Chapter 14

I fought off the urge to scream as Erica tackled Anthony and they both hit the ground. I heard one of them gasp as they fell, so one of them was hit. Please dear God let both of them be okay. Don't let me lose Anthony, or my best friend again.

I dropped to my knees as I heard the Gendarmerie storming the theatre, heading for the stage. Anthony grabbed the back of his head and groaned from hitting the floor.

"Anthony!" I whispered, "Oh thank God you're all right!"

"I'm fine too, thanks." Erica said, her head turned away from me and resting on Anthony's shoulder.

"We have to get out of here." I said, rushing to help the two up so we could escape.

Anthony was the first one up, but when Erica tried to stand her legs buckled and she fell down. Anthony grabbed her by her shoulders and turned her around. I gasped and nearly lost consciousness.

The shot apparently had hit someone. Erica had a deep gash across her head, from her right temple to the hair line next to her left ear. Blood was running down her forehead...just like that night, and it didn't look like it was going to stop.

I started to cry, this couldn't be happening again. I saw Erica quirk a smile, "Hailey we have to get down stairs...can-can I borrow your boyfriend for a few moments until we arrive there? I don't think I can walk...too dizzy."

I just nodded as Anthony picked her up and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Then reality caught up with me, "You idiot! What were you thinking? You weren't thinking! Quit being so damn chivalrous, you're going to get yourself killed doing that! You're my best friend, do you honestly think I want to lose you, especially here of all places?! Do you have a death wish or something?!"

Erica smiled, "No, not necessarily. I just knew you would be heartbroken if Anthony died because you love him so much." Another shot was fired and Anthony and I ran for the secret passage across the stage.

I glared at Erica as we descended down through the passage, "Well that's not the point right now! I may love Anthony but I already knew that I would have to leave him; if I had to leave you here as well I would die when I got back home. School would be Hell without you there to do stupid stuff with me."

Anthony glanced at me for a moment when I said I loved him, but thankfully realizing right now wasn't the time to discuss it kept silent as we descended closer to the bottom of the stairs.

Erica nodded slightly after a moments pause, "I know, the same goes for you too; but I'm not dead. There's no reason to fuss over me."

"No reason to fuss?!" I screamed, "Erica, you're losing blood and you can barely stand, that's no reason to fuss?"

We finally reached the landing at the bottom of the stairs; Anthony stopped to place Erica's head in his lap and ripped his black shirt. He quickly made a bandage to go around her head and tied it as tight as he could so the blood flow would be restricted. I bit the inside of my mouth as I worriedly watched Anthony tie the bandage around Erica's head and tried not to stare at his half exposed chest.

Suddenly I remembered something, "Erica! Erik didn't drop the Chandelier, he didn't pull his lever for the trap door, we did! What about the song?"

While Anthony tied the final not on the bandage Erica started to count back with her fingers. Three...two...one. Screams were suddenly heard above and I looked at Erica, wondering what she did.

She waved me off saying, "Counteracted Erik's original design...w-with one of my own to...to prolong the crash...and also...slow the chandelier's d-decent...so it won't cause...cause too much unneeded damage."

Anthony, finished with his bandaging, quickly picked her back up saying, "We have to get her to Erik. He'll know what to do; he is a better doctor than I am."

I kissed Anthony on the cheek, "Thank you...let's go!"

We ran towards the lair as fast as we could, Erica still had her eyes open and that was the best sign in the world to me. As long as she stayed conscious she was alright.

Apparently there are many ways to get into Erik's lair, because when Anthony opened a door for us we were in Erik's bedroom. Anthony placed Erica down on the bed and she sat herself up against the headboard and pillows. I was about to protest but she held her hand up; "If I lay down I'll fall asleep. I need to stay awake; you know this as well as I do."

"Fine, fine." I said. "You better stay awake because I swear on my life that if you die I will kill you!"

Erica snorted, "Nice threat Hailey, very logical."

I shrugged, "Okay, if you die I'll bring you back to life just so I can kill you again. Better?"

Erica smiled, "Much."

Anthony pulled on my arm, and as we started for the main part of the lair I heard a terrified gasp. Anthony and I shared a look, this couldn't be good.

When we stepped into the main part of the lair, next to the lake, Christine was in her 'wedding dress' and Raoul was tied up to the gate. Erik was staring at Christine as she stared back at him with tears in her eyes. Anthony and I decided to stay silent a little while longer, but both of us knew Erik already knew we were there.

