A/N So boredom = more writing. Lol. And please substitute razor for knife from the last chapter, it will make more sense and be accurate later in the story. Well enough suspense, onto the fic! (Sorry, but it's a sad chapter. Blame SA because I have no influence over it. And if I did, Most of the guys would be sitting watching Enchanted with me.)

Ernst tossed and turned in his sleep that night; he had a gut feeling that something was very wrong with Moritz.

Because of his lack of sleep, Ernst moved slowly that morning and was forced to race to school again. He was in such a hurry that he did not notice the note with his name on it set on his porch.

As he took his seat, Ernst looked around him to see what his classmates were doing. Otto and Georg were discussing what they typically do: food and girls. Hanschen had glanced at Ernst when he sat down and then stared off into space. Melchior kept glancing at Moritz's empty chair; he must have wondered where his friend was. Ernst told himself that he would enlighten Melchior after class despite how nervous Melchior made him. He would do it for Moritz.

Classes dragged on and on while Ernst's thoughts turned to his friends and their lives. Moritz would probably end up like Ilse, running away from home and barely heard from now that he was done with school. Melchior and Hanschen would probably leave their small town and do great things. Otto and Georg would marry each marry one of the girls and continue to do whatever their parents approved of. As for himself, Ernst was not entirely sure what he would do. He would probably do whatever his parent asked him to, whether he liked it or not.

Ernst was brought out of his thoughts as everyone around him started to move; school was over now. He saw Melchior hurrying out the door and did his best to catch up.

"Melchior!" Ernst called after him.

Melchior paused and waiting until Ernst was in earshot before he claimed he needed to go see Moritz and ran off.

Feeling a bit slighted, Ernst headed towards the vineyard. To his surprise, Hanschen was waiting for him.

Ernst sat down and took out his homework to attempt to get something accomplished, but he was too distracted with worry. He had not heard from Ilse since she ran away and now Moritz was having problems of his own. Ernst just knew he was.

"Something the matter Ernst?" Hanschen asked, staring at the young boy.

"Not particularly. Why do you ask?"

"You haven't done any of your work and you have been staring at nothing."

"Oh. I am just concerned for a few of our peers."

"Like who?"

"Ilse and Moritz mostly. Everyone else will be able to survive on their own. Or at least with their parents' assistance."

"Including myself?"

"Especially you. And Melchior. You're both smart enough and know enough to survive in the world on your own. It is the rest of us that will need help."

"I believe that you will do well on your own Ernst. Do not sell yourself short," Hanschen concluded as he rose and picked up his things.

"Thank you Hanschen."

Hanschen nodded his acknowledgement as he walked away. Ernst picked up his things as well and headed towards home. Perhaps he would try to find Ilse later to check up on her.

As he walked up the few stairs to the porch, he saw the letter with his name on it.

In his eagerness, Ernst tore it open and quickly read through it.

Dear Ernst,

Thank you for all you have done. You truly are an amazing friend. However, I cannot continue to live with all of my failures. Know that you and Melchior were the ones who helped keep me going this long. Please help him through this difficult time. You are the only one who can. You have seen me for the final time.

Moritz

Ernst walked slowly into his house, confused by this letter. It was not until he heard his mother crying that he began to panic.

"Mama, what is wrong?"

"Oh Ernst, Moritz Steifel was found dead in the woods."

Shock set in and Ernst could not feel anything. He then ran up to his room and slammed the door. Falling on his bed, Ernst began sobbing for the friend that he could not help and was now gone. Forever.

A/N So, originally I was going to add his funeral in this chapter too, but I wanted to get a new chapter up and this one is relatively long. And sorry if I misspelled Moritz's name. I don't have my book near me to double check on spellings.

Also, I've grown quite fond of the youtube videos I have found of the London cast. I really wish I could just meet every English-speaking Spring Awakening cast member. They just have to be that amazing. Lol.