So, thanks to the blizzard sweeping Northeast America, I didn't have class today, which meant no exam until Wednesday! So, today I've been doing Homework, but to celebrate the occasion, I thought I'd post a new chapter. The next one is kind of slow in coming, but it'll be together by Friday!

Chapter Thirty-two

Present- Nora's POV

It was the worst pain I'd ever suffered through in my life. Who ever thought that the worst pain I'd ever feel in my life would be dealt by a human?

When Elliot left the hospital room, I felt an uncomfortable sensation, like a bee sting on my arm. When I tried to reach for it, my arm felt heavy. Slowly, I lifted the arm with the sting. It suddenly inflamed into something akin to a lighter on my skin. I looked at my arm, and I saw the skin begin to turn an ugly starched color. My eyes widened, and I tried to call for help, but all I could let out was a tiny screech. The heart monitor showed my heart beating faster and faster with my panic, and it only made the pain worse. Where were the nurses?!

Hours later, I was writhing in my own blood. It could be compared to many things. Swords carving my skin away. Needles being stabbed into my pores. My body being ripped apart. Hellfire. All of those combined. I couldn't breathe without choking on throw-up, blood, and eventually what felt like my insides. My heart was beating slowly, yet it felt like with every beat I'd feel the sharp pain again and again. Whenever my eyes popped open, all I could see was a blood red haze.

I kept wishing for death. Over and over, I wished that I would just get it all over with. At first, I called out for Patch. I called for Patch, and then I called for my mom. After a while, I couldn't even focus enough to call for them. All I could do was pray for death. The pain covered every thought, driving out any logic or sense. It didn't even fade towards the end. The last time I opened my eyes, I glimpsed Patch staring at me with concern pouring from his eyes. Then it hit me. It was enough for me to realize why I was suffering.

I deserved it. If I hadn't gone behind his back, tried to make a deal around him, I wouldn't be in the situation I was in. It was the final insult to injury, and I lost it. I couldn't remember anything after that. Death had been the best relief I'd ever experienced. It wasn't until it was over, and I was relaxing in limbo, that I realized all of what had occurred.

I was dead, and everyone was waiting for me back on the other side. I was Nephilim, so I knew I'd return. Yet, for an odd reason, that fact wasn't weighing on me the way it should have been. In fact, I didn't care too much. I was curious about where I was. I was floating, the sky around me a light baby blue, and there was a comfortable wind blowing. I almost didn't want to leave, and I stretched my arms and legs.

"Lookin' worse for wear, Grey."

I started, and swiveled around.

Scott!

He floated there, perfectly at ease. I flew into him, holding him tight.

"I saw what all happened down there. Pretty rough. Thought you were smarter than that, Grey."

I punched him in the arm, and he laughed. The joyous tone of it made me smile. I'd missed that laugh.

"Do you hear me? When I thank you?" I pled, holding his hands.

"Every time. It was an honor." He said solemnly. I began to tear up in relief, and placed my head back in his chest.

"How long do we have?" I asked. He rubbed his chin.

"Well, time is weird here. To be honest, it doesn't exist really. In your case, you could wake up minutes or months later."

I blanched at the idea of being stuck for months in a coma. I supposed, though, that if I got to spend time with Scott it'd be okay. He looked up, seeing someone approach, and I turned.

"Am I late? She's still here right?"

A girl with caramel skin and long dark hair approached me quickly. I hadn't realized that a floor had appeared, and we were standing on it. She was breathless when she stopped in front of me.

"I was so worried you'd gone back already! You're Nora Grey, right? Ooooh, I've been watching y'all! It's like a soap opera! Anyway, I'm so glad Patch has found somebody; you're so perfect together!"

She said all of this with one breath. I stared at her, questioning.

"Um…" She smacked her head when she saw my confusion.

"Don't pass out from excitement," Scott teased her.

"I'm so sorry. Let me start over." She held out her hand. "I'm Ella. I'm one of Patch's old friends. We met before you were born. Nowadays, I sing with Scott; that's how we're friends!" When I shook her hand, she seemed satisfied, and shifted into a calm, solemn state.

"Can you tell Patch something for me?" she asked, looking firmly at me. "I need you to tell him that I'm not upset with him. He did well, and it's not his fault."

"Why would you be? What happened?" I asked. She smiled sadly.

"He holds much regret over my death. He was like my older brother, you know? He thought that, when I died, that he didn't do his job. That he wasn't protecting me well enough. That's why he's so protective over you; he feels the need to do better. It terrifies him to no end, you know, the idea of losing you. I'm so glad he's found you. You soothe his soul, and make him feel like he's doing something right. You redeem him in so many ways. He loves and appreciates that you see that heart he has, when all anyone else sees is a troublemaker, or a demon. A bad guy. I need you to listen to him, when he tries to speak to you. He needs you to listen. As for me, you'll tell him what I said?"

