The Last Time Lady

Tricks

Calliope's POV

     "Jack!" I yell, "Why did you come? I told you not to!" He looks at Sabiro and I again.

     "First, why does he have you pinned like that?"

     "So she doesn't escape. I need her. For you. You see, I knew you would come when you realized that I had her." He turns to me. "Well, would you look at that! He feels the same way about you as you do him?" Jack says,

     "Calliope? Is it true?" I'm frustrated right now. I can't beliebe Sabiro just told him that.

     "Yes, Jack. It is. I really wish you hadn't come. Let him kill me instead of you." I turn to look at Sabiro again. "Would you let me up? My arms are starting to bruise from where you're holding them." He releases me. I jump up and run to Jack. I wrap my arms around his neck and he wraps his around my waist. "Jack. I missed you. A lot." He strokes my cheek with one hand. He stops at the bruise.

     "How did this happen?" He turns to Sabiro, "Did you do this?" He looks at me again and runs his hands over my arms and face. "Are you hurt anywhere else?" He touches my head. "You're recovering from a concussion." I grab his hand.

     "I'm okay now, Jack. Okay?" Sabiro clears his throat loudly behind us.

     "Well, this is very touching and all, but I'm afraid the time has come, Jack, for you to die." The guards rush forward and pull Jack away from me.

     "No! Let me go!" Then I feel a cool hand gripping my throat. I gasp.

     "Every time you yell or fight against me, I will squeeze a little bit harder. Got it?" Sabiro's deep voice rumbles in my ear. I have my hand against his arm. I dig my nails into his arm and see blook stream from little slash marks. His grip tightens just a little bit. He murmurs in my ear, "Told you. Now stop." He turns around and walk backwards, with me in tow. "Hook him up." I see a crafty look in Jack's eyes. He quickly stands up and pulls out his weird gun. Within seconds, all of the guards are dead. Sabiro squeezes my neck harder than I would have thought possible. I fight for air, though I know it's useless. I feel a tear drip down my cheek.

     "Jack." I whisper. My vision is going black around the edges. Suddenly, I feel nothing. I hear nothing. Everything is blissful and silent.

Jack's POV

     The second Calliope goes limp in his arms, he flings her to the side like a ragdoll. She slides into the wall and she just lays there. Limp. Unmoving. I am blinded by rage and I throw myself at the man and tackle him. I feel his fist connect with my face and body several times before I stand. I aim my sonic gun at him. He chuckles darkly.

     "Do it. I'm the last of my kind. DO IT!" I close my eyes and squeeze the trigger. He never moved. I run to Calliope.

     "Calliope." I roll her onto her back. "Wake up, darling. Please. I need you." I put my ear to her chest. Nothing. I don't know what to do. I begin to try CPR. Nothing's working. I cradle her on my lap and sit there, rocking her and sobbing. I hear a slight intake of breath. Then another. "Calliope? Wake up. Please." Her breaths are raspy, but she's definitely breathing.

     "Jack?" She whispers, ever so softly. "Jack, is that you?" My tears drip onto her face and clothes. She doesn't seem to mind.

     "Yes. It's me. It's me." She clutches the front of my shirt.

     "Don't leave me, Jack. Promise me you won't leave me." I kiss her forehead.

     "I promise. I promise."