With glee, the creature kicks Maria once more, forcing blood up her throat and out her mouth. It’s disgusting laugh is the serenade that greets me when I open my eyes. My body…fucking hurts. The thought of moving is probably more painful than actually moving will be. Ugh, dying might really feel great right now. But, no. Not now, maybe later. Right now, I have something too important to not do. My eyes move away from the sight, looking for something to use as a weapon. Something, please, anything. My eyes look all over until they finally find, just within my reach, a glass bottle, an escapee from a trash can that must have been destroyed while I was out.

I reached out, and took the thing, when I saw the world engulfed in light once more. That idiot, he’s done himself in now. I forced myself to stand, turning to that vile beast as it picked up Maria. Her bloody face turned from tired to horrified as something revealed itself to her. I grunt, forcing myself up and forward. Holding the bottle in my hand tight, I feel my shaking legs dragging me forward only with the power of unwavering determination. This thing. This vile, life ruining, disgusting thing. I was going to kill it. I will kill it! Here and now!

With all the might I can muster, I smash the bottle against the things head, seeming to do more damage than even I had expected, knocking it over and Maria out of its grasp. In a rage, it turns its attention back to me. With a roar, it reaches out and grabs ahold of me. In desperation, I ram the broken bottle into the thing’s throat. Blood pours from the thing, but it is undeterred, wrapping its hands around my neck and squeezing, hard as hell. I feel my neck starting to crack from the pressure as my legs start to flail under me. I keep stabbing, faster and faster, pleading to the heavens that I can kill this thing. Please, please, let Maria at least get away.

I feel my windpipe start quivering in fear, preparing to be crushed, when it finally happens. The thing’s head is sliced off by a blade. The pressure around my neck dissipates as the light slowly fades. The thing’s body slowly turns to a white ash, before ascending into the sky, above the clouds, leaving just us two beaten and bloodied humans. I fall on my back, finally out of energy. Maria drops her blade, rushing to my side and pulling me up and into her. She seems panicked, and just as worse for wear as me. She talks about how I’ll be okay and that I just need to hold on for a little while longer, but I highly doubted that I could.

“Maria, stop it…” I mumble, feeling comfortable in her touch. She seems confused, before I just come out and ask it. “Can I die here, just like this?” I whispered out. “I protected what was worth protecting…have I made up for this worthless life?” I ask slowly, feeling my throat beckon me to not bother. She seems completely befuddled, tears welling in the corners of her eyes, before she gives me a sad smile, holding me closer to her body. The warmth and softness is enough to numb some of the pain in my body, dragging me even closer to rest.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“Yeah, okay. That’s okay. You can rest, Christopher. Just rest.” She gently rubs my head as I feel my eyes starting to close. “Go ahead and close your eyes.” She whispers so sweetly. I…feel like it’s really okay. I smile, before letting my consciousness fade. In those last few moments, I see him, in that hospital bed. The way he smiled at me, and asked me if I'd think of him. That man who hurt me more than anyone else in this world. I wish…I could have had that good man…I knew was inside you. I wish…I could love you without question. I wish…I could have believed in myself. That I was worth something. I wish I loved myself. I wish…I…

…

“Maria!” A woman dressed in a black sweater and jeans hops off the roof of the college once Maria is in her sight. Maria looks up from the dead boy in her arms. Her eyes, wet with tears, stare deep into the woman’s as they take stock of what they’re looking at. “Jesus, honey…” The woman covers her mouth. What to say? There’s no way of making things better now. The woman, after a moment, takes a breath and squats down. “Honey, we need to go. You need medical attention. The rest of the girls are waiting too.” The woman holds out her hand. Maria doesn’t take it.

“Take him…we’re taking him with us.” The woman was surprised by what she heard. A boy…there were no other boys down there with them, it was definitely an all girls situation. How would they react? It would be better to leave him dead anyways than drag this nobody into their own problems. The woman let out a deep breath, Maria not looking ready to agree. “He’s coming with us. I don’t care if he regrets it, we’re making him one of us.” Her voice was chocked by the tears in her throat. Jesus, what did this boy do to make her so connected to him? The woman scratches her neck.

“I mean, alright. We can try. I can’t guarantee that the boss will be happy with the idea though. It’s gonna be your responsibility if corrections are dealt out. Though, I know you’re a gluten for punishments.” The woman talks slyly, making Maria finally chuckle, a sound other than one of sadness. The woman looks down at the dead boy. “Still, I’m curious. Why does this boy mean so much to you? You were only assigned to watch this place for an angel for a day.” The woman crosses her arms, her curiosity genuinely piqued. Maria looks down at the boy as well.

“Mmm…he’s a good boy.” Is all she can say in response.