Leave {z.m.}

Fifty Four [The Final Chapter]

One year later...

Zayn's P.O.V.

I had been visiting her everyday, but of course, she had no way of knowing I was there. I know, I could have revealed myself. I should have, but I am also glad that I chose not to. I know, I could have made my presence known. I know, she was in pain. And I know, I was in pain as well.

Being on this side, the side of death, is not as simple as some have made it sound. There are creatures, dark ones, here as well. They are more powerful here, and they amass in greater amounts than one would expect. I, though I must hide it, am frightened. Death is not peaceful, and it is not a perfect escape from being trapped within a clock of briskly passing years and lost memories over time.

There is a way to go back, to relieve myself from this fate that everyone must face, but I cannot accept it. I cannot allow her to bring me back. As I have observed, Adelaide has been gradually changing into something that she is not. Ruthless. Duplicitous. Frequently vexed. Cynical. Bringing me back would only increase that process, as I have stressed previously to her.

Appearing before her whilst she chose to confront Gemma was possibly a terrible idea, but I found that I could not prevent myself from doing so. I missed her so deeply, and it was the only way I could protect her, even if it was rather indirect.

I do not wish to leave her, nor do I wish to stay any longer. This in-between state is dangerous if one remains for far too long, and I believe that I have been pushing my luck. I do not know how to leave her though, and that seems ironic considering my unfortunate past; leaving is what I do best.

How could I ever accept the fact that I must move on without her? Though I would wait forever for her, it would not occur without difficulty. "During at least one particular moment in a person's life, death is mentioned and they fear it. They fear it because it is unknown to them. You have died, twice actually, you know what it's like and you still fear death," Xavier commented, as he listened in on my thoughts.

"This fear is more significant than the fears of the living. They don't know what to expect. I do, I am here now, and I am afraid. It's not safe here, especially because of the breach." My voice softened to a terrified whisper, anxious about speaking of the breach. Xavier's solicitous expression darkened. "Do you want a target on your back?" He questioned in a hushed voice, utterly mystified.

"I should tell her. I should, should I not?" I furrowed my eyebrows as a dispersal of excruciating pain traveled through my hollow body. I could feel all of it, yet it was as if it were covering the exterior of me instead of the interior. "You should," he confirmed, offering a slight nod as he began to turn away. "I do not know if I am capable," I confessed with a crestfallen perspective.

"You have to be."

* * * * *

Rough fingertips of mine caressed her mesmerizing, delicate skin, as iridescent waves of ebony colored hair grazed my shoulders while she stretched her petite figure to wrap her arms around me. "I can feel you," she murmured, lightly kissing my neck. "You are so warm," I sighed, allowing her soothing temperature to soak in. Everywhere and everything has always been chilly and vacant here.

"This has to be quick," I informed her, frowning to myself as I did so. She watched me with those eyes, drawing me into her as if I were under a captivating spell. "Why?" She wondered, gazing with subtle despair. "They cannot catch you here. You are alive, and you need to stay that way for as long as you can," I answered earnestly. She nodded as her gaze fell to her feet.

"After months of you visiting, I never thought I'd be able to do something like this. Crossing over has been relatively rare," she stated with curiosity and sudden zeal, as if she thought she would begin to do this as an everyday activity. "It is dangerous," I apprised her grimly. "I know," she shrugged, brushing off the subject as if it wasn't dire.

"Adelaide." "Zayn." "It is important that you know this. I could not bare leaving again without relaying my feelings regarding us." I watched as her expression plummeted into despondency as the words "leaving again" registered in her mind. This had to be done, and she knew.

"We met one another two years ago when you stumbled upon me, and I could not be more grateful to have met you. You did not change me, but you exposed me for who I truly was. Who I had been hiding for years. You uncovered a vulnerable being, someone who loved you. Someone who still does," I admitted timidly. "Coming back to life after dying is not natural, and I have lived longer than I was meant to. You are so young, beautiful, compassionate, and adventurous. You cannot let those qualities go to waste," I encouraged.

"Live your life without me. Truly live. You will experience wonderful moments, fall in love over and over, laugh until you can barely catch your breath, and embrace life with family and friends. Life is precious, though no one seems to believe that until they are nearly gone," I chuckled quietly and smiled at the divine woman I loved.

"The supernatural world is intriguing and alluring, but I hope that you will stay away from it. This earth was meant for humans. You are human. Be human. Live human. Do what I could not do," I paused and wiped away her tears. "Zayn, don't you see that I need you here?" Her voice cracked as she glanced away from me.

"You don't need me as much as your mind wants you to believe," I responded calmly, smoothing down her hair. "I know that you have to go," she whimpered, "But I won't stop waiting for you." I shook my head and bent my head downwards to press my lips to her forehead, "Oh love, you will one day."

Every second she remained on this side meant another second of her life that she lost in the end, and thinking about that was agonizing. "Adelaide, you have to let me go," I whispered, kissing her cheek. "I don't want to," she replied immediately, but her fingers slipped away from mine. She backed away, stepping carefully. "I will always love you, you know, even if I let go," she swore placidly.

"I know," I grinned, though a weight crushed the motionless spirit of my heart. She was leaving me. Letting go. Beginning the healing process. "I can't kiss you," she declared, as she transitioned to the side of the living. "Why did you do that?" I inquired, feeling surprisingly rejected. "When we see each other again, it'll make that kiss just a little more epic," she teased.

"I love you," I told her as I was reminded of every moment I had denied myself from saying those words. "I'll see you when it's my time," she smiled radiantly, illuminating the darkest corners of this realm.

"You didn't tell her," a muffled voice interjected as Adelaide's shimmering form vanished, suggesting that I had withheld something worth mentioning. "Tell her what exactly?" I countered defensively.

"Gemma is still alive."

_______________________________________

I can't believe this was the last chapter. Oh my god.

As I have always said, thank you thank you thank you to everyone who has given me such helpful advice and comments that have made me smile. I love you! xoxoxo

This is not the last you'll hear from Zayn and Addie! I plan on posting a lil bit of the next book soon.

Please feel free to say hey whenever. I'll keep you posted on details for the next book.

THANK YOU AGAIN AHHHH!

Watch out for Gemma 0_0

-Izzy