I felt like pulling my hair out, wasn't this what Erica and I were trying to prevent? Wait, something looked different. Erik wasn't holding a rope around Raoul's throat...Raoul was simply subdued.

Christine was breathing heavily; apparently she had worked herself up. Erik looked disbelieving then whispered, "What did you say?"

Christine fell to her knees and began to cry, her hands quickly covering her eyes. I'm not exactly heartless but, really? She was really crying? I rubbed my eyes exasperatedly, if Erica was up and about she would be telling me to be a little more sympathetic because she was scared, but really, she just looked pathetic.

Erik slowly walked over to her, crouching down beside her. He rubbed her back saying, "Shhh, Christine. It's okay, calm yourself."

Christine's breathing seemed to even out a bit then suddenly she wrapped her arms around Erik as if he was the only thing that mattered to her and pressed her lips to his. Erik jumped in surprise and Anthony threw his hand over top of my mouth before a surprised gasp escaped.

Raoul's attention snapped to our quick movements, but Anthony had successfully hidden us in the shadows where nobody would see us, except Erik of course. Raoul surprisingly didn't look crushed, he looked...calm.

Christine slowly pulled away from Erik and whispered something I didn't quite catch. All I heard were the two words 'sorry' and 'you'. Erik smiled then leaned his forehead against Christine's.

Okay, this is sweet but Erica needs medical attention. I saw a small rock next to my foot and kicked it slightly. It made a small noise as it slid across the rock floor but not loud enough to where any normal person like Christine or Raoul could hear it. Erik however, is not a normal person.

Erik turned only enough to see Anthony and I standing in the corner. He glared at me, probably for messing with his Opera, but if he was going to get mad at me then that's fine. I don't care; I'll explain to him why I did it later. Right now though, Erica was bleeding to death and we needed to get out of here before we corrupted the story further.

Anthony motioned to Erik's bedroom and made a weird motion that I didn't quite understand. Erik must have understood because his eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he looked over at Raoul.

Erik stood up slowly and walked over to Raoul. The two men glared at each other for a moment before Erik snapped the ropes and growled, "Take her. Forget me, forget all of this. Leave me alone."

Christine looked horrified as she still kneeled on the floor. Erik hauled her up, surprisingly gentle for how upset he seemed, and said, "Forget all you've seen. Go now, don't let them find you. Take the boat and swear to me never to tell, the secret you know...of the Angel in Hell!"

Christine stood in place and before Erik reached us he turned and bellowed, "Go now! Go NOW, and leave me!"

Christine jumped but took off towards Erik, calling, "Angel!"

Erik sighed as Christine reached him and hugged him, seemingly refusing to let go. Erik softly sang to her, "Christine...I love you."

Christine started to cry again, and after Erik had assessed the situation at hand he leaned down and whispered something in Christine's ear. Christine backed up to stare at him in the face for a moment before hugging him tightly again and then slowly releasing him.

Raoul stood on the boat, waiting to see what Christine would do when she slowly walked towards him and stepped in. She kept her distance from Raoul as he nodded once then began to row away.

Erik sighed once more, pulling a hidden lever, this one causing the stone wall to appear in front of the gate after Christine and Raoul had left. He turned and glared at Anthony and I before heading towards his bedroom, "How on earth did she get injured? She was perfectly fine on the stage, ruining my opera, the last time I saw her."

My face turned red in anger. I'm tired of leaving him in the dark, especially if he was going to be arrogant while he was there. I yelled, "She only did that to save your ass! You would have destroyed the whole Opera Polulaire with your stupid Chandelier if she wouldn't have come up with that plan! Climb down from your damn high horse and open your eyes! C-"

I was about to tell him Christine was going to unmask him during the opera when Anthony quickly placed his hand over my mouth and whispered, "Watch it...it's best he doesn't know."

I nodded against his hand and he let me go as Erik asked, "Destroyed the Opera? Very unlikely, at the worst the Chandelier would have looked as if it were going to fall but the pulley system I added would have stopped it at least twenty feet from the ground. Now, how on earth did she get...?"

Erik trailed off as he saw Erica on the bed. Her head was lolled to the side and she was humming something to keep her mind focused. I listened closer to the tune; it was 'Landslide' by Stevi Nicks. Erica, could you be any more morbid?

Erik crouched beside the bed to examine her head, she gave a hiss of pain then smiled, "Hailey, I know you're probably thinking I'm being a downer but it was the only song I could think of."

I laughed, "You're good at reading people's minds Erica, but you need to work on your need to try to save everybody."

