Chapter Five - I'll Wait Here For You

Before any of you get confused, this chapter happens at the same time as Chapter Six. It's actually some of the same stuff, except from different perspectives. So, don't get confused!

And I hope you guys are enjoying these mass updates, because it's hopefully going to die down soon, as my brother may be coming home tomorrow!

Jared glares daggers at me as I kneel down in front of her. I might not seem exactly the same as I did before, probably softer, but if that's what it takes to keep Mina, then I'll do it.

"I'm...Fine." Her gaze keeps darting from me to Jared, as if she can't believe her eyes. Oh, that's right. She probably can't. She saw us combine. She didn't know that we split, and I put him in a mirror. "What was he doing in the mirror?"

"I...Put him there." I try to muster a guilty smile.

She doesn't respond right away. "So he's alive? He's not a hallucination? This all happened?"

I nod, and sigh. "Look, Mina, you could've died. Again. What you need right now is rest." Jared is being smart for once and keeping his mouth shut. We can continue our personal quarrel later.

She looks like she wants to argue, but then Jared speaks up. "Mina, he's right."

Mina sighs heavily. "Fine."

It stings, having her agree with what I asked only after Jared agrees. Is that all I was? Second best? Was I wrong to think I was special to her? Maybe I was just her new Jared since she couldn't have the real him...

I glare at Jared quickly before scooping Mina up, and carrying her back to her room. Once she's resting, I'll handle this stuck up brother once and for all. He needs to be out of the picture. Permanently.

Teague's POV

It's been a day since Jared the Awful arrived. He's been avoiding me, and he's probably visiting Mina any time I'm not there. But I need to know what he's planning to do. I need to stop him. I need Mina to stay.

I'm about to knock on her door before I hear Jared's voice. A small smirk shows up on my face. This is perfect. I'll be able to hear anything he's saying.

"Mina, you can't have both of us. You have to choose."

"I know that, but..."

"But what?"

"I just wasn't expecting to be thrown into this!"

"Is it that hard of a choice? Do you actually have feelings for him?"

No response.

"Come on, Mina! Wake up! He'll only hurt you!"

"He saved my life. Twice."

"He hurts everything he touches, Mina." There's a sigh. "Look, tonight at midnight, I'll be waiting at the doors leading out of the castle. If you meet me there, you'll have chosen me, and we'll leave. We'll run off some place far, far away and start over. If you don't meet me there, I'll have my answer. I won't bother you again."

So he's going to make her choose? Just like that? Anxiety spins me around. How am I supposed to win? She loved Jared first. Probably still loves him, actually. i was always second best. I completely blow the fact that Jared thinks she has feelings for me out of the water. There's no way she does. I see that now.

But one, small part of me holds onto hope. There's still a possibility that she won't choose him. That she'll stay in her room. So I hold onto that piece. I just hope that it's right. But I won't know till tonight.

"I should go. He'll be checking on you soon."

Drat, I didn't think of the fact that Jared would be coming! I quietly snap my fingers, so as to jam the door. That'll give me a few minutes to move away until he comes out. Then I'll go see her.

It's 11:55. It takes around five minutes to get from her room to the castle entrance. If she doesn't come out right now, she won't make it. Then again, Jared will probably hang around, so I can't bank on it. But if it hits midnight and she's still not out, then I'll be happy.

I'm actually on a ledge up near the roof. Dangerous? Very much so. But a very good spying spot. Mina never looks up, so it's not like she'll notice me if she comes out. It's the perfect spot to watch what occurs.

I'm almost ready to give in that she's staying. After all, she would've left by now. But that's when it happens. I hear a creak, and I move my gaze away from counting the cracks in the ceiling to her door. It's opening, and out steps a fully-dressed Mina. She looks both ways, before shutting the door quietly - or as quietly as she can - behind her. Then? She hurries towards the entrance.

I can feel my heart shatter. But it was her choice to make. Not mine. I was second-best anyways.

With a snap of my fingers, I return to my room.

Oh no! D: Is Mina actually leaving Teague? I guess we'll have to see...

~ Dagger