Death's Exception

Chapter Forty-Five

"No." His face is written with concern. As it should be, I suppose. Any boyfriend would probably prevent their girlfriend from becoming a murderer. But not every boyfriend is in this situation. I swallow hard, the air around me feeling so much more tense and warm. It seems harder to breathe.

"I have to. To prevent anything from happening after I die." He looks at me like what I just said was extremely insensitive. But it no longer needs to be a truth that we hide from that I am dying. I am dying, and I will be dead soon. He needs to accept that like I have.

"Rory, this is going to end. It will all blow over-"

"A long time ago you promised me that. And it worked. That was comfort. But enough has happened since then that has proved that to be false. So we need to take action. I will not sit by and let this man ruin people's lives. You shouldn't either." I try to push past him to no particular location, but he grabs my arm, and yanks me back to face him. I whimper slightly, and he looks apologetic for a split second, but he hardens his face quickly after.

"Rory, I will not let you do this. Because I love you." Frustrated, I try to pull my arm from his grasp, but his hand is firmly clasped onto my forearm. I start to cry, not knowing what to do. Titus' face softens, and pulls me into his arms. I struggle against him slightly, but I melt into him as the sobbing gets stronger. "Baby." He whispers, his voice broken, before pressing his lips against my forehead. I close my eyes, and let him hold me.

So much anger races through my veins that great relief comes from sobbing into Titus' shirt. It is no longer simply about my suffering. Dr. Finley has hurt people that are very dear to me. My mother went through immense suffering despite the fact that she never deserved such treatment. She had the power to reach out to those whom she loved, yet he ripped that happiness from her. And that little boy that died at my hand, Lilly, Carter, and Titus. The haunting realization that this could be done to more people for my sake, fills me with a desperation that can only be solved by Dr. Finley's blood ending up on my hands.

Guilt and anger drip down my face in the form of tears.

I pull away from Titus. I know I must be scaring him. I am aware of how much it must hurt to see your love resort to murder as a last defence. He locks eyes with me, trying to read my expression. I let my face harden. The shattered and calloused face of someone who has been hurt far too much. He tries to kiss me, but I turn my face away so that his lips land on my cheek. He sighs.

"Please, Rory. Promise me you won't become the monster people think you are. Stay an angel. My angel." His hand rests on my jaw, and he turns my face to his gently. I stare up into his eyes, and notice how dim and hallow they have gotten. A new anger is rekindled in my lungs as I realize how much of the old Titus that found ecstacy in the simple fact that we are alive and breathing, has morphed into the new Titus that wants nothing more than to have a chance to love me. I roll up onto my tiptoes, and kiss him.

It is the best kiss we have ever had.

I let my anger channel through this kiss. His hands rest on my waist, and mine on his face. He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, and his fingers dance on my cheek. I pull away.

"Promise." He manages, breathing hard and his face bright red.

"I promise." I lie. He believes me. My stomach churns with guilt at lying to him. He grabs my hand, and walks me into the kitchen, where he takes a cookie from the oven and hands it to me. He smiles, extremely satisfied with himself.

"The dough was pre-made. But it counts." I bite into the soft chocolate cookie, and act as if it is the best thing I have ever tasted. Carter bounces in, and grabs three.

"Looks like he may be husband material after all," Carter blurts out, motioning towards Titus. Titus winks at me, I just shake my head amusingly. It hurts, though. It hurts because whether he be husband material or not, he will never be my husband. I won't live long enough to claim him as mine forever as I so would love to do. I take another bite of the cookie, convincing myself not to cry.

"I am more of husband than you will ever be." Titus jests, smirking at Carter. Carter raises his eyebrows.

"This," He motions towards his body, "Is everything girls want in a guy." We all laugh, and continue to eat and drink together. The atmosphere is warm as we all joke and play with each other. My heart yearns for this to be every night. But I can't have this. The moon shines into the kitchen, spreading a ghoulish tint to our smiles. Titus' untame hair flips backward every time he laughs, and his dimples stand out against his goofy grin. Carter's curls bounce around as he tells ridiculous stories that are more fantastic than they are true. I let myself enjoy them and the happiness they bring as much as possible. I start to find joy in the simple things such as how lovely Titus' forearms look in the rolled up sleeves of his button-down, and how loud and melodious Carter's laugh is. I take another cookie, and rest my head on Titus' bony, but broad shoulder as I eat. He puts his arm around me as he continues to talk and laugh with Carter. Once I finish the cookie, I yawn loudly.

"And that is our que." Carter says, and he comes and kisses me on the cheek. "Goodnight, mates." Titus nods, still not sure if he should allow Carter to kiss me or not, and replies, "Goodnight, chap. Shall we?" He sticks his elbow out, and I loop my arm through his. He stops in front of my room. "This is where I drop you off." I look down, terrfied of saying goodbye to someone who doesn't know this is a goodbye. I look up in his eyes.

"I love you," My voice drifts off, trying not to break.

"I love you too." He smiles, kisses me on the top of my head, and goes into his room across from mine. I sneak into my room, and start to gather my belongings. I don't forget the bracelet that Millie wore before she died, that I have taken the liberty of keeping, nor do I forget Pride and Prejudice, which I am sure Carter would love me to have. I grab the keys to the car, and take one last look at the house around me, before grabbing a gun from Titus' backpack that leans up against the door outside his room.

I leave.