you're the only thing that's keeping me alive

chapter 18

I open my eyes and look around me. I am alone in a dark room. Too dark to really get my bearings. Was it all a dream? Am I back in 1920? I don't know what is real and what isn't at this moment. I sit up slowly. My whole body feels like its been hit by a train. My head is banging with pain, my back is throbbing and my legs and arms feel dreadful. I wince loudly then there's a knock on the door.

"Hello" I whisper loudly. Even speaking hurts. I slump back down, in too much pain to remain sitting up. The door opens and I see the outline of a figure standing there.

"Tony?" I whisper. The figure walks towards me. I whimper, feeling suddenly frightened. I have no reason to feel this, I just do. The shadowy figure stops beside the bed.

"Annie, thank you. For saving Tony and clearing my name."

"William?" I whisper, but the figure has gone. I close my eyes again as sleep overcomes me.

I'm awoken by the sun shining through the window. I still feel weak but I need to check Tony is safe. I wince as my feet make contact with the ground. Pain shoots through every bone and muscle in me. I slowly make my way to the door, my heart beating so loudly it is frightening. I want to shout for Tony but I don't think my voice will take it. I open the door and Vic must have heard me as he appears, scooping me up into his arms.

"Hey" he says quietly, before carrying me down the stairs. Danielle, Mike and Jaime are all sitting in the lounge but I don't see Tony. My breathing becomes erratic and I feel faint.

"Tony" I manage to gasp before blackness overcomes me.

I hear voices somewhere in the distance. I slowly open my eyes and see the guys still sitting around the lounge. I still can't see Tony and tears start to fall. I need to know he's safe. That he's still here. Danielle sees how distraught I am and wraps her arms around me.

"I didn't save him, did I?" I say. "I thought I had. He looked alright."  She looks at me with a puzzled expression.

"He's asleep upstairs" she tells me. I go to stand. I have to see him. But my legs buckle beneath me. Mike picks me up and carries me to the spare room where Tony stayed before.

He nudges the door open with his foot and carries me over to the bed where Tony's sleeping form lies. He gently places me down and leaves the room. Tony stirs slightly in his sleep, muttering incomprehensible words. I reach out and gently stroke his cheek. His eyes start to flicker slightly and after a few seconds they open completely and he turns towards me. I smile at him. I'm so happy he's safe. He starts to sit up but is struggling a bit, so I help him into a sitting position. He takes my hand and pulls me towards him. I look into his eyes and see something I hadn't seen in them before.

"Thank you" he whispers. I can't take my eyes off him. He pulls me closer again and his lips gently make contact with mine. This kiss feels so much more intense than the last one. That one saved his life but this one feels like it's saving mine.