~*~Chapter Eleven : Black Dust~*~
Marty felt as though her life had ended. No matter how she tried to dispel the black cloud of dust which hung as a grim reminder, she couldn't seem to quell the endless agony. Sadly, she felt as though there would be no bright light of happiness in her future. She loved Todd, although she could never have him.
One night, Dr. and Mrs. Saybrooke went on a business trip. While her parents were gone, Marty went into the hall bathroom, the very room where Todd had slit his own throat, and retrieved a bottle of pills. She opened the pills and began to down them. Her throat was dry and she choked. She was taking them so quickly, she nearly inhaled the contents of the bottle.
With tears streaking her face, Marty walked on wobbly legs into her bedroom. The bottle of pills was empty and lying on the bathroom floor. She had consumed the entire bottle.
Precious minutes passed as Marty lay unresponsive upon the bed. She appeared to be barely breathing. The image of Todd materialized beside her. "Marty," he whispered. "What's wrong? WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
Of course, Marty did not answer. She was limp in his embrace as Todd lifted her into his arms. "Wake up, Marty. WAKE UP!" Todd cried out.
He carried her to the bathroom, the room where he had died and placed her in the tub. He crawled into the tub as he cradled her against his chest. "Don't die on me!" he begged.
He splashed water on her face and made her throw up. Again and again, Marty vomited into the tepid water at the bottom of the tub. Todd's tears mingled with her own as she gasped and continued throwing up. He held her in a tight embrace as he choked on his sobs.
Time passed and eventually their tears had dried. "I thought my life was over," Marty whispered, her voice small and raw.
"I promise you it's only just beginning..." Todd said as he lay his head quietly upon her shoulder.