Twelve had faced terror a countless number of times, but it had never been like this. Death had been a constant shadow on him. He had never faced symptoms like Nine had, but he had felt the presence all the same. It was something he had been forced to grow comfortable with. Death wasn't so much as scary as a certainty.

But now Nine was barely holding onto life, shaking like a leaf. It was too much for Twelve to bear; he couldn't even look at his brother. That was enough to turn his world upside down, but somehow things had gotten even worst.

She looked so pale and small in the hospital bed, like a porcelain doll that had accidentally been dropped. He still couldn't believe it had happened. One second they were all standing, and the next he found himself on the group and Lisa on top of him bleeding out.

The heart monitor beeped on and on, but Twelve could only think how it felt like the ticking of a bomb. His worst fear was coming true. Death would take these two but not him. He was going to be left truly and utterly alone.

Just then, Lisa began to stir, and at the moment, it felt like the world stopped spinning for him. God he had to save her. She was the future, not them, why had she thrown it away for him?

He didn't say any of that at all though. Instead he softly stroked her hair while whispering her name as if it was a prayer.

"Twelve?" Pale yellow barely flickered, but thank the Lord it was at least there.

"Don't worry, I'm here."

"Nine?" She groaned, shifting about as if looking for him.

"Calm down. He's alright. Don't worry he's just in a different room. Don't worry." He hoped the lie would be convincing enough. Twelve could barely handle acknowledging Nine's condition, much less telling her about it.

Thankfully she followed his advice, chest rising slowly as she breathed in and out, "Good."

Twelve couldn't help but fidget around. He was bursting with questions to ask; however, he understood this likely wasn't a good time to be asking her. Still he thought at least one question might be able to calm him.

"Why'd you do it?" He couldn't stop his voice from cracking. "A dying mistake like me isn't worth saving."

Lisa sighed, a tired thing that was too ancient for someone as young as her, "It's because of what Nine said."

"Did he say you weren't worth anything?! Did he make you think you were better of dead? I swear-"

"-he didn't," Lisa quietly cut him off, "He talked about chess. Said I was your Queen in it I think…" Her words began to trail off as a flush crept up Twelve's neck. "…and isn't the Queen supposed to protect the King?"

But how am I supposed to go on without you? Losing Nine my knight was a necessity. I've harden my heart since I was eleven and it still hurts like hell. I can't take losing you too? I haven't prepared for this.

He couldn't say any of that though. Her smiles was so soft and fragile, he couldn't break it even when he felt like breaking himself. He just had to pretend to be strong for now. Twelve had already made it far enough doing that.

He squeezed Lisa's hand, "Please don't die."

"I won't…" This time her words faded away completely as she closed her eyes. He almost panicked until he realized the heart monitor hadn't changed.

Just asleep. For now.

"Sphinx?" He looked up to see that Shibazaki enter the hospital room as well, "I was looking for you."

"What do you want?!" His words turned into a growl.

"I don't mean to intrude on a moment-" He gestured to Lisa sleeping, "-however if you have the time, I want to review a few details of the case."

That damn plan. Twelve loved Nine, but lately he had trouble accepting that child of his. He had tolerated it because Nine had been so absorbed, but now that Nine was fading, he wanted to throw it away. What was the use? Why die for a past when you could try to live for as little as you got?

Still his conscience wouldn't let him go on if he let their efforts be for nothing.

"Can we do this later? I need to be by her side."

"And what help would you be here?" Twelve wanted to rip him apart at that, but he continued on in his cool and collected manner. "She knows her job. Can you trust her to carry it out while you fulfill yours?"

Twelve had never been good at trusting people. He trusted Nine and looked at what happened?

He remembered Lisa jumping out of buildings though, of accomplishing more and being braver than most ordinary people would ever be. She had never broken a single promise of hers or wavered from her purpose.

"I guess I'll have to try." Nine didn't believe in much, but he did believe in hope. Maybe Twelve would have to learn to believe in it too. It was all he had left at this point.