will be a hit, hon."

El grinned up at him, kissing him again before they left the bedroom and headed downstairs. She had a small purse under her arm along with a folder as they stopped before the door and hugged again.

"You look beautiful. Maybe he'll forget to be bossy and be dazzled by your looks."

She was chuckling now, perking up as a honk came from out front. El kissed him again as Peter walked her to the door and opened it up.

"Call me if you need anything, hon."

He nodded back as she kissed him again.

"I'll be ok. I have Satchmo and a game to watch."

She grinned back as she started to pull away if a bit reluctantly.

"See you tonight."

He nodded as she kissed him quickly before running down the stairs to the waiting car with Yvonne her assistant waving at him. El waved soon after as Yvonne drove them away and Peter held up his hand till they were out of sight. He sighed, turning to see Satchmo looking at him as he closed the door and leaned against it tiredly. Despite the few days he'd been out of the hospital he was still pretty out of it from the hit to his head and the two shots he'd received. Peter hobbled over to the sofa and sat down as he grabbed up the remote and turned on the TV. He'd lied about the game but he could find something to watch.

()()()

Peter woke up realizing he'd fallen asleep watching TV. He looked to find he had it on the old movie channel. Conveniently they were having "Sorry, Wrong Number." He stretched and yawned looking around sleepily as he rose to his feet and figured he'd walk the dog.

"Satchmo?"

The dog wasn't in his usual spot as Peter peeked around the first floor then headed for the stairs. Satch didn't normally go upstairs but he was known from time to time to drink from the toilet. It wasn't common but that was on reason they'd started to close the bathroom door. He headed upstairs hoping he'd done that earlier as he called out.

"Satch boy... let's go for a walk. Here boy!"

There was silence as he looked in their bedroom which had been ajar. Nothing else was open as he headed back downstairs. He had barely taken the first step when Peter thought he heard the creak of a door behind him. The agent turned his head but too late as he felt a hard push and stumbled head over heels down the wooden steps to the floor below. He only stopped his forward motion when he smacked hard against the front door. Peter groaned, facing the door as he lay there in pain on the floor and tried to think about moving. His whole body ached in places that didn't match his already hurting head and chest. Quiet deliberate footsteps made their way towards him as he tried to move and see who it was. His body didn't respond as another groan escaped his throat. He heard the clucking of a tongue, a familiar voice but with a colder tone than he recalled.

"So this is the infamous walk on water Agent Burke. I don't know why Neal finds you such a great mentor. It didn't take much for me to get the jump on you."

That voice. Peter did his best to turn but a hand pulled his shoulder hard, the one in the sling and he cried out as he was finally able to look up and see who was there. It was Neal.

"You're normally so eloquent and quick with a comment. Nothing to say? I guess your former friend and partner trying to kill you shut you up. Still... seeing that he's still around, I have to do something to get him to go away. Maybe seeing your dead corpse will shut him up for good."

Peter didn't understand how this other persona had taken over the usually charming and kind Neal Caffrey. They were still working with Chris the last time he spoke with Jones and Diana. They were making progress but far from figuring out what Sorenson had actually done. His process was secretive at best and even those they'd caught who worked with him didn't know how he did it. Neal glared down at him with ice cold blue eyes. His gaze moved as the con pulled out what appeared to be a syringe.

"I wonder how you would deal with death. Neal died and I sprang up from the proverbial ashes. If you went through the same process, would you come back in one piece?"

This other persona smirked as he bared the agent's neck and pushed the needle in. Peter gasped, struggling weakly before the object was removed and he started to feel sleepy, eyes growing heavy.

"That's it. Sleep, Agent Burke. When you wake up maybe you'll have a new persona too."

He saw the cold smile on his friend's face as he fought the drug, lips moving. He had to know who he was dealing with and where Neal was.

"Who... are... you?"

The figure shrugged, hand grasping his chin so they were looking eye to eye.

"You can call me Nick for now."

Peter wanted to ask more but felt himself nod back sleepily before everything started to fade to blackness and he passed out.

()()()

Nick smiled down at the unconscious agent. He not so gently lifted Peter Burke up under the arms and carried him towards the back of the first floor. A ball of yellow fur lay sleeping peacefully outside by the backdoor although once he drew near, Satchmo's eyes looked up at him sleepily then rolled back closed. Nick smiled. He had come acting like Neal long enough to calm the dog and give him some drugged snacks. Once the dog was calm he worked on his plan to get at Peter. He was the only link Neal had to being in control. If Nick got rid of the agent, what would Neal have to stay around for?

