Chapter 71

Two Shots

"I always wonder about death. Not Death with a capital 'D', but death as in the actual event. Would it last longer? Would it be quick as a flash or would you be in your mind for a while. I guess it kind of depends on the situation. But in the end, it's the same. Gunshot wound or the end of cancer, the death part still remains the same. I used to think that I'd want to know when it was coming. I'd want it to be painless, but I'd want to know it's coming so I can come to terms with it. I used to be so… so scared of dying suddenly.

"Then all this stuff happened. We were chosen. We were on some godforsaken list. Isaac snuffed it and I left… him… and then… and then I really thought about it. Suicide. I think in every list there's this one guy who just can't handle it, he tries to off himself, but can't do it because 'it's not his time'. Well, that was my problem. It wasn't my time. Then I was Chosen, then I'd just heal. I was anchored no matter how much I wanted to leave.

"Then he… god rid of my son. Killed him. Cold blood. Once more, I wanted it. I wanted it so, so badly. I tried, I did, I tried everything. Swallowed a bunch of pills, they were just like candy. Tried to hang myself, just succeeded in an annoying pain in the neck. Then I hear Gerald Myers is dead. I felt dull at that point. Myers didn't kill my son. Then Gregory. Dead? Gregory? Who snuffed him out? Then I thought… maybe… maybe if Gerald is dead then maybe… so I tested it. Cut my finger. Still hasn't healed. So I can finally end it. I can finally let go and be with my son again."

Lips moved away from the recorder as Lisa set it down on the table. She had bad handwriting, so a suicide letter would have been illegible. She smiled. Lisa knew how she wanted to end it. A razor to both wrists, a razor to the neck. It would hurt, sure, but then it wouldn't. Because she would be with Miles, with Isaac. A happy family with the son she should have raised.

Exhaling, Lisa put a chair in front of a mirror and sat down. She had to admit, it would be interested to see herself die, but she wanted to die looking at herself. A bit egotistical, no?

Lisa took a last look at herself. The jet black hair that somehow hadn't greyed. People thought she used dye, nope, completely natural. Lovely green eyes. I saw him looking at them… maybe he can be the uncle in the family. Uncle Richard… has a nice ring to it…

Raising the straight razor delicately in her fingers, Lisa stared into her eyes. Christ, I thought I was going to have to persuade myself, but this is simple. I'll be with them again.

Then the door opened.

Lisa didn't turn, just looked in the mirror. She didn't lock the door, simply because she wanted somebody to find her. No point in killing yourself if your body won't be found. Expecting the hotel owner, or a neighbour, Lisa certainly wasn't expecting the extremely gaunt looking Jason Stark. His eyes were blackened as if he hadn't slept for months, his face drawn and his whole body thin. What was more surprising was the pistol he held in his hands, pointed straight for the back of her head. She understood immediately.

"So, Myers got into your mind. I guess I know how. Poor Jennifer." Lisa sighed. "No need to come hunting for me, though, Jason. I'm about to go out myself."

"I will kill you." Jason said firmly. "You killed her."

"Oh?" Lisa couldn't help but laugh. "Sure. I killed Jennifer. Go on, believe it." Lisa looked down to the razor in her hands. "You know, perhaps a bullet to the head will be an easier way to go. Either you shoot me, or I'll cut myself. Either way you'll see me dead and I'll get to see those I love once more.

Jason's face twisted into one of anger. "It will be me… you… at my hands…"

XXX

Blood spat from his nose as he landed hard onto the concrete, the back of his head hitting the alleyway wall.

"You like that? Huh?" The man had a cocky grin plastered all over his face, hat turned sideways. "Where's your knife now, big man? Come on!" He kicked the young adult on the floor in the ribs. "Come on, boy, come on!"

"Hey." Another man, this one in a hoody, pushed the previous aside. With a smirk, he crouched in front of the young adult. "We saw that piece of ass was killed at the subway. Recognised her picture. I was gonna fuck her. Fuck her nice and good. Now she's dead. Should have let us have our way with her." The hooded man held the young adult's chin between two fingers. "Ah well. I don't need priorities. You still a virgin?"

No response. Just blank, dull eyes.

"…the fuck?" The hooded man squeezed on the chin but got nothing. "You should be scared. You taking us for granted? Come on!" Letting go of the young adult's chin, the hooded man slammed a hard punch into the side of the young adult's face. He collapsed to the floor, eyes simply staring.

"Dammit, I was looking forward to you screaming and struggling." The hooded man spat on the floor. "Ain't gonna be right without it." He turned towards the man with the hat. "Let's get the hell outta here. Ain't fun when they ain't screaming."

"You sure? I mean, he made a fool out of us."

