Revive Me

Chapter Twelve

My heart is thumping so loud.
My ears are ringing a tune so rough I want to rip them off.
Juliette is awake.
She's alive.
I collect myself and straighten my back.
"Is she well?" I ask Delalieu.
He hesitates to reply.
"Ms. Ferrars has refused to talk to anyone but you, sir. She won't accept Sir Castle's assistance or any of our services. She says she wants to see you."
My mouth twitches and I struggle to hide a smile.
Juliette is awake, and she wants me.
I look at the group that sits confused on the couch.
"You all stay here or go with Delalieu to Castles room or something just don't follow me," I say as calmly as I can.
They nod and I leave the room.
As soon as I shut the door behind me, I run.
I run as fast as I can.
I can hear Kent screaming my name from somewhere unknown but I don't care
I don't care
I don't care
because Juliette is awake and she's asking for me and I have to go get her and I need to see her eyes open and I need to hear her voice and Juliette Juliette Juliette.
I come to a sudden stop right in front of my door where Castle is standing.
"I told you Warner. Now go, feel alive," he whispers.
I nod and twist the doorknob open.

***

Juliette is a mess, but she's still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
Her hair is in tangles and puffed up in weird ways. Her face is so so pale and her lips are so dark red like blood and it scares me but I don't care because she's still the same person.
"Warner," she whispers.
"Juliette, love-" I begin but she cuts me off.
"Warner come here please I've missed you so much I don't know what happened to me and I don't know but I feel so weird and odd right now and I don't know what's happening," she says in desperation.
I walk over to her and sit down beside her bed.
"Love, you just woke up from being unconscious for weeks. Maybe you should eat something?" I suggest.
She starts crying so hard it scares me.
I wrap my arms around her and cradle her head.
"Shhhh," I whisper. "It's alright, love."
I lower my gaze to look at her face.
She's wearing a silver necklace that I've never seen her wear before.
"Juliette, love. What's on your neck?" I ask as softly as I can.
She glances down and stares in shock.
"I....I don't know," she replies with her voice shaking.
I let go of her and advance my hand to take the necklace off.
She punches me in the face and I fall backwards.
"What was that for?" I scream as steadily as I can.
She looks shocked.
"I.....I don't know," she replies again.
"Warner, I don't know what's happening. I feel so weird. I feel that sometimes I'm just not in control of my body and I'm scared I'll do something. I just punched you but what if I kill you? What if something happens to you and it's my fault? Warner please you have to make sure everyone stays away from me," she begs.
I shake my head.
"Juliette, it's fine. You're alright. You're just a little shocked and that's okay," I reply.
In a swift second, she's on top of me. Her hand clasped on my throat.
Her eyes are so scary that just looking at them gives me signs of death.
She doesn't speak a word, she just begins to squeeze.
I can't breathe.
I can't breathe.
I can't breathe.
I can't shoot her either.
I am going to die.

ONLY ONE CAN LIVE.

I'm ready to make my sacrifice.
I'm ready to save Juliette.
I am willing.
"Juliette, I love you," I manage to whisper with whatever breath I have left in me.
I feel the grip on my neck loosening as I fade into the dark shadows.
I'm happy to be dead as long as Juliette lives.
Because this is what you do for people you love.