The Flipsyde

The ending: part 1

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He lifted the gun- aiming towards me and fired.

I wanted to close my eyes- I didn't want to see Isa's reaction as another relationship crumbled away before her eyes. I'm sorry Isa, I thought- considering all the promises I would end up breaking in the next few moments.

However, a flash of light brown cut off my line of sight with the bullet- and I watched in horror as the cursed sound of bone piercing skull filled my ears.

I could do nothing but watch as Isa dropped to the ground- her momentum pushing her forward as she fell down, lifeless. 

She couldn't have.. She shouldn't have.. But she had taken the bullet for me. 

I looked back at Lance with hatred in my eyes. She hadn't asked to be brought into all of this.. And he had just killed her! There was no justification for what he had done, and I was going to make sure he paid for it.. It didn't matter if I died trying. I had to avenge her.

Lance looked at me approaching and twisted his mouth into an evil grin. "Die" he said- as he started to pull the trigger.

At that moment I heard the firing of guns. I watched as three bullets hit him- almost simultaneously- one in the abdomen and two in the skull. He too slumped over- dead.

However, that wasn't enough.. His life wasn't enough retribution for what he had done. I ran up- grabbing the knife I had thrown at him before, and stabbed him multiple times in the stomach.

I watched as his blood flowed down my hands- but not one tear rolled down my cheek.. In fact, stabbing him wasn't enough- I started to slash the blade across his face- tearing deep gashes into his skin- until a policeman grabbed me and dragged me off of Lance.

I shook him off of me and ran back to check on Isa. She couldn't possibly be dead.. It couldn't end like this.. I pinched myself, slapped myself- anything to wake me up from this nightmare.. But I couldn't.. This was real..

I looked down at Isa- her breathing slowly coming to a halt.

Two policemen picked her up, placed her on a stretcher and whisked her away..

"Bye Isa" I said- the tears finally pouring out. I couldn't just stay here.. In the world.. It was wrong.. That bullet was meant for me.. I would never end up forgiving myself for this.

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Later that day

"I'm sorry.. There is no way for us to revive her from her coma.."

"But there has to be something.. Doctor please!" I reached out desperately for some hope- feeling the guilt wash over me again.

"I'm sure the technology would have been invented somewhere.. But unfortunately, we're sealed off as a city remember? I wouldn't have access to the technology even if it existed"

"I understand" I replied- my heart sinking. "How long does she have?"

"Theoretically- she can live for fifty years at least.. But practically.."

"What is it?"

"Well, we have never encountered this sort of case in the twenty-eight years we have spent in Flipsyde. We have no clue what could happen."

I sensed the ominous tone in his voice.. Whatever it was, wasn't good"

"She could die during the next Flipsyde. I'm sorry, but that only puts her at two days of survival.."

"Is there any other theory?"

"This is the most supported theory- at 85%"

"Is there anything more to this theory?"

"It just describes what happens to her and her flip.."

 "Hmm and what happens to the flip?"

I knew what was coming.. It had to be..

"He goes into her coma for three months. For her however, the imbalance of the Flipsyde causes her condition to deteriorate- from coma to death. And when he switches again.. Both end up dead."

I was shocked.. But still at the same time, somewhat acceptive of it.. I had deserved to die back there- she had just bought me time..

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Later that day

I sat under the bridge. There were only two days left to Flipsyde.. Two days left for me to wrap up my life..

I had decided to spend one day here.. At the bridge- remembering everything that happened between me and Isa.. 

Starting with the one sided feelings and the friendship, then all our adventures, then moving on to our times of planning.. She was the one who decided to give Hans to Lance and then call the police- thus framing Lance perfectly.. If only the police had been a little more efficient, Isa would still be next to me..

As I sat flipping through all my memories, I could notice the difference. Each one seemed to have a stamp on it reminding me that Isa was no longer next to me..

I had the happy memories to share. But nobody to share them with.

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I spent most of the best day with my family. I played alongside Christopher for some time- helping him with his video games, relaxed at the mall with mom, and even spent some time at the police station with Dave.

Beneath all my fake smiles, that sadness however lingered- slowly eating away at my joy. However, I kept it wrapped up tightly like a grenade in my arms- hoping that if I held it inside tightly enough, it might not hurt anyone else..

Towards the last few moments of the night, I lay on my bed- waiting for the inevitable. I watched the seconds tick down, and finally thanked the heavens for allowing me such a wonderful life. As soon as the clock hit 12:00, I felt the darkness overtake me- the darkness that would never leave me..

------------ end of chapter 30------------