"Yeah. Besides, my brother just got in this hot new chick who ain't shy."

Brother…

"Haha, oh yeah? I got to say, your brother chooses the best."

Brother…?

"Sucks like a vacuum, he says."

Brother!

The man in the hoody didn't even see it coming. The brick slammed hard onto the back of his head, knocking him out before he even hit the floor.

"…Dude…?" The man in the hat stared at his friend, before looking up and taking in the demon in front of him. His shirt had been ripped open when they were kicking him, the buttons flying every which way. Now, combined with that ferocious look, the faces of drama were faces of demons. "No… no, wait, we were just-"

Joshua took one simple step forward and jammed his finger hard into the man's eye. The man's scream turned into a gargle as Joshua used his other hand to break the man's jaw with a simple twist. The man fell to his knees, hands going up to his now loose jaw, stupefied. Joshua regarded him with a cold, hard glare. He took a few steps forward, before turning around, eyes on fire. Joshua sprinted forward, slamming his foot hard into the side of the man's face.

Snap.

"As easy as that…" Joshua murmured. "Two men fight it out, both lose… yesiree… no-one needs to know I was here…" Joshua walked out of the alley, leaving the limp bodies behind. "What the hell was I thinking to not fight back?" Shaking his head, Joshua continued down the street. Then it hit him. The cage. The fire. His mouth curled inwards. "Oh… right…" Trying to ignore his shaking arms, Joshua tried to distract himself by looking into a store. Nothing he would buy. But damn if that glass wasn't reflective.

A clothes store… probably. Has shoes too. I have to say, I've never seen a clothes shop sell shoes.

Joshua's stature relaxed slightly as he forced his thoughts away to the back of his mind. That was when his eyes caught the teenager looking at him.

Why the hell is he looking at me? I have a feeling I know him… Wait, isn't that…

Spying a pistol of all things trained right at him, tucked under the teenagers arm, Joshua let out a chuckle. "Well, this is a surprise. I was told you went and got yourself killed over a cliff. 'Course not."

"You are a target."

"Sure, sure. You got balls though, a gun, right on the street, empty as it is. Any particular reason why? I mean, I saved your life before in Willingboro. Kind'a shitty way of showing your gratitude."

"The two of you shall be eliminated, by his orders."

Joshua frowned. "Ah. I see. So… that's where you went. I wonder if you went to him or if he came to you. Well, newsflash kid. Mr Myers is dead and gone." He suddenly laughed. "What the hell am I saying? He's got into your mind, so he's still alive to you. Awesome. I've been looking for a reason to get snuffed out. Come on then, orphan boy, right here, right now. Nobody here, but you may lose your chance."

"All the Chosen must die." Tyrone McRoux growled, his face twisted.

"Oh yeah?" Still looking at Tyrone in the reflective window, Joshua grinned. "Sure they do. I mean, Myers is dead, and I just got the news dear old Fisky kicked the bucket. I wonder who that was by. I'd ask Death, but I hate that bastard. Besides, who knows if he'd even talk to me anymore, now that he's shut off our healing. In fact, there's a paradox for you Tyrone, how can you kill the Chosen when no more Chosen exist?" Joshua crossed his arms. "But look at me just chatting. I'm waiting. Myers has programmed you right? So shoot me and get it over with…" Joshua's face fell. "God knows I'm looking forward to seeing Miles again…"

XXX

Lisa looked into Jason's eyes and saw the determination. Sure… a bullet will be much less painful. Quick, right? I'll expect a white light. Maybe I'll have a moment as I fall forward. Will I see my skull blown out in front of me, or will my eyes go too? Either way, I'm sure it's shorter than slicing myself open. I mean, it'll be just like a click of the fingers, right?

XXX

A click of the fingers, isn't it? Joshua smirked. Nice and quick. I guess it's like suicide by police. Instead it's suicide by orphan… heh… suicide by orphan. Nice one. Let's make a last joke before we die, eh, Joshua? Who needs to be serious in the face of death? Joshua looked at Tyrone. Sure. Joke about it. Knock, knock, who's there? Death? Oh, brilliant!

XXX

Together as one, in two completely different places, both Valentines watched as fingers pressed down onto triggers. At that moment, two shots fired simultaneously under the skies of New York.

A/N: Why is it the moment I say; things are going to be hectic; I start updating quickly? Crazy…

Anywho, thank you Bookreader2010 and Princezzshell101 for your reviews!

This may just be one of my favourite chapters I have ever written for any story. I loved it. As for the Valentines? Well… next chapter, eh?

'Till then and boy alive, is it a good one! Read! I tell you, Read like you're lives depend on it! *ahem*, anywho… see ya!