The agent was definitely heavier than he looked as Nick hefted him up and carried him through the back patio and into a waiting car. He'd hot-wired a nice sedan and left it waiting behind the Burke home. He opened up the trunk and stuffed the agent inside before closing it up and slipping into the driver's seat. This was going to be a fun day he thought as he put the car into gear and took off. In the background he heard someone trying to talk to him but pushed the voice aside. Neal had done it to him enough times he was glad to ignore his other half.

"You've had ample time to control this body. I want my turn and I'm not ready to give it up yet."

The voice continued so he pulled the car out of traffic to an empty lot, reached under the seat and grabbed something as he stepped out and opened up the trunk. He pointed the item at the unconscious form of Peter Burke, the voice protesting and then pleading with him as he cocked the gun before the voice finally quieted down.

"Good. I would hate to kill him before all the fun begins. Now, stay quiet and let me take him where it all began."

()()()

Peter was out cold, only faint hints of memory flashing in his dark mind as he lay in the trunk of the stolen car unawares. He thought he felt a presence but it was probably just fancy from his imagination and the drug he was given.

Peter... wake up!

Peter?

He thought he heard Neal's voice calling out to him in his dreams but then it faded, his body still aching from the fall down the stairs as the drug lured him mind back to the darkness.

()()()

Neal screamed and yelled but nobody could hear him. He was in the ultimate of prisons: his own mind. There was a door before him with a slit he could peer through but it was impenetrable as he tried to find a way to pick it or break it down as he continued to yell. Two blue eyes peeked through at him, Neal drawing back at the sudden appearance.

"Shut up, Neal. The more noise you make the sooner I kill your agent friend. I wonder how he'd fare with Soren's box."

Nick was smiling at him through the hole, finally sliding it shut when Neal tried to reply.

"Nick! Stop this! Nick!"

He heard nothing but a light faint laughter behind the door as it faded away. Neal didn't know what was going on, trapped in this prison his mind had created for him. There were no windows but the slit in the door and Nick had closed it off so there was no way for him to see what was going on now. He was being locked out of his own body and Peter was in danger. What could he do?

Neal paced the room feverishly, looking for any way to escape but there was none that he could find. No vents offered him any kind of exit or window or the door. He looked down at the floor and found it was carpeted. His mind started to think about something as he moved to the edge of the carpet and pulled at the corner till he thought a nail would yank off. Finally the glue and nails gave in and he saw wooden boards underneath. This would be harder than he thought as he glanced around the nearly empty room. All he had available was a metal cot and a wooden chair. He broke a leg off the cot and stamped on it till one end was slightly flattened. Neal used it as a lever, pulling at the floorboards till he saw it splinter and heard it crack as the panel broke from the floor revealing tile beneath.

"You're kidding me?"

Neal cursed under his breath, looking around and seeing the wooden chair as he walked over, broke off a leg and used it to smash at the tile. It was solid and after a bit of effort the tile broke, Neal using the lever he'd made to pick the pieces away till he saw cement beneath that. Nick had trapped him inside here good. He sat down a moment, looking around but knew there had to be some kind of out. There had to be and out if he was going to save Peter. Neal got back up, moving to another corner and doing the same thing again. If he had to tear up all the carpeting, floorboards and tile he would.

It was a good hour or so later he had torn up all but the middle of the room revealing nothing but solid cement beneath the tile. He had even hit the walls to see if something opened up beyond there but it had been cinder block and metal. If anything, Nick knew he would have tried to escape a conventionally created room. His alter ego had trapped him well. Neal sighed as he went to work on the last bit of carpeting. It was probably just as fruitless an endeavor but he had to do something to feel useful. He was using the last leg of the cot as he tore at the carpeting, yanked up the floor boards and finally smashed at the tile with a less than happy frown.

"What the..."

The tile sounded hollow. There was no solid sound when he smashed at it but it was harder than the other tiles had been. Neal felt a bit of hope come back as he grabbed up another chair leg and smashed hard against the tile. It resisted but he kept at it, hitting over and over again till finally a crack appeared and grew. A smile curved up his lips as he hit harder and the tile broke away on its own, crumbling across the board till a large 5 x 5 hole appeared. Darkness swirled beyond it but he knew it was the way out as he sat on the edge and jumped into the chaos.

