Finding A Way Back To Her - Book 2 of Finding A Way Back

7. Tears

Nolan's P.O.V

The 'Dark One' as he calls himself, then disappears in another cloud of smoke, with a smirk on his face. I don't worry about it. He's the only one who can help me right now.

I look at the window and see the kids are coming back inside now. I shove the note in my pocket and go to the bathroom. I'm still shaken from the whole experience.

What did he mean, he had magic? What kind? Is he going to hurt anyone in the process? I wouldn't mind if he hurt Pan, but Joey...

I rinse my face with water and look up at what's supposed to be a mirror. It's still shattered from when I broke it to pieces. I can see dried blood on the shards still in the frame. I look down at my fists. Yep, the scars are still there.

Pan's P.O.V

"Joey!" I scream as I see her go under. I get off my rock and run over to her in the water. The mermaids are laughing harshly, vengeance in their eyes.

I tug at them, peeling a couple off of Joey, but some remain still attached to her. Joey struggles under their weight, turning and seething. But I can tell she's losing it, because with every minute more energy comes out of her. And with every second, she loses more breath.

I then see air bubbles come up from the water. I can't take this anymore.

I take out my hand and freeze the mermaids with an icy blanket of green. I then lunge at Joey, pulling her up from the water. I lay her on the ground, and sit next to her. From what I can tell, she's not breathing.

I never learned how to save lives, only how to take them. I thought I would only need blood, not breath.

"Joey!" I say, taking her stone, frozen hands into mine.

"Joey! Please!" I try to yell, but instead I get a raspy, crackling, cry.

My hands start to shake. My throat starts to dry up. I sit there clueless, because I can do nothing to save her.

Along with my lungs swelling up, I feel my whole body start to collapse. I then feel something I haven't felt in a long time. A tear roll down my cheek. Is this what it feels like to cry? I haven't done it in so long. I hate it.

The tears keep streaming, and her breath keeps running out. I need to say something to her quick.

"Joey. I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for scaring you. I'm sorry for ruining your childhood. I'm sorry for threatening you. I'm sorry for causing Nolan to get mad at you. I'm sorry," the tears are clogging up my lungs, "I'm sorry for not being able to save you."

And with those last words, I know she's gone. I look at her, eyes closed, pale, cold skin. I take one last look at her. Then, I press my lips against her rose-red, frozen ones.

I let one last tear drop, and I get up and walk away. I don't look back. I keep walking. She brought me all this hope, that I forgot.

Villains don't get happy endings.