She shrugged as Erik pulled her hair back and traced the cut into her scalp next to her ear, "We're all alive aren't we? I saved two...maybe three, lives from being ruined and the Opera didn't burn down."

Erica hissed again as Erik pulled something out of her head. Erik examined it then handed it to Anthony, "A piece of shrapnel. Erica, I think you're lucky to still be breathing. If that had dug a few centimeters deeper then it would have cut a main artery and you would surely have died from blood loss."

Erica looked down at her hands in her lap in embarrassment. I threw my arms around her and hugged her, then once again screamed, "You idiot! You were centimeters away from death! Don't throw yourself in front of a bullet for anyone ever again!"

Erik's eyes widened as he re-wrapped Erica's head, "You did what?! And you say I'm the foolish one? That was ludicrous! What poor fool, or should I say fools as you've so brazenly expressed, could you possibly care about enough to risk your little life for?"

Erica looked up at Erik defiantly, "Christine, you, and Anthony. I would do it again too, because my 'little life' is fine. As I've said before, I'm breathing aren't I?"

Erik looked taken aback by her statement then composed himself, "I want to know, right now. You plunged the theatre into darkness and ruined 'Don Juan' for a reason, what was going to happen?"

Erica bit her bottom lip and sighed, "Make the tea for us to go home, and before I drink it I'll tell you."

Erik pondered this for a moment then said, "Deal."

Erik swiftly left the room and I sat down beside Erica on the bed. She leaned her head back then whispered, "I don't think I want to go home anymore."

I nodded slightly as Anthony kneeled down next to Erica, he smiled at her as he grasped her hand, "I do not believe I expressed my gratitude to you for saving my life."

"You would have done the same for me or Hailey," Erica giggled. Girly-girl.

"Yes, I would have," Anthony said. "And I am grateful to you, both of you, for everything you've done tonight...we both are." Anthony glanced over his shoulder in Erik's direction and continued, "Even if he's too stubborn to admit it."

Erica sat up and slung her legs over the bed as she chuckled, "Classic Erik."

Erica went to stand and Anthony tried to stop her but she simply shrugged him off. Slowly rising to her feet she smiled then stretched. I heard several of her bones pop from the stiffness that had set in from staying still after taking quite, let's face it, a beating.

Erica sighed in content then leaned against the bed, "Are you okay Hailey? Anthony?"

Anthony and I simultaneously said, "I'm fine."

Anthony and I looked at each other in surprise then quickly glanced away. Erica giggled then asked, "So, you two are...together?"

I nodded as Anthony sighed, "For the time being anyway."

All of us seemed to remember what was about to happen, if it even worked that is. I had a feeling it would though, and I wanted it too at the same time I wished it wouldn't. We could live in this time couldn't we? I had Anthony, and with the way Erica acts she could fit into this time and catch a guy, no problem. I winced, the rational side of my brain kicking in. We had friends and family at home that would miss us and we just couldn't stay.

BANG!

All three of us visibly jumped at the sound of a gun going off. Are you serious?! What could it possibly be now?

Anthony and I ran through the archway door while Erica hung back. The sight that greeted us sent my happy demeanor out the window and onto a speeding train. Philippi was holding a revolver and searching for any sign of life, while Erik was nowhere to be seen. This is good, if you can't see him that means he's still alive...and hunting.

Anthony pulled me back into our previous hiding spot as the psycho searched for Erik. I heard Anthony's knuckles crack; he was definitely going to kill Philippi this time. Philippi heard the sound as well, screaming, "Come out ghost! I know you are there...or is it his pathetic stage hand assistant?"

Anthony growled, actually growled, in the back of his throat. He was about to say something when Erik's voice taunted and mimicked Philippi in his own voice, "Assistant? He's the Opera Ghost's assistant, shoot him!"

Philippi pulled the trigger once again, shooting blind. I watched as Philippi scowled, "Bastard! Where are Hailey, Erica, Raoul, and Christine? I want them back and then I want you to give me your assistant so I can shoot his brains out. That low life scum thinks he can take what is mine?!"

I gritted my teeth, if Erik didn't strangle this fool I certainly would. He has been nothing but a pain in the butt since I've been here!

I heard Erik chuckle as Philippi shot at no one once again, "If I may inquire sir, how did you make it into my lair?"

Philippi scoffed, "I simply found the door your assistant used to carry my sister and my...Fiancé down here."