I'm coming Peter. Hold on!

()()()

Nick carried the unconscious and drugged Peter through the empty building and down the stairs through the maintenance tunnel. It was beginning to be a familiar place to him, almost like home as he entered the place that had created him with slight smile on his face. He had pushed Neal away finally, getting control over their body. He was going to have fun being in charge. No conscience was going to stop him, not even Neal. He grinned at the thought as he moved down a gray corridor towards a familiar door. Peter groaned softly, shifting a bit. Nick had to hurry before the agent work up and he had to kill him by hand. It wasn't that he didn't want to hurt the agent but Neal was still with him enough that his control was only just so.

He pushed the door open and dropped the agent on the floor a moment. The man was heavy to say the least but any chance to get rid of him was worth it. Neal could have been a great thief and con if he'd only gotten his hands dirty. Nick could do that once he got rid of the agent. Peter's death would push Neal back far enough Nick could take control. He smiled at the thought as he prepared the machine, opening up the pine box and reaching down for the agent.

"Ok, Agent Burke. We're going to see just how strong your resolve is. Can you survive death and come back in one piece?"

Peter gave another groan, eyes fluttering as if they might open as the con lifted the still mostly unconscious agent up and onto what looked to be a rough casket. He dropped Peter inside the box, crossing the man's arms over his chest as he hooked up something that looked like an IV to one arm and slapped the agent's face a bit to rouse him.

"Wake up! It won't be any fun unless you're conscious."

Nick grabbed something from nearby, holding it under the agent's nose till Peter's face crinkled in reply, eyes starting to open up. The con smiled coldly.

"Now the fun begins."

()()()

Peter was one big ache, the car bouncing and jostling him around the trunk as he lay in there unable to do more than just be. He heard the sound of the car moving that he was inside of but in the back of his mind he thought he heard Neal talking to him but he couldn't reply, the young man telling him to hold on. He felt himself nod, eyes still shut firmly till he finally felt the motion of the vehicle come to a halt and a hint of light beneath his closed lids. Someone picked him up not so gently, a groan escaping his lips as they half carried and dragged him along. Someone who sounded like Neal spoke to him with cold angry tones. He could only guess this was Nick as he sensed his captor stop, a creaking sound like a door before he was moved again and dropped unceremoniously on the hard metal floor. He gave another groan, someone talking to him through the pulse pounding in his head.

It seemed he lost track of things a moment just before he smelled a harsh scent pushed under his nose. His face crinkled in revulsion, Peter trying to move away as his eyes began to flutter open.

There was blue sky above, the clouds seemingly moving around as if he were outdoors but he knew he wasn't. Music was playing suddenly and he thought he heard a preacher giving an elegy. What was going on? Where was he? It seemed he was looking up and out, lying on his back in what felt to be a rough wooden slab. His eyes began to move around noting he was in a large wooden crate, arms crossed over his chest in repose. Peter's mind started to wake up, realizing what this was and what it meant.

I'm not... dead. El?

He looked up and thought he saw her looking down at him, crying. Peter blinked but she had already moved aside, other people he knew seemingly passing close to peer over with sad eyes.

Jones? Diana? REESE!

His mind was confused by the strange hallucination he thought he had to be experiencing. He couldn't be dead. He was just... he'd been at home with his wife and then... His mind went blank as slowly he realized the lid was being lowered, the preacher's words going to "ashes to ashes... dust to dust..." Peter felt a kind of panic but he wasn't able to respond fast enough as the solid pine door shut down over him.

"Wait... I'm not dead! EL!"

He was awake now, conscious and alert as he pushed up on the pine lid but it was solid and didn't budge. Peter yelled, feeling his heart racing in fear as he felt the splintery wood dig into his skin and leave small bits of itself in him. He had to escape this prison. El was waiting for him.

"EL! I'm not... dead! Someone let me out!

Peter kept trying to get out till he felt as if he was hyperventilating, the music and preacher's voice replaced with another more insidious one.

The dead do not come back, Peter. You have to change. Are you willing to change?

He was breathing hard now, the air feeling thinner as he felt himself being lowered into the ground. His body was freaking out, Peter trying to think rationally but the drugs and the unseen IV on his arm were creating enough of a panic as his already stressed system started to shut down. He lay back against the casket and shuddered, lungs crying out for air as he could no longer take in a full breath.

