Ribcage- Andy Biersack/ Black Veil Brides

Alternative Ending

Author's Note:

Whilst I am sad to see this story come to an end, I would like to happily announce that this is not the end of Delia and Andy's story. There will be a second instalment coming very soon called Saviour II, so please be sure to keep your eyes peeled. I would like to take this moment to thank every single person who has followed the development of this story and who has stuck by it. I have spoken to some amazing people and every like, comment and message has been so valuable to me. I hope to see you all in the second story.

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It had been a week since Delia's disappearance, since finding Delia's phone out in the streets, the police had hit a dead end of the case. No one in the group was dealing well with the waiting around, they were waiting for any sort of update, promising news, a miracle, even an absolution; that never came. Andy was not coping well in the slightest, no one in the group knew what to do, however, Andy had found comfort in talking to Delia's mum. He had phoned her one time apologising to her and blaming himself, of course Tamara knew deep down it was not Andy who was to blame.

"Hello?" Lonny asks after answering his phone; everyone in the group had turned to look in his direction, they were praying it was something good. "Okay, thank you."

"Lonny? What was that?" Andy asks as he watches Lonny's face drop.

"Delia, they found Delia." Lonny chokes out as tears fall down his face.

"That's good right?" Shevy asks trying to be hopeful; but realistically everyone knew how they had found her, they just needed to hear Lonny say it.

"She didn't make it." Lonny continues to cry "They found her in the Seattle ferry landing pier."

"No, no. It's not her. How do they know it's her? Are they sure?" Andy screams through tears as CC instantly wraps his arms around the singer to stop him doing anything erratic.

"We need to go and identify the body to be sure..." Lonny looks down at his feet sadly "But they're confident it's Delia."

"I, erm, I can't. I can't do that." Shevy stutters "I'll erm, I'll stay here and call her parents but I can't go to- I can't do that."

"I'll do it." Jake speaks sadly; the whole ordeal was bring back memories of when he has lost his mother, but someone had to do it.

"You sure Jake?" Jinxx asks; he could tell exactly what Jake was thinking "I'll come with you."

"It's not her, I'm telling you it's not her. The police, they've got it wrong, they've surely got it wrong." Andy continues to angrily shout through his sobs before he completely breaks down and falls to the floor "I never- I never got to tell her properly how I felt. I think I was falling in love."

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Delia's body was able to be transported back to Ohio pretty soon after they had identified her; the police had no reason to perform anymore checks on her and they were more focused on trying to find out who this monster committing these crimes was before another woman could fall prey to them. Shevy and the band travelled to Ohio alongside Delia and were present for the planning of her funeral; the 6 of them also put money forward to help her parents with the cost of it all. But alas, the dreaded day had finally arrived, the day they had to lay Delia to rest.

"Dear Delia." Andy starts trying to keep his tears at bay; standing up in front of everyone next to her coffin was proving harder than any performance he had ever done. "I know I may not have shown it, but you were the best person to have entered my life in a long time. I wish we had gotten more time together and I wish I had told you how I felt sooner, but I know you are always going to be a part of me; I hope that wherever you are now you're safe."

Many tears were shed throughout the service by the band, Shevy and her parents. It was only the 8 of them that attended, Tamara and Nick had explained how they did not have any other family and that it was always just the 3 of them, Delia never did have a close friend circle as she was always so career driven. After the burial the group slowly dispersed, some stayed by Delia's grave to pay their final respect, Shevy was struggling to stay so decided to go get Delia's favourite coffee in her honour and Andy, he went and stood on the side lines of the cemetery; he could not bare the sight of the coffin containing Delia in the ground, but at the same time he was not ready to leave her yet.

"Andy?" Tamara catches Andy off guard slightly "I wish we had met in better circumstances."

"So do I Tamara." Andy nods sadly.

"You know, Delia phoned me a couple of times whilst on tour to tell me about you and ask for my advice, she may not have admitted it fully but I know my daughter; she really liked you a lot." Tamara explains "Whatever happened between the two of you, just know that I hold absolutely no hard feelings towards you Andy. I know you would have pulled through and been exactly what Delia needed. If ever you need us or you find yourself in Ohio, mine and Nick's door is always open for you."

"thank you Tamara, that means so much." Andy smiles sadly as Tamara pulls him close for a hug. Eventually she breaks the hug and walks away just as Nick approaches.

"You know, when I was ill, I would always tell Delia to look for me in my next life as a wolf. It was then Delia decided she wanted to come back as a blackbird." Nick explains trying to bring Andy some comfort "Just look out for the blackbirds, that's what I'll be doing."

Just as Nick walks away, a black bird lands a few feet away from Andy before proceeding to just stare at him.

"Hey Delia." Andy whispers softly to the bird as he watches it slowly tilt its head before flying off again, that's when Andy feels a hand on his shoulder.

"Andy, you going to be okay mate?" Lonny asks "You know me and Rhita are happy to have to stay with us if you ever need it."

"Thanks Lonny, but I think I'm going to be okay." Andy nods as he continues to stare at where the blackbird was just minutes ago.

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Since returning to Ohio, Andy had been staying with his parents and trying to fix his relationship with them; although neither of his parents knew how to help their son with the loss he was going through. Instead, Andy found himself in his room most of the time just staring at the ceiling; not this night though.

His parents had kept the electric keyboard in his room and that night he had found himself sitting at it bashing notes, trying out chord progressions and playing on words in his song writing journal he had. After a few hours, Andy stared down at the words and chords he had put together and he felt satisfied.

"I'm not one to believe in Heaven or Hell." Andy starts conversation with himself whilst hoping Delia could hear him "I just hope that wherever you are, you're safe now. I meant every word I said earlier and I am so sorry I couldn't protect you. You have changed me in more ways than one Delia Grace Vincent, I could never forget you after that. To prove it, I wrote you a song. You became such a big part of the group and I know we're all going to miss having you around, but now you will always have a place in Black Veil Brides."

Andy shakily takes in a deep breath, his hands find the keys of the keyboard and he starts playing beautifully arranged notes before singing equally as beautiful lyrics to dedicate to Delia.

"Hold on to hope, take back your soul, and they cannot steal the light that shines from who you once were. You're blood and bones left in the cold, so just look into the sky and you'll become the blackbird."