Mesmerized | ✓

36

The sand was cold but Carl took off his shoes anyway as they walked along the shore in darkness. He had never felt as conflicted as he did now about the mysterious creature strolling by his side. Yuli had killed so many people which was awful in itself but then he tried to kill Carl's parents using his sister just to spite him. And now apparently he was sad about at least some of it. Yuli was quiet and he looked weird without that smirk attached to his face.

Despite the awful deeds, despite the red hole in his chest reminding Carl that he had almost killed him, he still loved him with all he had to offer, only he didn't know what that love meant anymore. "By you saying that humans have souls are you saying that there's a God after all?" Carl questioned, unable to stand the silence any longer.

Yuli turned to look at him. He didn't look happy but he did look like he was at peace with whatever was going to happen to him. His eyes were clear and they didn't hold any resentment. Carl still couldn't figure him out. "I'm just saying that there's something after death that's waiting for you...but not for me."

Carl sighed wishing there was something he could do. Unless..."What would you do if you became human? Would you continue killing people§"

"No." Yuli replied. "I would have no reason to."

"Then why you have you been doing it in the first place?" Carl questioned.

"I had to." Yuli said, a gust of wind blowing into his face and running through his hair making it go in all directions. It reminded Carl of when they had first met, when Yuli still had that long hair. "To survive."

"Why?"

Yuli shrugged. "Does it even matter at this point?"

"Can't you just go back to the water?" Carl asked, still not understanding why Yuli had to die.

Yuli smiled but it was a sad smile. "That was not the deal."

"What deal?"

"Do you really want to waste the little time we have left on discussing that?" Yuli asked.

"I guess not." Carl said as he watched the still dark skyline. Then he looked back at Yuli, at his sad eyes and pale face. He had made all of their lives a living hell, killed countless people and Carl should hate him. He should laugh into his face and wait for his death with excitement.

And yet, Carl couldn't fathom the idea that Yuli would be gone even after almost killing him himself. Now, it was as if the world had shifted for the millionth time and Carl thought that if Yuli said he could still change, then he should be given a chance to do so. "Take my heart." Carl proposed, not knowing anymore if it was Yuli still having him in his grasp or if it was how he really felt.

Yuli looked at him skeptically with his eyes narrowed. "Really? You would sacrifice yourself for me after all you've done for me?" He chuckled bitterly. "You don't love me, Carl. It's still only my influence."

Carl quickly shook his head. He could feel it in his bones that what he felt for Yuli was real, as real as it could get. "Then do to me whatever you did to Robin." He said grabbing Yuli's cold hands into his own. "Do it." He repeated brokenly, unable to face Yuli once again dying in his arms.

Yuli looked down at their joined hands and once again let out that bitter chuckle. "Oh, Carl."

*****

Yuli could feel his fangs coming out, itching to rip apart the fabric of Carl's shirt just to have a clear passage to his beating heart. He could feel it, pounding, begging him to do what he had been supposed to do from the very beginning. But as much as he wanted to, Yuli feared that despite the unfortunate outcome, he had become human in ways that he didn't intend to.

He would do it, if it were anyone else but Carl. But being in the human world, even with the immortal soul, suddenly didn't seem that appalling anymore if Carl wouldn't be in it with him. He looked at the dark sea noticing the first rays of sun coming out to illuminate the world. He would see it for the last time. Carl clearly noticed it to as he started unbuttoning his shirt. "Quickly." He said.

But Yuli only pulled Carl close to his chest and held him tightly. Carl struggled against his embrace for a while but then his muscles relaxed. "Did you ever love me like I love you?" Carl asked, his chin resting on Yuli's shoulder.

Yuli didn't use to believe in love but now, having gone through what he had and having put Carl through such hell and him still (allegedly) loving him, Yuli didn't know anything anymore. So he just closed his eyes and stayed cuddled up to Carl as he felt the first rays of sunlight on his back.

*****

A part of Carl thought that if he held on to Yuli's body tight enough, the boy would just stay there. But either Carl's power of love was not strong enough or it was truly not about that because as the sun came out, Yuli disappeared in his arms, disintegrated, like a soap bubble busting at the slightest touch. Carl's palms and clothes were wet as all that was left of Yuli was salty water and foam.

The earth didn't tremble. The world didn't end. And Carl still loved the man that was now gone. He should be happy or at least relieved but all he felt was sorrow and regret because if he had known everything sooner maybe he would have been able to do something to stop all the craziness from happening. Maybe there could have been another way to not only save Yuli but also all his victims.

Though Carl felt empty inside he didn't cry as he continued to walk along the shore with sun warming up his skin.

THE END

A/N: So yeah, this is the last chapter. But there's still an epilogue left so stay tuned!