That's it Peter... you are no longer Agent Peter Burke, boyscout. You've always wanted to be like your friend Neal. Admit it. You wanted to do wrong.

Peter's head shook, mouth moving as his eyes started to roll back.

"No... not... tr... tru... ue."

He heard a chuckle as the voice seemed to reach into his very head and poke around. He was starting to crack but he would be strong for El if not Neal. He had to be.

Then you want revenge on Neal. He caused your life to turn upside down. Put your life and Elizabeth's in danger. You'd like to get back at him wouldn't you? Admit it.

His face contorted as he fought the voice but finally he nodded.

"Trouble... he's trouble..."

He paused, gasping for breath before continuing.

"But... good. Neal has... good in... him. My... frien... nd."

He heard a curse from the voice just as his last breath choked in his throat. He was going to die, eyes opening a moment as he thought he saw Neal looking at him sadly, begging him not to leave and then... darkness.

()()()

Neal found himself falling through the swirling mass of darkness. He heard thoughts and memories colliding around him in a cacophony of blinding sight and sound before he saw himself looking down at a familiar room.

No... it can't... Nick!

His other self turned, a dark smile on their face but he didn't give Nick time to think. He punched him hard, his other self falling back and hitting the ground as he took his place.

You can't come back. I sealed you up! Besides... your agent friend is already dead. You're too late, Neal.

He saw the cold smile widen as he angrily wished the other him away, a screaming Nick yelling and cursing as he was pushed aside. Neal looked at the control panel and found the reversal button. He watched as the coffin rose up from the hole in the slab it sat on and finally jerked to a stop. He pried open the lid afraid of what he might see.

"Peter? Peter wake up. Wake up!"

The agent lay there in the pine coffin his brown eyes staring up through partially open lids. His skin was ashen, lips slightly blue as Neal disconnected him from the IV and pulled the limp form of his friend from the box and onto the floor. He gently slapped at Peter's face, shaking the figure he had come to call a mentor and partner.

"Peter... come on. Breath!"

Neal was panicking, feeling for a pulse and relieved to feel one. The agent wasn't breathing though so he opened up his mouth, pinched his nose and pressed his lips to his friend's as he started to breath for him. Peter's eyes continued to stare up blankly as the con felt himself starting to cry.

"Peter, breath dammit! El's waiting for you... You can't leave her!"

He kept breathing for the agent till too much time had passed and he realized his friend wasn't coming back. He moved aside exhausted, feeling for a pulse and finding nothing. Peter was gone and it was all his fault. Neal's eyes went back up to the pine box and the control panel. There was a button marked automatic that caught his eye as he stood up and moved towards it. He saw Nick standing nearby.

What are you doing, Neal? Neal... come on. He was bad for both of us. He was holding you back. Neal!

Neal ignored the voice in his head, pushing the button and setting it for 1 minute as he took a hold of Nick and pushed him into the box. Neal looked at Peter then at the control box as it was counting down to zero before he lay in the box, a screaming Nick beside him.

Don't do this, Neal! It's not worth it! Neal! You're going to kill us both! Neal! NEAL!

He pulled the lid shut as he heard Nick scream but felt a calm wash over him. This was for the best as he pushed the IV into his arm and lay back. It would be a less than peaceful end to his life but he had killed Peter. Nick would be gone and Neal... he could finally rest. He closed his eyes feeling the air thinning as the coffin descended. He wasn't afraid, Nick screaming and banging on the box to be free until finally the voice disappeared and it was just his own peaceful thoughts.

Neal? Neal, how do I stop this thing. Neal?

That's odd. The preacher sounded like Peter but Peter was dead. Neal didn't think anything of it, his mind already starting to fade when he felt the box rising. It must be the lack of air. He was fading still, dying and Nick was gone. He would leave this earth in one piece at least, his eyes rolling back as he started to choke. He sensed light overhead and someone lifting him up and out of the rough box. It had to be a dream, he was dying... he was dead.

"Neal... come on. Stay with me buddy."

It really did sound like Peter but it couldn't be. Peter had died. He'd seen him. Neal felt strong hands holding him, one brushing his hair gently as his eyes fluttered open to see a blurry figure above.

"Hey... Neal, come on. Wake up."

It looked like Peter and sounded like him as his vision focused a moment but he was certain it couldn't be. He'd seen his friend die. It had been his fault. He smiled up at the hallucination before his eyes rolled back and he passed out. Neal was where he belonged... darkness.