Here's your 27th chapter. Please enjoy. (Also, lately I haven't been getting a ton of reviews, it'd be a blessing to have more. I'm trying to beat the review count on the other fanfic people somehow like. Seriously, I wrote that a long time ago I don't understand why it's still so popular.)

Don't cry...don't cry...*wipes away tear*

Chapter 27

"Sadie, I'm going to attempt at making dinner again," I called from the kitchen.

She laughed before covering her mouth. I turned and glared at her, and the light brunette smiled kindly.

I smirked, "Well, it looks like you're asking for that horrible soup your sister likes to make so much."

Sadie's smile fell. She dropped the book from her hands and folded them tightly, "Please no! Anything but that!"

"Hey! I can hear you!" Alice snapped from the bathroom, the shower head almost drowning out her voice.

Sadie and I laughed, and I winked at her as she gave a sigh of relief. Relaxing back into the couch, she watched me open the fridge and peer in, not knowing what to take out and cook with. I was still trying to master it, but...some things were harder than others.

"Could you make mac and cheese? Yours is really good." she asked.

I sighed, rolling my eyes, "Sadie, we had that yesterday. You really want it again?"

She excitedly nodded, leaning up a bit to show she really did want it again. This girl, honestly. In defeat I admitted to making more, to which she cheered with a fist pump before picking up her book and making sure her page was marked.

"I'm going to go out and read outside, okay?" Sadie said as she headed towards the door.

"Have fun." I didn't even watch her leave, just continued digging around the cupboards for the damn box of cheap macaroni and cheese.

Sadie closed the sliding glass door after her, pausing to let the warm breeze brush back her hair. The sun was nearly setting, almost six thirty in the afternoon. The sky was slowly getting darker, now a calming mix of purple, pink and yellows. Sadie sat down and opened her novel, continuing to where she left off.

While she read, her mind would at times drift to thoughts of Sandman. She hasn't seen him in a while, but knew he's kept his promise of visiting by the amount of good dreams she's had. He continued to see her even as she slept. She grinned to herself as she flipped a page to the next chapter, almost laughing at a memory that teased her mind.

A few days before, Sadie thought it would be amusing to play a trick on Sandy when he came in that night. She stayed up past her bedtime when she usually fell asleep herself, long after Alice and I had gone to bed and the house was still. The only light was the nightlight she kept from her childhood, still dimly lighting her room in a pinkish hue. Just as she saw the faint glow of gold touch her window, she quickly burrowed under the covers and shut her eyes tight, pretending to be fast asleep.

Sandy phased through the window, watching his footing as to not trip his way into her room. Once he gracefully landed onto the carpeted floor, he turned his gaze to see a 'sleeping' Sadie. With a content sigh and a faint smile, he walked over to her and crouched near the bed, watching her sleep and breathe softly.

She was so pretty...she looked so peaceful. Sandy always liked seeing people sleep. It made them look innocent, like angels. Sadie had a hint of a smile ghosting her rosy lips, and her delicate hands curled tightly into the soft pillow under her. Her thick lashes dusted her cheeks, a tint of a blush there as well.

His hand gently grazed her cheek lovingly...when Sadie jolted towards him with her eyes open, whispering a, "Boo!"

Sandy opened his mouth in a silent shout at that, and foolishly covered Sadie's face with his hands to protect him, making Sadie laugh behind his fingers. Sandy, realizing it was a joke, smiled at that.

That wasn't cool, he gave her a playful pout.

"Sorry," Sadie whispered, leaning up and kissing his nose, "I couldn't help myself."

Pitch's antics are definitely rubbing off onto you. I can tell. Sandy laughed at seeing Sadie wink in pride.

With a smile, Sandy softly kissed her. She kissed back, tugging him to the bed to curl up close to him. His arms wrapped around her protectively, taking his lips from hers and kissing her forehead and her cheeks, then resting his chin on the top of her head.

"I love you, Sandy," Sadie sighed.

I love you more.

Sadie smiled at that memory as she shut her eyes, relishing the thought of Sandy's gentle love. He was so careful with her, loving and soft. She liked being treated like a princess by him, how he would treat her so delicately and with grace. It made her feel special, that he considered his own touch to be warm and gentle to her. She couldn't ask for a better Devout.

