Chapter 57

Live a Good Life

Reluctantly opening his eyes, Joshua rolled on his bed to respond to the knock on the door. Glancing at the clock he saw it was early morning, which made him groan all the more. He hated early mornings. Propping himself up on some pillows he called out for the person to come in.

The door opened up to reveal Lisa, looking slightly worried.

"What is it?" Joshua asked, rubbing a hand through his hair. "Something wrong?"

"You know today is the day that David is scheduled to die, yes?"

Joshua nodded. "I know." He sighed. "Well, Fisk has got his men watching the monitors to track us."

"That's the thing." Lisa raised one hand to show Joshua a radio and a tracker. "These are David's."

Joshua blinked once before shaking his head. "Woah, what do you mean? Why hasn't he got them on him? He must have forgot it or something, he-"

"No, Joshua. He left a note." Using her other hand, Lisa threw a slip of paper towards Joshua, who grabbed it from the air and scanned it.

This is probably a stupid move on my part, but I need to focus on today. I can't have distractions. If you need to find me for an emergency, just ask Joshua. He'll know. Only for an emergency, please.

-David

"That is a stupid move." Joshua growled, crunching the paper in his hand. Swinging out of the bed he reached for his shirt. "He is such an idiot." Buttoning up his shirt Joshua pulled on his headband. He was already wearing his trousers, since he knew he might have to get out of bed at any time and he did not want to be wearing nothing in that situation. "I'll get him."

"You need help?" Lisa asked hesitantly.

"I'll be fine." Joshua replied, grabbing the tracker and radio off his mother and leaving the room.

XXX

Richard was feeling nervous. His exterior didn't show it, but inside he was shaking. Ever since he had left Fisk's house at six in the morning for his early morning walk, he had felt like he was being followed. He had confirmed the fact by looking in car mirrors as he passed. The man wasn't even trying to hide, dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans, looking normal as can be. But something in his gut told Richard that this person was following him.

Calm down. Richard told himself. You got the upper hand. They don't know that you know. Surprise them and get the reason. With this in mind, Richard turned the corner and immediately doubled back, leaning on the wall just out of sight from the previous path. Counting down five seconds, the man turned the corner just on schedule. Richard took a step forward so the two were almost touching.

"Why are you following me?" Richard asked with a low voice, using his taller height to his advantage. The man was obviously surprised, his eyes widening.

"I-"

"Do not bullshit me." Richard said sternly. "Trust me, I'll know when you're lying."

Richard was ready for the blow, although didn't quite understand why the blow was coming. Being in a lot of altercations because of his career, Richard knew how to react. Keeping his feet planted he swayed back, allowing the fist to brush harmlessly past. Using the momentum of coming back forward Richard slammed a forearm into the top of the man's head. He wasn't going to use his fist, since he didn't want broken bones. The man collapsed to the ground, stunned.

Looking up from the man, Richard stiffened as he noticed a lot more people in the street. Now that he thought about it, the street was completely empty of civilians and cars. Men wearing exactly the same combination as the first – jeans and a white t-shirt – were coming out from everywhere, the doors, the alley-way entrances, from hidden nooks and crannies.

Richard could handle three or four at a time. But this many? Richard counted twenty and knew he was no match. The hostile intention was clear. One man got close, a cocky grin smeared across his face. This time Richard was unprepared, focusing on trying to keep track of the others. The fist planted itself in his stomach, winding him. From behind him, one hand pushed him to his knees. Another hand grabbed his hair and pulled his head back, forcing him to look up to the man with the cocky grin.

"Richard Johnson. Tell us everything you know about Lisa Valentine, Joshua Valentine and Gregory Fisk."

"Who?" Richard asked dryly. Richard saw the fist but couldn't exactly do anything. The fist slammed hard into his cheek, almost certainly dislodging a few teeth.

"We have all the time in the world." The man said clearly. "You will tell us everything, Richard. We will go to any means."

XXX

Sitting on the guard-rail at the top of the building, David swung his legs in the air. He was looking out over the busy streets below, thinking hard. He had slept on the couch the previous night at Lucy's place, but had left early in the morning to deliver the note to Fisk's building and then come here. He had left a note telling her he would be back but had to think things through.

It was more than he had ever hoped to talk with Lucy again. They had talked deep into the night and David couldn't help but be remembered of the first night they had spent together, more than twenty years before.

"You planning on doing anything stupid?"

David smiled to himself. "How did I know you'd come? Is it an emergency?"

Joshua climbed over the guard-rail and leaned forward, using his arms to keep himself from falling. "It would be so easy, wouldn't it?" Joshua started, looking down the building. "Just let go and crunch. David, I know the stress tha-"

"Woah there, Joshua, forget the pep talk." David couldn't help but increase his smile at Joshua's conclusion. "I am not planning to kill myself."

Joshua blinked. "Huh?"

"I'm not going to kill myself." David repeated.

"Then why are you practically hanging off the side of here?" Joshua asked.

"I was thinking and feeling young. I used to sneak up to my school roof all the time. Actually where I met Lucy. She was…" David shook his head. "So what's the emergency?"