I was touched by her care of Patch, and her words made me contemplate. "Of course, Ella. Thank you for being there for him."

Ella smiled serenely. "Thank you. I can leave happy now. Scott, don't be late for practice!" With that, she turned and danced out of the room.

"Does she always…"

"Talk a mile a minute? Yep. She's got a good set of pipes for singing, though. I was surprised when she said she knew Patch. He scares the crap out of me, so I can only imagine how she was bold enough to deal with him. Then again, that girl could take on tigers by commanding them to stop." Scott said, laughing softly. I laughed with him.

"He has a soft spot for those he cares about. You just weren't one of them."

He laughed. "True. As for Elliot, you'll be doing the world a favor in ridding it of him. He's a dirty man."

I nodded, firm. "Has he done more than just killing that girl?"

Scott nodded. "He's gotten into a lot of trouble. He's a coward. He works using his medicines and chemicals. He's assaulted women using roofies, and killed other adversaries with other types of stuff. He uses his family's pharmacy. He's smart about it too; makes me think he could have been a scientist if he weren't so crooked."

I was disgusted. "What a bastard."

He nodded, then looked over me. "You'll be all right, Grey. I have faith in that. Give your scary man a chance. Do what you need to do when you get back. Give Elliot an entrance into Hell that he can't ignore."

He stepped away from me, and I felt the ground underneath me wobble.

"Scott?"

He smiled sadly. "Be grateful you have another chance. Tell Vee I said hello, and check on my mom for me, okay?"

Horrified, I reached out for him, but the ground vanished, and I began to fall from the blue sky and into a white light, farther and farther away from him.

I felt my soul slam into my body.

Shocked by the weight, and discomfort, I sensed around me. Turning my head, I saw Vee asleep next to me. On the other side of me, Patch lay asleep. Even in rest, he seemed to be on edge, waiting for something to happen. I smiled. I had returned, and everyone was here for me. Not wanting to wake them, I slowly lifted myself. They both must have been exhausted, because neither of them awoke at the weight shift.

Feeling thirsty, and needing to clear my throat, my eyes widened at the pitcher of water. Problem was, it was across Vee's body. Damn. I didn't want to disturb anyone. Looked like I'd be waiting.

You had quite the experience, didn't you?

Nehemiah's eyes were barely opened, and he hadn't moved at all.

I saw you coming. Angel of Death trick, he said, smiling lightly.

I nodded, and I saw something sparkle on my chest. I looked down, and Patch's necklace lay around my neck. Something shined on it; a pair of angel wings. I gasped quietly.

I lost these when I was little! I was so upset about it!

My dad had bought me the charm when I'd liked them at a jewelry store. There had been an issue, something I could vaguely remember, but when I told him I'd lost them, he always said that I'd been saved by an Angel and that he took those wings to get back home. I wondered at fate. When had Patch found this? It had to be the same wings; they looked exactly the same!

It's a story Patch could tell you. Shall I awake them?

I looked down at Patch's face. He had to have been worried near to death. His exhaustion and devastation showed plain on his face.

It's up to you, Nora. He's been through quite the ordeal, watching you suffer alone. He didn't even want to sleep. It will make him happy to see you, however.

I looked back down at him. I saw some scarred skin on the side of his face, and it disturbed me. I lifted some hair, and the spots continued onto his scalp. I went rigid.

We were ambushed. Elliot shot us all. They'll vanish within a few hours.

I began to stroke his hair and face. Without waking, he lifted his head and placed it on my hand.

"Angel…" he murmured.

It made me tear up in happiness.

No. Let him sleep. He'll awake when he's ready.

Nehemiah went silent, and I could tell he'd gone back to sleep.

I was ready to forgive Patch for anything. I couldn't believe I'd ever questioned coming back home; what would he do without me? We needed to talk, and I needed to beg forgiveness.

It was Elliot I was feeling less than gracious towards. I had to trust that Patch had caught him already, or if he hadn't, he was in the process. Elliot killed me in the most torturous way possible. Nehemiah and Ezra were injured defending Patch. He'd hurt Patch, and that hurt me the most because I knew he could feel every bullet. Every single bullet, all because of me. He could have even hurt Vee as well. These people had become my lifelines; my friends; my lover. He wasn't going to get away with it. I wanted to know why he did what he did, and I wanted him to suffer for everything he'd done. I wouldn't let Patch take him down. He deserved rest. It would be up to me; I'd fight for him this time.

Give Elliot an entrance into Hell that he can't ignore.

While I waited for Patch to awake, I began to plan Elliot's demise.

Read and Review! And you guys are so silly; when I post Past chapters you're like "what's happening in the present?!" when I post Present chapter you're like "what's happening in the past?!" I don't know if the chapters are that good or if anyone's confused or what but it's slightly funny :3