The last rays of light from the sun faded away into dark navy blues and purples, stars barely sprinkling across the sky. Not a cloud was to be seen within miles. Sadie finished her chapter before standing up, but a sudden chill ran down her spine.

She felt eyes watching her back.

She knew the exact feeling when someone was staring at her. She gained that ability due to school, since she always hung out with the 'misfits' and 'geeks'. She would wear what she found to be what she loved but others thought strange, and she knew when people stared at her and whispered. She grew used to it...but it wasn't normal to feel eyes from the edge of the forest.

She turned around, and was surprised to see her standing there, a benevolent smile on her face.

"You…" she breathed, shocked at her unpredicted return.

"Hello, Sadie," Misery greeted, tilting her head to the side.

Sadie looked behind her shoulder and peered into the glass door, seeing Alice and I talking. Her sister looked concerned about something, and I continued to talk before rubbing my face in what resembled close exhaustion and worry. She turned back to Misery, bit her lip and then cautiously walked down the patio steps towards the spirit.

"It's been awhile...you're not here to...you know-" Sadie started, now standing in front of her.

Misery shook her head, "No. I don't plan on taking anyone's misery today. I just thought of visiting...and sending my regards."

Sadie noticed the spirit was older than she last saw her, when she was nine years old. Maybe ten, her memory of the incident was shaky. She remembered Misery tormenting Pitch, and he grew so angry at her he attacked her. She remembered feeling empty and cold, just as she felt now. More whole than before, but...Misery's presence alone still had it's power.

"My, have you grown," Misery extended a hand, noticing Sadie freeze at the sudden touch of clammy, dead skin, "You're so beautiful, like I was when I was human. You look...so much like your mother."

She couldn't respond. If Misery wasn't who she was and was her greatest fear, she would have slapped her hand away and shirk away. Misery's compliment sounded completely backhanded.

"So beautiful...life just courses through your veins, doesn't it? Your very own heartbeat keeps you alive and well, so rosy and pretty."

"Misery, why are you really here?" Sadie looked up at her flatly, not wanting another fight.

Sadie knew that if I saw Misery touching her, I wouldn't be afraid to kill her. She didn't want anyone to get hurt, even Misery herself. Out of the goodness of her heart she urged Misery to leave before I saw her, for her to escape. Misery only smiled and touched her shoulders with both hands, and Sadie saw something glint on her hip, but was distracted when Misery pulled her into a hug that creeped her out, a hug most humans would avoid.

"Oh, dear sweet Sadie...I'm here for revenge," she pulled away, but still had a tight grip on the now terrified fifteen year old, "My spirit is dying...and this will be my final moment I vowed before I disappear for good."

"SADIE!"

Both girls turned and saw Alice and I standing on the patio, Alice's scream of her sister's name echoing throughout the air. I glared at Misery, holding a sword in my hands, ready to slay her where she stood. North knew I needed protection now that my nightmare abilities were diminished, which is how I acquired one. Never have I thought I needed it until a few days before now, when my senses told me an omen was to come...and I was right.

Misery giggled as she whipped Sadie around and held her against her chest with a strong arm that held her face, her fingers digging into her cheeks. Sadie's terrified eyes met mine, wide and with so much fear it still gives me nightmares today.

"Let go of her, before I kill you where you stand!" I shouted, stepping onto the grass, but stopped moving towards her when Misery's grip tightened around Sadie's face. I was afraid her nails would cause her to bleed.

"Silly Pitch," Misery's chilling voice rang down our bones, "Did you forget? I swore I would repay you for your foolishness in your cruelty to me, and now I plan to do just that before my time is up."

"What does she mean by that?!" Alice demanded, looking at me with horrified eyes.

Continuing to stare straight at Misery, I said coolly, "Misery was supposed to be dead centuries ago. But she would take humans that recently died and use them as vessels in order to live. But she was foolish, because the more vessels she used, the more her spirit diminished. She's near the end of her life...and I'm about to finish it!" I grit my teeth in pure hatred.