My eyes widened in rage as I wrenched myself out of Anthony's grasp, picked up the nearest rock, and threw it at the back of Philippi's head as hard as I could. The rock hit home with a loud crack! The gun flew out of Philippi's hand and skidded across the floor as he cried out in pain.

Yes! I did a fist pump as Anthony grabbed me around the waist and pulled me back behind a curtain in the shadows. Anthony looked at me as if I were crazy before we returned our attention to Philippi. He clutched the back of his head then began to laugh.

I cringed at the sound, usually a maniac's laugh was smooth but his was sharp and quick. It sent the hairs on the back of my neck straight up as I clutched onto Anthony for support, and he in turn held onto me tighter.

Philippi turned and seemed to stare straight at us, though I knew he couldn't see us. His eyes swirled a little past us then floated over to where his gun lay. He returned his attention to our hiding spot for a brief moment as he said, "Got you."

Philippi turned on his heel and walked towards his gun as Anthony switched places with me behind the curtain and pulled out a pocket knife. "Over my dead body you do."

Anthony's phrase scared me and caused all sorts of bloody images to appear in my mind. What had I done? Philippi was just about to pick up his gun when a black figure dropped down atop him and wrestled him to the ground. Soon the black figure had his hands wrapped around Philippi's throat and was slamming his head into the ground each time he tried to fight back. Thank God, thank you Erik!

My gratitude and happiness were short lived though, as the pair grappled on the ground Philippi suddenly got a leg up, literally, and kicked Erik in the stomach. Erik fell back with a strangled breath; hitting his head on a rock then going still as Philippi scrambled away from him and reclaimed his gun. My stomach dropped as Philippi pointed the gun straight at Erik's head.

Anthony seethed, "I don't care what happens, don't you dare move from this spot!"

Suddenly Anthony leapt out from the curtain, knife in hand, and charged towards Philippi. Seeing his attacker coming Philippi turned his gun on Anthony, firing just as Anthony slid to his right and dodged the bullet, but never relinquishing his momentum thrust his blade out once he was close enough.

I gasped and turned my head away as the knife implanted itself in Philippi's left shoulder. Philippi screamed in agony and elbowed Anthony in the jaw then shoved him to the ground. Anthony hit the ground rolling and sprung back to his feet in no time.

Philippi yanked the knife out of his shoulder and threw it in the lake, leaving him with a gun and Anthony empty handed.

Philippi laughed as he looked at Anthony, who stood stock still, "A six-shot Revolver, I've shot four bullets already. Let's see, I can shoot you first and as long as the Opera Ghost gives me no more trouble then I can always use...shall we say 'persuasion' to get Hailey to return with me." As he said that he clicked the chamber in place, and chuckled darkly, "So long, Monsieur Baudin."

Anthony closed his eyes and waited while I turned away, not wanting to see him die. Philippi fired a shot but I heard him scream as he did, my head snapped back to where he was and saw that Erica had emerged from the bedroom and was currently on Philippi's back, biting his ear.

Philippi dropped the gun and Anthony took the opportunity to dash away while he was occupied, retrieving me from behind the curtain and moving me towards an exit. Erica seemed okay for a minute or two, but suddenly Philippi rushed towards the lake then grabbed Erica by her arms and threw her over his head into the water.

Erica hit the water with a shriek, putting distance between the two before coming up for air. Philippi clutched his now bleeding ear and screamed, "Erica?! What has gotten into you, you're in league with them? They're devils!"

Erica spat some of Philippi's blood out of her mouth as she panted, "I'm not going to let you hurt my best friend, and if you want to kill someone you're going to have to kill me first."

Philippi stared at Erica for a moment before going after her. Erica's eyes widened in surprise but she quickly dove into the water, out of sight.

I rushed towards the water but Anthony grabbed my wrist in a vise like grip. He pulled me away and back to the center of the room saying, "Think this over. Erica can handle herself in the water, but if you go in defenseless then we're all trapped."

I nodded as Anthony picked up Philippi's gun. Right before Anthony clocked the gun I heard someone start to cough and choke. I turned and saw Philippi holding Erica around the neck, in a chokehold.

"Hold it right there, Baudin." Philippi panted.

"Anthony sh-...shoot him!" Erica choked as she futilely struggled to shimmy out of his hold.

Anthony had the gun in his hand and was about to point it at Philippi when he tightened his hold on Erica, and I swear I saw her eyes roll in the back of her head for a second. Anthony saw the distraught look on my face and lowered the gun as Philippi began to walk Erica up to shore.

