The Angelic Paradox

Unspeakable

My heart pounds in my ears as I push open the steel door, refusing to ponder the condition I will find Emerald in. Dead or alive, and if alive, how badly damaged. Nevertheless, no time to think about that now.

I throw the door open to find Sabriel laughing with his back to me and Emerald on the floor. She is clothed in a lime green towel matted with blood. Her eyes are closed, surrounded by bloody tears. She lays twisted in a pool of her own blood. I choke on a sob. I let this happen. I swallow my pain and clear my throat.

"Hello, again, Sabriel."

He spins around and grins, holding out his arms, "Ah, Arty boy. I was wondering when you'd join the party."

I cock an eyebrow, "What's the occasion, O Swab-zies?"

He raises his arms above his head, "The dawn of a new era. My era."

I snort, "Too bad I came to crash your celebration."

"C'mon, Arty," he pouts, "Don't be a party pooper!"

I laugh bitterly, "I believe it's time to bring your 'party' to an end."

Holly appears beside him and cuffs him with the magic blocking hand cuffs.

I chuckle, "So easily outsmarted, Sabriel? Really, how elementary. I can't believe you thought you could beat me."

He snarls at me, "Don't be so cocky, Fowl."

"Me? Cocky? I just can't see it."

Holly snorts.

"I mean it, Fowl. Your girlfriend's dead. Even if you beat me she is gone. D-E-A-D."

I gasp, and stagger backwards. Dead? Emerald is dead? No no no no no. I can't breathe. I blink. What? Tears stream down my face. Dead. No. No no no. She can't be dead. Not my Emerald. Not the smiling, mischievous girl I know. No. She has a family and friends. No. I need her. She can't...no.

"No!" I bellow at him, "No, no she isn't. You...you just are trying to manipulate me!"

He cackles and Holly draggs him from the room. I collapse onto my knees, my head in my hands, "No no no no no no no no," I mutter. I crawl over too where she lay, staining my suit with her blood. I hold her against me, her blood coating my hands, "Emerald, Emerald, please. You can't die. Your friends need you.Callie needs you.Your family needs you. They love you. The world, the future needs you, Emerald. I need you. I love you. Oh gods, I love you so much. Please don't die."

I gasp out sobs, and they drop onto her, mixing with her blood. I hold her against me, shaking with grief.

"Please," I murmur, "Please."

My heart pounds and I am not longer a boy genius. I am a boy who might lose the love of his life. Intellect doesn't matter in this situation. I gasp between sobs that echo from my lips. Emerald lays limply in my arms, her blood oozing onto my pale skin. I beg her to wake between sobs. I tell her I love her over and over. I apologize for letting her do this. I wail at the cieling to forgive me for my villainous deeds and let her live. I plead to trade my life so she can live. I wail at the tops of my lungs, crying hard. She has to live. Please.

She stirs in my arms and moans and I smile through my tears, "Emerald?"

She groans.

Overcome, I bring my face to hers, my lips brushing hers. Electricity buzzes through me. I taste her blood on my tongue. I pull back and hold her head in my hands, "It's going to be alright. Holly can heal you so you are like new. Please just hold on. Oh gods. Please, oh I love you so much, Emerald. Please, darling."

Her mouths twitches and she moans again. I grip her, crying hard, "Holly!" I bellow, not ready to leave Emerald's side. She reaches out a trembling hand and brush the tears from my face.

"I love you, too," she murmurs.