Still gasping for air, I gaze down at the iridescent strands of Sin’s soul, still intertwined with fragments of mine. The colors dance together, reflecting off rays of sunlight that are just starting to break through the clouds.
The strands gather in the palm of my hand, and even as a wave of dizziness washes over me, I call on my Creator power.
Little by little, golden energy intertwines with the strands, changing when it comes into contact and becoming something new.
No, not new – something stolen.
Every new thread feels like I’ve run a marathon, but I don’t waver. I give everything I have, until what once felt like a bottomless well of golden power is almost completely dry, save for a single drop. Finally, the threads begin to knit themselves back together, as if now that all the pieces are present, Sin’s soul can take shape.
I blink away a tear, and he’s there, standing in front of me. A sob escapes me, and he crouches down to look at me in wonder.
“I’m not letting you go,” I whisper through exhausted pants.
The ache in my chest is almost debilitating, and the trembling in my body is growing worse.
I did more damage to my soul than Leon could ever have dreamed of doing.
The expression on Sin’s spirit morphs to horror.“Kitten… what have you done?”
His words are disjointed, as though our connection is getting spotty. Silver threads reach out to him, surrounding his spirit and coaxing him back into his body, but Sin fights it.
“Be angry when you’re done being dead,” I groan, as even my Reaper energy starts to falter.
My heart feels like it’s slowing, sending a cold, numb sensation through my veins.
“Please,” I beg, knowing I don’t have much time.
Sin gives me one last panicked look before letting himself be swallowed by silver energy. But instead of reaping him, I shove his soul back into his body.
There’s a ringing in my ears now, and my breathing is getting shallow.
Almost there.
Don’t stop.
I pull on the single drop of Creator power left inside me, willing it to heal his life thread. The two edges knit together, only to hang limply across his chest, still looking dull gray.
“No,” I croak out, as I look for any sign that he’s coming back to me.
Nothing happens.
“No. Please no. Take me instead. I’ll give you more of me, but give him back. You can have everything! I’ll give you everything!” I scream into the sky.
My body gives out, and I collapse back onto his icy corpse.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper to Sin, wishing I’d been enough.
I stay that way, sobbing, and try to ignore the buzzing in my ears.
But the buzzing doesn’t stop. It only grows stronger and more insistent.
Are you for real right now?
Fucking mosquitoes?
I swat at the air, willing it to let me die in peace, only to freeze when I realize my arm just worked.
The buzzing grows louder, and I manage to pull myself up to standing, wondering where it’s coming from. But there’s nothing around us. My brow furrows as my mind tries to catch up to what is going on.
