Howls from the pack [completed]

Gone

I felt Bella's soft hand on my forehead. "Wake up," her soft voice urged me.

I opened my eyes, sitting upright. My first thought: "Is everyone okay?"

Jasper looked over at me, giving a look of sympathy. "Brandon.. He.."

My heart sank. "He's dead?" I squeaked.

Alex shook her head. "No, but he's suffering. He's.. He's been turned into a mortal, and he's bleeding severely. He told us that Mortem's magic turned him human, and that he probably won't make it much longer."

I shook my head, looking for him. "Where is he?"

Jasper pointed towards a corner of the room where Brandon lay in a heap. I grabbed the scythe, walking towards the boy that I had hated only a few days before.

He smiled at me. "We won.." his hoarse voice whispered.

I nodded. "You're suffering, aren't you? You don't want to be like this..."

His smile became a frown. "I'd rather be dead than human.. I don't want to have to deal with what mortals do... At least if I'm dead I can go to the Fields of Asphodel..."

I stepped closer, raising the scythe. "You've done well, Brandon. I grant you release from this world." I gently tapped the scythe against his heart and watched as he exhaled for the last time.

I was surprised to feel no tears falling from my eyes, only a gentle sigh. The other three walked over silently.

"You did the right thing." Bella rested her head against my shoulder.

"Indeed," a familiar female voice said behind us.