The Fear Of Falling Apart

-36-

If you like this story, and if you want to keep it alive, do not read this chapter. It is not the last, but after this things can never go back to how they were before. If you are sensitive to anything at all, please take care or don't read this one.

I'm sorry, guys.

Fin's POV

As soon as silence fell, Mikey and Ray tried to rush the dark skinned boy with the gun in his hand.

I wish they were able to have some effect, any effect at all, but he just stuck out his leg, causing Ray to fly into the wall, and decked Mikey without moving from his spot. I feel my stomach churn as I realize that they're both lying unconscious on the floor.

"If any more of you try to move, I will shoot you." The boy warns. I feel my stomach sink and my hands begin to tremble.

"No, please." I stutter. "Let her live. Take me instead."

The boy looks almost amused as he glances between us. "No, I think I'll take her."

"No!" Brendon shouts, stepping towards his daughter. The boy clicks the gun and aims it at Tanith's chest. "She still has a few minutes left, Mr Urie. I wouldn't want to cut that short."

Brendon looks torn as the tears spill down his face, but halts in place.

"My father was the one who took you two years ago." The boy announces harshly. "He's dead because of you."

Tanith just nods in defeat, a tear falling down her face.

"Please." Gerard begs. "Don't do this. We can give you money, anything you want."

"I don't want your filthy money!" The boy explodes. "I want you to feel how I felt! Do you know what it's like to lose someone like that?"

Silence. Nobody dares cross him.

"It hurts like hell." He growls, tears springing into his eyes. "And now every one of you is going to feel that way.

"Don't do this." Frank pleads, holding his tattooed hands out before him. "Please. I'm sorry about your father, I really am, but what will this solve?"

"Just take a minute and breathe, okay?" Josh asks carefully. "If you let us go, everything will be alright. Nobody has to die."

"She has to die." The boy growls, shaking his head. "And she will die now." He raises the gun to point at her head and she closes her eyes in acceptance.

"Let me say goodbye?"

"You say it from here." He growls. Tanith nods, another tear falling down her face as she chokes back a sob.

"Gee, Frankie?" She asks quietly. "You guys still there?"

I watch helplessly. Frank has tears leaking down his face as he responds. "Yeah, Tan. We're right here."

"Working on Danger Days was the most fun I've had in a long time. It kept me going when I didn't want to, and it's one of the things I'm proudest of. You guys were always there to help me break the rules, and I can't thank you enough for everything you did for me." She starts to cry harder, and I watch as everything falls apart. "Thank you, for everything. I love you all so much. Tell Mikey and Ray that I love them."

Frank begins to sob, and Gerard isn't far behind. "I'm so sorry Tanith."

"There's nothing more you could have done." She smiles sadly.

"No, please." Brendon cries, tears falling fast down his face. "Please don't. Please. Take me instead."

The boy ignores him.