"You're scheduled time is today." Joshua answered. "Not to mention you left your tracker and radio at Fisk's place. Why?"

"I told you, I wanted to think to myself." David crossed his arms and continued to look out over the streets. "Nothing is going to kill me anytime soon, not when I've just started to repair my life."

"So that's why you're smiling." Joshua sat down next to David. "And you look eager to talk to someone. I'm all ears."

"Sure, but if I hear you spreading it I will melt you face with acid. Hopefully that'll kill you."

XXX

{It's a trap.}

"Of course it is." Lisa replied to Fisk's question. "That isn't going to stop me."

{Just let my men accompany you.}

"No. The message said to come alone and here I am. I'll be fine. It's not like they can kill me." Lisa shook her head. "Besides, Richard is here, isn't he? He might want to talk privately."

{Don't even lie to yourself, Lisa. If Richard is there, he isn't in any fit state}

"Stop being such a pessimist." Lisa shook head as she turned the corner. "Besides, I'm here now. Maybe I can get some useful… information…" Lisa paused, blinking.

{Lisa? What is it? Lisa, respond to me. Lisa!}

Lisa didn't respond as she had dropped the radio. Walking forward slowly, the figure became familiar. Falling to one knee next to him, Lisa stared at Richard in horror.

He was covered in all sorts of injuries. Bruises covered every inch of bare skin, his nose was almost certainly broken and one eye was swollen shut. Blood seeped out from stab wounds in his legs and arms. His fingers looked stomped on and one arm was twisted out of place. Somehow, he was still breathing although Lisa had no clue whether he was conscious or not. She almost hoped he wasn't.

"Oh god…" Lisa moved her hand over Richard's ruined face.

"…I look that bad…?" Richard's faint voice rattled. His one open eye tracked Lisa.

"What happened?" Lisa asked.

"Stupid question." Richard grunted. He lifted one hand and managed to grab Lisa's own. "I got some… in-information for you." Richard suddenly coughed, turning his head to allow blood to spit against the road. Looking back up to Lisa he opened his mouth.

"No, don't talk, it can wait." Lisa reached for her pocket. "I'll-"

"You d-don't talk." Richard grunted. "I'm well… well aware what's going to happen. So let me… tell you what I know. These people weren't the most t-tight-lipped I've seen." Richard sighed. "Gerald Myers."

Lisa stiffened. "What? What was that?"

"G-Gerald Myers." Richard repeated. His voice was getting fainter. "H-He is almost certainly this guy imitating Death and caused that bridge accident… he… he lives here in New York. They were bragging, you see."

"Why you?" Lisa asked quietly. "Why not try and get me or Joshua?"

"Don't try to fool me, Lisa… I know that this man knows about you being Chosen. He knows that you would just heal. Which leads me to believe that he is probably Chosen as well." Richard closed his one good eye. "I'm sure you… you had your reasons for keeping it quiet but please… tell me if I'm right."

Lisa bit her bottom lip before nodding. "Yes. He… yes, he was. He was the fifth Chosen. But Death cast him out because he was corrupted. Death assured us that Myers wouldn't be a problem."

"Heh… it sounds like you need to go talk with Death…" Richard opened his eye again. "Or maybe I will, I-I'm about to meet him anyway."

"Richard, don't you talk like that!" Lisa said firmly, keeping hold of Richard's hand.

"You should know better than anyone that it's hopeless." Richard closed his eyes once more. "Yes… hopeless… did I ever tell you the story about my mother?"

"Be quiet, Richard!" Lisa was almost glad that Richard couldn't see the tears slowly sliding down her cheeks. She wasn't even certain why she was crying. She didn't usually cry. "You don't need too-"

"It was when I was sixteen… she was… she was shot in a botched grocery store robbery…" Richard coughed violently again. "My inspiration to become who I was… and you know what, ever since I met you I always thought you looked like my mother… You even sound like her…" Richard's mouth moved faintly into a smile. "Joshua ought to be happy… Do me a favour, Lisa… can you… can you say 'Live a good life, Richard'? It was my mother's last words… can you… do that for me?" Richard grew quiet.

Lisa nodded, despite the fact that Richard couldn't see her. "…L-Live a good life, Richard."

A faint breath of relief came from Richard. "They wanted me to say… say everything I knew… I said nothing… Thank you…" Richard's breathing ceased and his hand went limp in Lisa's own.

Lisa found a small bubble of rage in her brain. Keeping tight hold of Richard's hand, she grit her teeth in fury. "…Gerald Myers…"

A/N: Thanks to Gabe's-Girl-Forever for the 200th Review! It's always a great milestone to reach another hundred.

And Richard is killed. A sad end, but he never spilled a thing. Deaths are only gonna get harder to handle.

So, with the revelation that Myers is a former Chosen I can get to an announcement:- I will be publishing a six-chapter story soon. Each chapter will be a one-shot of an important moment in the lives of the Chosen. It will start off with a chapter about the first time they all met in the bridge accident (explaining some things), before going in this order:- Joshua, Miles, Lisa, Fisk and finally Myers. The first chapter should be up by Sunday (UTC time).

So, David is scheduled to die soon. What will happen? Only next chapter will enlighten you! 'Till then!