Vertin x Schneider Reverse:1999

The 'Storm'

CHAPTER TWO, PART FIFTEEN

Vertin could feel herself holding her breath, even though she's experienced the 'storm' time and time again. It's not like this 'storm' will be any different, right? 

"My lady, please take good care of yourself." Mr. Karson said to Sotheby. "You will be a fair lady, Ms. Sotheby." 

"I will do my best! ... But why are you telling me this now?" Sotheby asked. 

The sound of heavy rain thundered on the suitcase.

Sotheby raced to the window to see the rain miraculously floating up into the sky. 

"Woah! Mr. Karson, come quick and look at this!" Sotheby exclaimed as she pointed to the window. 

No reply came to her. 

Vertin could feel her heart sink at hearing Sotheby's cry upon seeing Mr. Karson gone. The only thing remaining left of him was his clothes as if he disappeared into thin air...

"The 'storm' is here," Vertin said solemnly as she lowered her head. 

The refugees started to disappear much like Mr. Karson. 

Sotheby began to sob at the realization of what was happening. 

Schneider's sister, Marian, thanked them for the food. She paused, it was obvious she was trying not to freak out. Her voice began to crack, "Holy Mary pray for us... Holy Mary pray for us..." 

Vertin could see the sadness in Schneider's eyes as her own sister began to disappear in front of her eyes. 

Marian continued to whisper her prayers. 

"Don't be afraid, sis." Schneider said, saying 'sis' in Italian. "Take my hand. Close your eyes... Just like when we were younger..." Schneider took her sister's hand as she began to fade away. "Everything will be fine." 

Vertin looked away, hiding her eyes with her top hat. She didn't want to see Schneider in so much pain. At least... they would have each other after. "Goodbye..." 

Schneider coughed, "My lord..." 

Vertin began to speak in sympathy, "Schneider... I'm sorry. Your family..." 

"No, my lord." Schneider began to speak as she continued to walk closer to Vertin. Schneider ran into Vertin's embrace, holding her tightly. 

Vertin's heart raced in both guilt and at how close they were. The orange fragrance from Schneider was comforting in the stressfulness of the situation. Vertin hugged her tighter, still not realizing the situation. 

Schneider looked up to Vertin, "Hold me." She whispered. 

Vertin held her close, the sudden realization hitting her like the bullet from Schneider's gun.

"I am sorry... I am not an arcanist..." Schneider whispered. 

"What? I don't... I don't understand..." Vertin muttered. Vertin understood well what was happening. Scheider was going to disappear. 

"I always hoped I was lucky... But I think it's time for me to say goodbye now." Schneider said weakly. 

"But you... you have an arcanist skill... and you never ate any gold..." Vertin whispered as she tried to grasp onto any excuse for this to be a trick or just some dream. 

Schneider chuckled weakly. 

"Please... Don't go... We- no, I need you." Vertin's voice cracked and her arms that held Scheider so tight were trembling. 

"You will find many more friends along the way..." Schneider muttered as she looked away. 

"No friend could ever replace you... Schneider... I-" Vertin got cut off by Scheider's weak cough. 

"Goodbye, my lord." Schneider buried her head into Vertin's shoulder. 

It was as if time moved around the two, everyone else seemed to not notice as they all tried to comfort one another. 

Vertin kissed Schneider on the head with trembling lips as tears threatened to pour out. 

"Schneider, I-" Vertin began to speak but got cut off once more. 

Schneider began to fade away. "Don't forget me. Don't forget, my heart beats on the right." Schneider whispered. 

"Schneider, I love you. Please don't leave me." Vertin pleaded, but it was too late. 

Vertin could hear their heartbeats. The two hearts beat quickly in despair. Until there was only one heartbeat.

Vertin could hear her heart beating through her ears. She felt the warm embrace from Schneider going cold. 

She was gone. The only thing left of her was her jacket and trusty gun. 

Vertin picked up Schneider's gun with trembling hands. 

Vertin's heart beat louder, louder until she thought it would fall out of her chest. She held her breath. 

She was having a panic attack. 

Voices called out to her from her friends, but she couldn't hear them. 

She could only hear her thoughts. 

"Schneider is gone. Schneider is gone." She repeated these same words in her head over and over until she fainted.