I was about to attack Philippi with everything I had when I saw a gleam in Erica's eyes. She has a plan.

Philippi chuckled as he came to the edge of the water, "Drop the gun or...well I think you have a pretty good guess about what I'll do."

Anthony sat the gun down then kicked it over to Philippi, an evil sneer the only thing showing his anger. Philippi picked up the gun and smiled, "One bullet left. Pity, but at least I can rid this world of a vermin like you."

I stood in front of Anthony with my arms raised, refusing to move. I wasn't going to let this sadistic bastard win. One bullet and it did not have Anthony's name on it. I wouldn't let it.

Philippi tsked at me, "Do you really think-"

"Now Erik," Erica screamed before Philippi could finish, quickly slamming the back of her head into his.

Philippi loosened his hold on her, giving her just enough leeway to wiggle out of his grasp. Just as Erica was released Erik emerged out of the murky water, his black clad limbs wrapping around Philippi's neck and pulling him down under the water.

Erica ran towards us and grabbed the back of her head, "The things I do for you."

I laughed at that, but when I did a bolt of pure pain shot through my chest. My laughter stopped short and I gasped. Anthony and Erica both looked at me but I shrugged, "I'm fine."

They observed me a moment more before returning their gaze to the lake. Erik's head popped up and he panted for air. He gave Erica a pointed nod and she nodded right back, exclaiming, "The siren has sung."

"Oh good Lord," I said. "That was another book reference wasn't it?"

Erica laughed but then cut her laughter short as well, clutching the side of her head. She brought her hand down then whispered, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news but...Erik I think you should make that tea now...and fast."

I glanced at Erica's hand and it was covered in blood. Erik noticed as well and dashed for the kitchen while Anthony grabbed Erica and sat her down with me kneeling beside her. He reclined her head back against his chest and pressed on the re-opened wound to try to clot the blood once again. He groaned at her, "What is it with you and your head? Are you trying to crack your skull?"

I snorted, "You're preaching to the choir Anthony. I don't think she'll ever crack that thick skull of hers. If years of basketballs, footballs, and soccer balls being kicked at close range do not faze her, nothing will."

"Oh shut up," Erica laughed as she playfully hit me on the stomach.

However light the tap was, the pain was immediate, and I fell on my back with a gasp. I grasped my chest and noticed it was getting harder to breath and I felt dizzy all of a sudden.

Anthony cursed under his breath, "Erica, keep your hand here and a tight grip on that clothe." Erica nodded then Anthony turned to me, "Hailey, what's wrong? Where does it hurt, what happened?"

I pointed to the center of my chest as I gasped; the pain was beginning to heighten. Anthony looked closely at my dress before touching the center of the fabric then bringing his fingers closer to his face for inspection. His eyes widened slightly, "Hailey, ignore decency for a moment."

Anthony grabbed the straps to my dress and ripped them, pulling my dress down, but making sure I was still covered in the important places. I noticed Erica slowly lean over and pick something up off of the ground before returning to her original spot.

Anthony touched the center of my chest while I wasn't paying attention and I screamed bloody murder when the pain caught up with me.

"Damn it! Erik, hurry the Hell up with that tea!" Anthony shouted as he held me up in an angle, I didn't know what he was doing but my breathing came a little easier thanks to that.

I caught my breath long enough to gasp, "What...hap-...happened?"

Anthony was about to answer when Erica called his name. Anthony turned and Erica held the revolver with the chamber open. All six bullets were gone.

Anthony gulped and squeezed my hand, "You were shot, it must have happened before he was pulled under, and we didn't hear the shot being fired. Your sternum is shattered, that explains the labored breathing...and if you don't stay still and get out of this body soon you will die. Your lungs and heart could be punctured by the shards at any moment, please try to keep your breathing even, no matter how much it hurts, and don't let your heart rate accelerate."

I felt like crying, I have never been so scared in my life. Anthony squeezed my hand again, trying to reassure me as Erica scooted to sit beside me. She smiled at me, patting my hand as she leaned her bleeding head against my shoulder.

There was a moment of silence before she said, "I wonder what happened with Christine and Erik."

I shook my head, "We're fatally injured and you're still the ever devoted Phan? You are not normal."

Erica shook her head, "I never said I was. Normal is overrated anyway; being weird is a lot more fun."

I smiled at her as I shoulder bumped her, "You dumb goofball."

Erik returned with two glasses in his hands saying, "It will take a little more than ten minutes to work. It is not as strong as it could be."