Misery's smile fell to an unamused frown. Silence fell around the four of us, fear choking up what words were supposed to be spoken.

"A-Alice…" Sadie cried, "P-Pitch...I'm...I'm sca-"

That's when I saw the blue blade protrude from Sadie's chest, right where her heart was. Sadie's mouth opened in a silent scream, her body jerking forward with the motion of the blade. A gentle smile spread across Misery's face, almost reaching her ears in glee that Alice was now screaming in horror and I was so petrified I dropped the sword, unable to even shout myself. All I heard was my own heartbeat and a high pitched ringing. My legs felt like jelly, watching Sadie's legs give out and fall to her knees as Misery gently let her down.

Just as she was about to let go, a sudden bolt of light erupted from Misery's chest. Sadie's body shook violently when she forced herself to turn around and see what the bright light was. Alice's screams were paused at the sudden golden light…

It wasn't her spirit dying. That wasn't the light of her spirit...that was a blade.

Misery's eyes widened in shock that it wasn't me who brought her to the downfall. Her eyes slid over to Alice, a look of utter sorrow in her glassy eyes.

"I...regret…"

The blade withdrew sharply, and Misery's eyes rolled as her body fell to the ground, blue blood pooling from her open wound. A soft blue light lifted from her body, like levitating water. Her soul. It dissipated into the darkness without uttering a sound, and soon, her body disappeared as well...leaving no trace but an imprint of dead grass where her body hit the ground.

Sandman stared at the now dead grass spot, breathing heavily. Dropping his dreamsword, he knelt down to Sadie and held her body close, trying to put pressure on the wound. Alice and I regained our senses and sprinted over to her and Sandy, kneeling around her.

Alice sobbed as she touched Sadie's head, brushing away hair and caressing her face. Tears fell from her cheeks onto her younger sister's forehead and nose. Sadie's skin was becoming pale from the amount of blood being lost...her breathing becoming shallow.

"S...Sandy?" Sadie's hand touched his mouth gently, noticing his tears.

I'm here. Don't speak, Sadie. We're all here. Sandy's tears fell onto Sadie's own face.

She sadly smiled, "Good...I like it when you're all here…" she turned towards me.

"She...she said this was...revenge." she softly said, now moving her hand to grasp Sandy's that covered her wound.

All of us could tell she was in pain. She was dying…

This was Misery's punishment for us. This was her vengeance. She was supposed to only get at me...but she destroyed Alice and Sandy along with me. She knew Sadie meant so much to us. She knew Sadie was the last remnant of her parents...of her family. So she vowed to take it away.

"This isn't f-fair," Alice wept, bowing her head so her forehead touched Sadie's, "I thought I would die before you...not like this. I thought it would be when we're old and-and-"

"Shh, Alice," Sadie choked back tears, "I'm thankful it wasn't any of you...I wasn't lying when I said I'd give my life for you guys."

She grew quiet. The only noises were the sound of whimpering and sobs, and the wind rustling the trees around us. Sadie's grip on Sandy's hand tightened, closing her eyes.

A hand touched my shoulder. I didn't want to look. This was all my fault...Sadie's going to die because of me. I can't live with that guilt…

The hand tightened on my shoulder to the point it hurt, causing me to look up. Sandy looked desperate, but...there was a spark of hope in the depth of his eyes.

I can save her.

Alice looked up at him, the same hope that glimmered in his eyes took over hers. She grabbed his hand and begged him through sobs, "Please! She can't die!"

Sandy stared at her, gulping. It was at that moment I knew what he meant...and what he was committing to do...was something no one can take back.

"Sandy," he looked at me, "You do realize she….she won't be human...right?"

Alice's crying lessened in shock at that. Sandy and I looked back at her for confirmation, some sort of signal that she would agree to her sister no longer being mortal. If Sadie were to live, she had to become a spirit, combined with Sandy's powers to be at his side in duty...it may not be something she would want, but she had to live.

"Why are you staring at me?! Just do it!"

"But Alice-" I started.

"Do it!" she screamed, watching with fearful eyes as her sister's chest moved up and down slower….and slower.

