The Nightmare Angel

Only Just a Dream

"Michael. Open the door," a loud voice called as someone pounded against the door. "Michael!" He pulled the door open, shirtless as he lit a cigarette.

"Joanne, welcome to the place you weren't invited to. What the hell do you want?" He groaned, leaning against the door frame so she couldn't come inside.

"I overheard Ashton and Calum talking this morning. Something about looking for a lawyer? You didn't say anything to them, did you?"

"Don't get your granny panties in a twist. I didn't tell Ashton anything." He started closing the door.

"Did you tell Calum?" She demanded. He just closed the door and locked it, turning and walking into his room to get ready. He pulled out his phone and dialed Luke's number, the one he memorized years ago.

"Mikey?" The sad voice answered on the other end.

"Hey, Luke... uh. Can we meet? I have to tell you something important." Luke sighed and thought for a moment.

"W-what is it?"

"I really need to tell you in person... please? Meet me?"

"When?"

"Tonight. 6:00, at our meeting place from when we were in highschool."

"Alright. I'll be there... I uh..." he stopped himself and sighed, hanging up. Michael sighed and dialed his dad's phone number.

"Hello?" He answered.

"Hey, dad," Michael said shakily, looking down at the letter on his bed.

"You alright, son? You seem shaken up?"

"No, no. I'm alright. I just... I wanted to hear your voice."

"What is it, buddy? Has something happened?"

"No. Really. Can I talk to mum for a minute?"

"Yeah. Of course."

"Thanks... and dad?"

"Yeah, son?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, buddy. Here's your mum."

"Hello, love? Michael? Are you okay, darling?"

"Hey mum... I'm fine."

"We havent seen you in a while, when are you coming over? Do you want to come to dinner?"

"I'd love to, mum, but I actually just made plans."

"Tomorrow then. Come for dinner tomorrow, promise?" He smiled sadly and looked down, staring at the gun on the bed.

"Okay," he said, his voice cracking. "Okay, I'll come for dinner tomorrow."

"Promise?" She asked. A tear slid down his cheek as he picked up the gun on his bed.

"Y-yeah. I promise."

"Fabulous. 7:00 sharp. I love you."

"I love you too, mum. I really tacky do. "

"Bye seeetie."

"Bye..." he whispered, hanging up. There was a soft knock on his bedroom door and he quickly threw a jacket over the gun and note, opening it.

"Hey," Shawn said. "I'm a going out tonight. I won't be back until morning."

"Yeah okay. Good to know." Shawn smiled lightly and turned,  before stopping.

"You okay?" He asked. Michael let out a short breath, shaking his head to contradict his own words.

"I'm fine..." Shawn smiled lightly, even though he knew he was lying.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said,  walking out. Michael grabbed his jacket and walked out of the house, going to meet Luke.

~~~

Luke sat alone, watching over the city. He sat on the edge of the cliff, wondering if Michael was even going to show up. He hugged his knees to his chest tightly and sighed, feeling a tear slip down his cheek. He felt someone sit next to him, and he looked over at the boy.

"I started to think you were going to stand me up..." he whispered.

"I really had to see you. I had to talk to you."

"About what?"

"I had to explain everything. Tell you the truth. About Shawn..."

"About cheating on me, you mean?"

"Joanne told me to. She said that if I didn't she would kick you out of the band. You'd have lost everything. I just wanted to protect your happiness. It was either lose me or lose the band. The band has been the only thing that I've seen make you happy in so long..."

"What?" He whispered. "Have you not seen me when I'm with you? Michael. You're all I care about. The only thing. I love you more than anything. Losing you was the absolute worst thing I've ever dealt with."

"Luke, I'm nothing more than a burden. I'm not going to put that on you anymore."

"What are you talking about? Michael I love you. You're not a burden." Michael stood up and sighed.

"I love you too. But you'll get over me." He turned and walked to his car, ignoring Luke's calls after him.

"How will I ever get over you? You can't just leave me again! Not like this, Mikey please! I know that you love me now, so please. Please!" Michael started his car and drove off. Headed to end it all.

He sat in his bedroom, alone. He had finally sent out his final goodbyes. Luke knew the truth. They would get Joanne fired. If Michael wasn't around anymore they wouldn't have anyone left to blackmail... this was the only way. He had to cut out the weakest link. Himself.

He picked up his gun and stared at the note on his bed, taking a deep breath. The idea of shooting himself in the head had always sounded terrible, so he aligned the barrel of the gun with his heart instead. He steadied his breathing and closed his eyes. Suddenly he heard the front door slam open, but it was too late. He pulled the trigger.

~~~

Luke ran right into the small apartment, with Calum and Ashton right behind him. The door opened and instantly he felt his heart shatter as he heard the loud bang errupt through the apartment. He ran back to the room and tried opening the door, but it was locked.

"M-Michael? Michael! Open the door," Luke begged. "Michael!" Ashton pulled him away and Calum kicked the door, sending it flying in. Luke pulled away from his friend and ran over to Michael who was laying on the the floor, bleeding from his chest, groaning quietly in pain as the life drained from his eyes. "No, no! Mikey, please.. Call 911! Hurry!" He put his hand over the wound to stop the bleeding. "Mikey, don't die. Please. I love you. I can't lose you," he sobbed. "Not again. Please. I love you." Michael smiled lightly and coughed, spitting up blood. Before he could manage the next words, he fell unconcious.