Erik nearly dropped the glasses when he caught sight of us. Erica had a bloody rag wrapped around her head, clutching at her head with a blood soaked hand and I was bleeding through a hole in the center of my chest while wheezing out harsh breaths.

Erik handed Anthony a glass and nodded towards me, then kneeled down next to Erica and pulled her into his lap, pushing the glass to her lips. Erica looked reluctant but quickly chugged a few mouthfuls before pushing the glass away, "God, that's vile!"

I winced at the glass, now I had to drink the apparently 'vile' drink. To Hell with it! Anthony tilted the glass and let me drink while I did the same thing Erica did, chugging as much as I could and as quickly as I could.

I finally pulled away, deciding I couldn't stomach anymore of it. I coughed then leaned up against Anthony while a sudden tiredness began to take over my body.

Erik pulled Erica closer to him and repositioned the cloth that had fallen out of her limp grasp. She looked up at him and smiled; he slowly smiled back then said, "So, why exactly did you do what you did during the Opera?"

Erica pushed her eyes open and reached for Anthony's hands, putting one to her head and the other to Erik's. All three seemed to stiffen then slowly relax as the seconds ticked by.

Erik was the first to pull back, looking furious. Erica followed suit, and Anthony simply pulled his hands back to his sides and returned his attention to me. Erik's nostrils were flaring and he was breathing heavily while he simply stared intently at Erica.

She fidgeted a bit then said, "Don't be mad, now you understand why I couldn't tell you before. At least everything turned out all right in the end, I mean Christine-"

Erik held up his hand for her to be quiet, and for once, Erica listened. Erik calmed himself then sighed, "Thank you. Thank you for everything you both have done for me, I wasn't exactly the easiest person to get along with, and knowing what I know now, I see why you two did what you did. I just wish it had turned out better for you two."

Erica beamed, "The Phantom of the Opera just thanked me, I mean, us. Best. Day. Ever."

Erik chuckled then kissed Erica lightly on her forehead.

Erica's eyes closed and she sighed, "Erik?"

"Hmm?" He said.

"It's okay if you say no, but...will you sing to me, please?"

Anthony and I stared at Erik, giving him a look that said, 'If you don't fulfill this simple request we're going to kick your butt!'

Erik nodded slowly, "Of course I will...any requests?"

Erica shook her head as her hand reached for Erik's, Erik looked uncomfortable but trudged on through his discomfort,

"Child of the wilderness, born into emptiness;

Learn to be lonely; learn to find your way in darkness.

Who will be there for you-, comfort and care for you?

Learn to be lonely; learn to be your one companion.

Never dreamed out in the world, there are arms to hold you;

You have always known-, your heart was on its own-!

So laugh- in your loneliness, child of the wilderness;

Learn to be lonely, learn how to love life that is lived alone.

Learn to be lonely!

Life can be lived, life can be loved...alone-."

Erica smiled, "Definitely Ramin Karimloo. You are the twenty-fifth Anniversary made over."

Erik sighed with a slight chuckle, "What are you talking about now?"

Erica giggled, "The first night I came here, I couldn't decide which Phantom you were. Now that I've heard you sing, I know."

Erik regarded Erica strangely, "You are a strange one."

Erica laughed then shut her eyes for a moment before saying, "I hope you and Christine have a long and happy life-...together." The last word Erica said was a bit slurred and I saw her head fall to the side.

She was still breathing, so I knew she wasn't dead, then all of a sudden her breathing stopped and her body began to...evaporate. As if she was never there. Eventually Erik's arms were holding nothing but the empty air, and he looked to Anthony and I.

Anthony held me tighter and I tightened my hold on his hand as I felt myself drift. Anthony leaned down and kissed me as my eyes fluttered shut, wishing I could force them open and say good-bye.

Anthony broke the kiss and leaned down to my ear and whispered, "I love you...good-bye."

I smiled slightly, "Anthony, I...lo-" I tried to force the word out but it was no use. I couldn't feel my body anymore, everything was swirling around me and I felt like I was falling.

Oh, I'm evil aren't I? Well, sorry but unless I wanted this chapter to be too long I had to stop it there. Oh, I'm going to cry! The next chapter is the VERY LAST CHAPTER! I've had so much fun writing this story, and I don't want to stop. I do have good news though; I have a couple of good ideas for a new POTO story, so in the last two reviews I want you to vote:

Dark or light.

Just type that in a review and I'll tally them up and get to typing A.S.A.P.

Till next time,

Phan3145