A/N: I swear, either this story hates me, or Microsoft Word is going on strike for using it constantly. It keeps freezing for hours at a time, and then closing down. So, this chapter has been rewritten dozens of times. Let's hope this one works. Song for the chapter: Mad World-Adam Lambert (song on profile).

Enjoy!

Chapter Nine: Dying Dreams

Sara POV:

I was dying. And I know you're wondering, what about the cure? I've got news. That so-called 'cure' was fake. Just false news. So I resigned myself to death, resigned myself to the fact that I was growing weaker.

I was bedridden, burning up with a fever but feeling as if I had been standing, barely clothed, in snow for several days. I slept constantly, since it was my only way to escape to a better reality. I was never hungry, and I couldn't keep a healthy amount of weight on my already too skinny body.

My parents were worried, but still hoping for the best. I played along with them, promising I'd hold on for as long as possible.

I slipped in and out of pleasant dreams, dreams in which began with a healthier me, but that ended with me dying. I woke once to a soft melody that warmed my heart with the heartfelt lyrics.

All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very
Mad World
Mad world

The song ended, and I drifted off to sleep again, wanting to hear the song again.

Chris POV:

Why wasn't Sara at school? The play was now less than a month away, and Mrs. Adams was freaking out. I was too, but I was more worried about her health.

I called her house constantly, but it was always her mother that picked up, telling me that Sara would be at the school play, and that she should be coming to school the week before the play. And, always, always, Sara was unavailable to talk.

Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday
And I feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me, no one knew me
Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson
Look right through me, look right through me
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever had

Sara POV:

Two weeks before the show. It took a superhuman amount of strength to get out of bed that morning, and it took all of my willpower just to get the kitchen. I wasn't going to give in, though. I was going to go to school, and I was going to complete the play.

I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very
Mad World
Mad World
Enlarging your world
Mad World.

Chris POV:

She was here. Sure, she looked sick and weak, but Sara was here. And just in time for the costume fitting, too.

"Sara!" Mrs. Adams said gaily as Sara limped into the room, her face as pale as a sheet. "So glad you could make it! Come over here, I want to make sure this dress fits, since you've lost so much weight…" Her voice trailed off, as Sara tried on costume after costume, all of which were too big for her frail frame.

Sara kept apologizing for the weight loss, but Mrs. Adams waved it away with a few murmured words that I couldn't hear and a pitying look.

After the costume fitting (all of mine fit), Sara came up to me.

"Chris…" She opened her mouth, changed her mind, and closed it.

"Yes?" I asked, fiddling with my hat.

"You look great in your costumes." She said.

"So do you." There was a little pause, full of unspoken words. "Do you want to see Angels and Demons with me Saturday?" I asked.

"We can't Chris. Dress rehearsal, remember?" She reminded me, twirling a golden locket in her fingers.

"Oh… Yeah." Sara nodded, swaying slightly, and walked away, collapsing on a couch.

What was wrong with her?

A/N: Did you like it? The end is in sight! I have had fun writing this story, and I'm kind of sad to be so near to the end! The play will be in the next chapter, and then I might have two or three chapters after that. Please review!