Emily looked down at Richard, making her recollect the moments when they spent time together in the past. She failed to stop the tears from rolling off her face as her body quivered and fell to the ground. Emily inhaled and exhaled before shaking her head, letting the tears fall off her face before standing back up again. She let go of the fountain, letting it fall into the dark pit below. She used the other arm to grab Richard as she bent down, pulling him up. Her body slid over to the edge, her feet dragging against the floor, making skid marks. Reginald regained his composure and ran over to Emily. He grabbed hold of her back and helped in pulling Richard back up.

Ugh, come on... Emily thought as she ground her teeth.

Richard bit his thumb. Would they be able to save him? Richard closed his eyes and clasped his hands together, praying they’ll make it out ok. His body felt lighter as it ascended higher and faster than ever before. Richard opened his eyes and looked down at his hands. Along with the arms, an aqua-colored glow surrounded him. He glanced up as Fawn floated above them and used her abilities to lift him into the air. He smiled at the three of them as he reached the edge.

Richard made it back to the main level floor. He ran over to hug Reginald and Emily and cried out their names. The two hugged him back as Fawn watched over, sighing in relief.

Richard looked over and gasped upon finding the fountain no longer there. “Emily, you saved me and sacrificed your—?”

“Yeah,” Emily interrupted. “But if that meant losing you for good, I’d rather give it all up.”

They smiled at each other, but Reginald informed them they were still stuck inside the warehouse and must escape before it collapsed unto itself. The trio nodded in agreement and made a break for it.

.-.-.-.

Richard, Emily, and Reginald ran out of the warehouse before it sank underground. A gaping hole rested in its place as it stopped growing. Richard and Reginald panted and wiped the sweat off them, relieved they made it out alive.

“I’m glad you’re safe.” Reginald smiled at him. “And that you came to my time of need.”

Richard smiled back and gave him a thumbs up. “It’s no problem.”

Emily fell on her knees and pounded at the ground as the mechanical arms fell off her and broke apart. “I can’t believe it...”

“Are you ok?” Richard asked, bending down to her level.

“My plans, they’ve all crumbled down.”

“You know something?” Reginald crossed his arms with a stern look on his face. “For someone that wanted to bring peace to the world, you sure caused a lot of destruction around you.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“No way, but that wasn’t my desire or intention.” Emily shook her head.

“And why should we believe you?”

“I never said you had to.” Emily retorted, getting up from the ground. “My life’s gone and—”

“No, it’s not!” Richard interrupted. “This is your chance to reform and start your life over.”

Richard reached over to Emily, but she shook her head and stepped back. “No, I’m going to jail for all of this.”

“I’ll visit you every day, and when you can finally leave—”

“It’s too late for me; I can’t go back,” Emily said as her hair turned gray, her skin wrinkled, and her eyes bloodshot. Richard stepped back as his eyes widened and his stomach lurched. “Without my machines, fountains, and vials, I’ll perish. Besides, nobody will forgive me for what I’ve done. There’s no way I can make it up to anyone. "I'd rather die than have my memories haunt me and remind me of what I've-"

“No, you can’t die. Please don’t leave me!”

Emily turned to him, putting up a big smile as tears fell from her eyes. “I’ll be honest. I enjoyed our time together. You came a long way and opened my eyes; I’m glad to have met you.” She reached over, picked up the gun on the ground, and placed it beside her head.

“No...”

“Goodbye, Richard.”

“No, Emily, don’t—”

Bang! Emily pulled the trigger and fell to the ground. Blood poured out from her head as the body lay lifeless on the ground. Richard covered his mouth as tears poured out from his eyes. He fell on his knees and buried his face, sobbing into the night. Reginald placed a hand on his shoulder and lowered his head.

“Well, what do you know?” Fawn’s voice echoed in the air. “Although you didn’t do the deed, she still somehow ended up dying.”

Reginald clenched his fists and glared at Fawn, who floated beside them. “What do you want?”

“To congratulate you two on your performances,” Fawn replied.

“How dare you? Can’t you see Richard is having a moment here?”

“Yeah, I’m aware, but I also came to say goodbye.”

“What?” Richard raised his head and turned to face Fawn, still teary-eyed.

"My goal was fulfilled, and I have no more regrets, so I can finally move on and ascend to heaven," Fawn told him.. “But there’s not much time left. Any last words you want to say before we part ways? You have no idea how much time has passed since we first—”

“You didn’t know what our connection was like,” Richard muttered.

Fawn sighed. “Well, I know she meant a lot to you, but you know she wasn’t going to change. She had to leave this world before things worsened and more people suffered.”

“Wait...” Reginald squinted his eyes. His face hardened after thinking about it. “Don’t tell me, did you...?”

Fawn grinned, and her only response was, “I told you I’d get my way. And you didn’t have to kill her, so I consider that a win-win.” The ghost’s face brightened up as her gaze went back to Richard. “It’s been an honor working alongside you. Farewell, Richard!”

She waved goodbye and flew off to the higher plains, as the two brothers watched her leave.

Reginald rolled his eyes and sighed. “Good riddance.” He turned back to his brother, again, staring at Emily’s dead body. “Hey, are you going to be alright?”

Richard shook his head. “No, not yet,” He said, choking on his words. “I need some time to myself. Can you give me a minute or two?”

“Don’t worry, take all the time you need. If you need anything, I’m a call away.”

“...Thanks, Reginald.”

“Don’t mention it.”