Sandy immediately reacted out of fear. His hand pressed against Sadie's chest, her hand still lying on top of his. Sandy closed his eyes tightly, concentrating.

Within seconds, a dull glow began throbbing where her heart lay. The dim yellow light began to pulse brighter and brighter, almost shining through both their hands.

As strands of golden sand began to curl into the air and touch Sadie, like the branches of a willow tree, I gently touched Alice's back. She no longer cried loudly, but bit her hand to hold back more tears. Her wet cheeks glistened in the light of the dreamsand. She leaned into my touch, never tearing her eyes from her beloved sister.

...Our sister.

The dream strands danced around her, swirling in the breeze that began to pick up with the movement of Sandy's power. Dreams formed from the strands, showing quick images of Alice and Sadie's parents, her grandmother, her friends, her home...even us. Sandy's face was sprinkled among the dreams, along with the visuals of vast beaches, Santoff Claussen, large trees in a proud forest, and the rushing rivers of streams she played in.

The dreams slowly disappeared, and the strands melded into Sandy and Sadie's hands, right over her heart.

The light dimmed….the pulsing glow faded away…

Sadie looked like she was asleep, as if the dreams that were shown to us were right behind her eyelids. Her pained grimace melted away, her eyebrows unknotted into relaxation. Her hand limply dropped to her side, her knuckles grazing the grass as she lay in Sandy's lap.

Alice leaned up, waiting for the indication that her sister was alive...or still dead. She dreaded that last thought, as did I.

I must bring her back to the Island. She will rest there.

"Sandy-" I started, but Alice beat me to it.

"Why not here? This is her home." Alice's crying ended, but remaining tears continued to fall.

She wiped them away stubbornly as Sandy sighed, standing up with Sadie cradled in his arms securely. Her head was nestled in the crook of his neck, her long braid draping over her shoulder.

Alice...she's going to be a spirit. She's joined by me, sharing the duties of mine as well as who I am as a being. She has to be at the Island in order for the ritual to be complete.

Alice bit her lip and looked down, angry at herself. Immediately I wrapped an arm around her, but she shook me off.

"I'm sorry. I just need space right now...this is…" Alice's voice was strained.

I knew what she meant. She was finding it hard to accept Sadie's new place, her new life. I was, too. The reason I became mortal was for them, and now Sadie's no longer that. Knowing that Sadie will never age into her elder years like Alice and I will, or get married or have kids...go to college and finish high school...What is Alice going to say to her friends at her sudden disappearance? How will she explain it to her grandmother or the school?

"Sadie's life is...is over, isn't it?" Alice looked up at me, hurt.

I shook my head, "No. It's just beginning. The ritual doesn't often happen unless the spirit life is written in their destiny…"

"So she would've become a spirit anyway?" she looked at Sandy, who shook his head slowly.

"Only if the Devout wills it." I murmur, sadly watching Sadie's breathing. She was, thank the stars above. But it wasn't fast enough to be considered fully well.

I need to take her now, Sandy looked at Alice, ashamed, before the time is up. I'm...I'm sorry it had to come to this.

Alice touched Sandy's cheek, the tears returning once more, "Sandy, you saved her. I told you to do anything, and you did. Because she's alive, I owe everything to you...Can I come to this Island? I want to be there when Sadie wakes up."

I looked down once Sandy timidly shook his head before saying, Humans can't come to the Island of Sleepy Sands. The entire island is crafted out of my dream sand, it'll instantly put them to sleep. They won't wake up until they've left the island. Sadie will be unaffected.

Alice took her hand away from his cheek, casting her eyes downward. She was disappointed greatly. But she knew what must be done.

"Once she wakes again, you have to promise to bring her back." my own voice came out strongly, as if angry.

Alice glanced at me, and then nodded at Sandy. Sandy continued to look at me, words crossing his golden eyes that I could not read.

"She is...like Alice, the light of my life. She's the daughter I've never had." My throat was closing up from the emotion welling up inside me...I hated it.

A faint smile crossed Alice's lips at my words, wringing her hands in worry. Sandy stared for a while longer before nodding.

I know.