I feel warmth everywhere despite the chill in the room. I gasp for air, but it's not because of pain. It's because of shock. Carson is staring at me like I'm a goddess. The wind brushes against my neck where my hair should be. And, my clothes are different. What happened? I slowly float down to the floor, and bolt to find a mirror. When I find one, my jaw drops. My hair!!! It's all spiked and short! Why do I have a tattoo on my eye?! Why am I in a stupid crop top with only a leather jacket to cover me? Carson appears in the mirror. He's standing behind me with a wicked grin on his face. I turn around to face him.
"What happened? What am I?" I ask. Jack emerges from a shadow.
"You're a monster." He whispers. My heart stops.
"N-no, I'm still me." I stutter. Jack marches up to me, holding a block of ice to my face. I don't feel anything, and the ice becomes a puddle.
"Did you notice your eyes?" Drake points out. I turn to the mirror again. My eyes are a deep red with black snake-like pupils. "You are a monster, Tay." Drake scoffs. "And that's exactly why I must kill you."
Before I can turn around, Carson disappears from the mirror. When I am turned around, he and Drake are around 50 feet away, fighting. Jack sighs.
"You aren't you." He whispers. He grabs my neck, pinning me to the wall.
"What are...you doing?!" I choke. Tears run down his cheeks and he looks away as he tightens his grip. "S-stop..." I gag. Is this really Jack...? The Jack I've known for years...? Images of us laughing flash in my mind where I know Jack can see them. His grip on my neck falters, but I'm still gasping for air. So this is where it ends. I die in the hands of my best friend. Jack instantly lets me go, and I fall. My vision is blurry and my lungs are empty. I cough and fall onto my side. Carson is running over. He must've won. He sits me up against the wall but pulls away. My skin is burning him. That's why Jack dropped me. I stand up, still recovering but breathing. And spread my wings.
"Let's get out of here." I say, not making any eye contact. I take off, not feeling pain except my lungs. I've been so close to death so many times. And it's nearly killed both of them. I turn towards the boys.
"What?" Carson asks. I sigh.
"My being here...is causing harm to you." I say. Carson's eyes darken.
"And?" He growls. I hug him.
"You know what I have to do." I whisper. He holds me to his chest.
"No." Is all he says. He says it sternly. "You aren't letting people kill you just because we get a few bruises."
I look up at him to argue but he presses his lips to mine before I can say anything. I don't wanna leave this. I wanna have these moments again. Always. But I can't. I pull away, and throw the red stone to open a portal to the underworld. I dive down, entering fast, and spread my wings when I reach it. Carson comes in last, but Jack stays. Carson grabs my arm.
"Carson-"
"Please...!" He says. "I can't lose you. Don't leave me."
I look at him for the longest time. I see the pain, the fear... and eventually, I give in. Nodding, I hug him. He exhales and holds me close.