The Poisoned Beatle 2

I Did It To Save You

"Paul!!!" Cried Max. "Stay here, I'll be right back!" Said Amanda. She rushes back into the kitchen and picks up the bottle she poured from, handing it to Justin. "What's that?" Asked Alex. "The bottle I poured from. There's some writing down the bottom, but it's too small." Amanda said. "I'll see if I can read it." Said Justin.

While the oldest Russo tries to read the small writing, Amanda rolls Paul onto his back and cradles him into her arms. He gives her a sad glance.

"Anything yet, Justin?" Asked Amanda. Justin's eyes widen once he finally figures out the small writing. "It's poison." He said. "What?!" Alex said in shock. "Paulie, you knew it was poison all along?" Amanda asked. "Yes." Said Paul through a whisper. "Why did you drink it?" Asked Amanda. "To save you." Paul said.

A sorrowful look appeared on Amanda's face. "But why would you even think about drinking poison anyway?" She asked. "I couldn't just stand by and let it kill my love. You'd do the same for me, wouldn't you?" Asked Paul. "Of course I would, but poison shouldn't be consumed no matter what." Amanda said. "I know, darling. I'm sorry." Paul said as his voice began to get weaker.

"For what? You just saved my life, and I didn't even know it. I should've read the label more closely." Said Amanda sadly. She hangs her head, but Paul lifts it so she's looking at him. "I didn't read it before inadvertently drinking poison last time, but you have nothing to be ashamed of." He said. "Yes I do. If I paid more attention, this wouldn't have happened." Amanda said.

"Paul, how much of that poison did you drink?" Max asked. "My cup was empty after he drank it, so he must've consumed the whole thing." Said Amanda. "She's right." Said Paul. "No wonder it took effect in an instant." Justin said.

"What should we do?" Asked Max. "Guys... he's already cold as ice, and can barely keep his eyes open." Amanda said. "There's nothing you can do for me." Paul said as he speaks barely through a whisper. "Don't say that! We'll do what we did last time, make an antidote!" Said Alex. "More than that, we need to know who even left the poison here." Said Justin.

"Maybe Derek and Odette might know something, let's ask them." Alex said. "That won't work. I was just there before I invited you three over, but it's not a good day for a visit." Said Amanda. "Why not?" Justin asked. "Derek's sick." Amanda said. "Oh no, maybe he drank the poison too!" Max said. "No, Max, he wasn't poisoned. His head was hurting when he woke up and could barely stay awake. Not to mention he also has a stomach virus." Said Amanda.

The Russos exchange a glance. "Gee, we hope he feels better soon." Said Justin. "Odette said it's a mild illness, nothing more." Amanda said. "It's a good thing Derek has a wife like Odette to take care of him." Said Max. "Speaking of taking care, Paul's in worse shape." Said Alex.

Amanda looks back down at her husband, who puts his hand on her face. "You're gonna be alright, I promise." She said. "I'm sorry it has to end this way." Said Paul. His voice is really quiet now. "No, I'm not letting you die!" Amanda sobbed. Just as she said die, Paul took his last breath... and closed his eyes. Amanda catches his hand as it falls. "Paulie!!! Don't leave me! I can't..." She cried.

The Russos watch with sad expressions, and Alex is already crying. Amanda pulls Paul's lifeless body close to her. "You're everything... that is... good." She said before starting to cry. The words the swan princess spoke brought back a very painful memory of when she watched her brother in-law die in her sister's arms a few Christmases ago, even though his death wasn't permanent. And they were Odette's very same words to Derek after she watched him slip away.