GO

25_End

.25

I stare at the bar, biting my lip. Drink after drink, the cycle resumes. Refusal, mocking, scorn, threats. Repeat. I try to leave, but they force me to sit. I try again, same result. I can't let this pass! I kick the bar over. I feel my back strain and I manage to escape. Then, she enters. I run to her and wrap her in a hug. I apologize for everything. For not finding her sooner. For being such an ass. A jerk. A meany.

An intense feeling fills my midsection. She backs away, and I look down. A knife is embedded in my midsection and out the other side. I managed to get back into my original form a long time ago. I feel the life slipping out. I cry, deliherious, "Darkness?" I hear scorn until nothing is before me.

Darkness replies, gentle, "Yes, Alpas?"

I whimper, "Help."

Darkness threatens, "Why should I? This is your fault. I finished my purpose. By the way, ALPAS, you pronounced your own name wrong. It's Alex. This isn't an alternate realm. You have wings. It is all a lie. You are the villan. That is why you die. You left destruction in your wake. WHERE EVER YOU GO, YOU CAUSE PAIN!" I know that voice. That voice is a voice I've known for years. Cody, why are you here?

I whisper, "Cody? Why are you here?" Cody appears before my eyes, in a burning house. He seems so relived as he hauls me out of the house. Vienna is crying on the pavement. I hug her close as the rest come bolting out. The house burns down, and my lighter falls from my pocket. A cigarrette falls from my mouth. Realization fills me, and I hear a gun cock.

Vlad growls, "You killed..."

Vienna calls, "CRETE!" A gun fires and I look to Vlad. The gun was pointed down.

My brain goes numb and I reply, "Why didn't you?" Vlad stares with slack jaw.

He chokes, "What?"

I reply, "Why didn't you shoot me? I burnt everything!"

He sighs, hugging me close with tears rolling down, "I would never hurt you. I was aiming for the squirrel that chewed the electric chords in the pannel box."

(DROPS MIC)
END BOOK.