Jack’s POV

I can’t go on. The world was in front of me, and the pains of everyone seemed to be screaming my name. When Alex was by my side, I felt like no mountain was too tall for us to conquer, but now I saw a wall a million miles high.

I couldn’t Shift anymore. This sadness, this hollow hole I felt in my chest was too big for my form to overcome. I would just die if I even tried to help on the front lines next to Vic.

So I found myself with Ronnie.

When I ran off into a neighborhood, calling his name and not caring who heard me, I found a raven sitting upon a pine tree. The black feathers glowed in the light of the afternoon sun. The bird flew towards a house and right through the window. I trotted up the steps to the door. The messy, black haired man opened and dragged me inside.

“Look, I saw what had happened, I saw Austin being taken, and I saw the Wynter’s small army moving in. I know what you want.” Ronnie Radke explained quickly, his eyes peering straight into my soul. I didn’t even have to open my mouth to speak. I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye, just a flicker of a familiar green jacket and light brown hair.

“So you happen to have the whereabouts of all the Shifters I’m looking for, all the Shifters that’s visited the Sanctuary?” I asked cautiously. The heavy feeling of doubt filled my chest.

A twinkling laugh danced through my head.

“Well, yes, but more!” Ronnie clapped his hands. He had on a black leather jacket, jeans, and a black shirt.

“Really?” I questioned curiously. Ronnie nodded and led me down his house’s hall to the basement door. I swore I heard light footsteps behind me. As Ronnie fiddled with the lock, I glanced over my shoulder.

I saw Alex leaning against the wall at the top of the stairs, smiling down at me. He seemed faint, almost transparent. He made no sound, but opened his mouth in a quiet laugh as Ronnie swore and kicked open the jammed door.

I blinked and he was gone.

My head must be playing tricks on me. It was a cruel joke.

“Okay, so do you remember me telling you that I’m a bit of a suicidal danger freak? Well, I’m also a pyromaniac.” Ronnie gestured to the large room full of guns, bows, and explosives. It was quite impressive. Boxes warning us not to expose to open flame were scattered in each of the corners.

“How much free time do you have?” I asked him in astonishment. Ronnie shrugged and started to hand me boxes.

“More than you’d know. Let’s just say if you hear any ‘fireworks’ go off when it’s not July, I was messing with the Guardians.” Ronnie tossed me a few guns and ammo boxes. I caught them and held them in my hand.

Cold fingers brushed across my back. I turned my head to movement in the corner of my vision. Alex Gaskarth was sitting on top of an ammo box and pointing behind it. His cheeky grin nearly made me break down.

“What?” Ronnie asked and followed my stare. I swore, Alex was laughing his transparent ass off.

“Oh, nothing. What’s behind that box?” I asked him. Alex gave me the thumbs up and faded away.

Not even death can break the Sempiternal Continuum.

Ronnie ducked behind and pulled up a smaller briefcase with an excited look. He muttered something about letting his inner pyromaniac out with the “ultimate prize”. A message went through and his phones vibrated in the man’s pocket. Clicking the phone on, reading it, and then setting it down, he threw me more boxes to carry up.

“Okay, so the Shifters will be here in two minutes. I called up the group two days ago when I saw Austin was taken. They’ll be here, come downstairs, grab whatever they can get their hands on, and then we’ll take off to meet up with the rest.” Ronnie explained. Just as he finished, many feet took off down the steps.

“They’re early.” Radke muttered. Twenty or more Shifters burst through the door. At the lead was a girl about twenty years old. She immediately Shifted from her German Shepard form to a human. The rest of the girls and boys ran inside and looted the room.

“Radke, we got your call. We have another few upstairs who will be carrying some extra boxes.” The girl informed. Ronnie nodded and gestured to the room.

“Anything you need, just take it.” He grinned. I had with me a few explosives, a lighter, and some grenades. Ronnie took up a few throwing knives, and a small gun. After everyone cleared out, I followed Ronnie up the steps. We had to hurry.

About twenty people of all ages gathered in the front, awaiting instruction. I relayed the plan that Wynter and Vic had formed to the huddled bunch. We weren’t to kill anyone but the man in charge.

“But why can’t we kill? Won’t they try to kill us?” A young boy asked. I nodded.

Alex leaned beside a tree, watching my speech.

“Yes, but we have a possible advantage. A few days ago, some crowds rioted against the killing of a dear friend of mine who was a Shifter,” I started to choke, but regained my posture to continue. “Look, if we can get them on our side, we now will have the hundred or so Usuals that live in the City! They’ll add to our numbers and help stop the Guardians.” I finished up. Everyone nodded in agreement, just anxious to get into the battle.

An hour later, we were on the road and the Barrier was in sight. From the sounds in the distance, it sounded like Wynter had started the party without us.

“This is for you, Alex.” I whispered, feeling my hands curl into fists. I was angry at the killers, but I had direct orders. If we really wanted people to trust us, we couldn’t kill anyone but our target.

I saw my ghostly friend, connected by a bond stronger than death, walk alongside me. I turned to face him, grinning. No one else could see him but me.

“I love you, Jack. Be safe. I’ll be your side, even if you can’t see me.” Alex whispered, his soft voice carried to my ears. I grinned. Alex might be dead, but he would never leave me.

“Who are you talking to?” A snake boy asked me. His hands clutched very dangerous fireworks in his arms. Alex threw me a small smirk, putting his hands into this pockets.

“A good friend of mine.” I explained back. The boy looked even more confused, but didn’t respond. I was leading next to a horse that carried bags on its back. A girl rode on the dappled grey who snorted in fury and pranced, ready for battle. Overhead, birds of all sizes and types screamed. In their talons were clutched different explosives. They would be the ones to land, Shift back, light the dangerous materials, fly high, and then let them drop.

In the middle of my thoughts and fast walking towards the Barrier, I felt a pair of faint lips kiss my cheek and a hand squeeze my arm. I turned to see the fading figure of Alex.

“Kick ass for me, Barakat.” His voice was disappearing. I nodded, sealing the promise.

That’s when we exploded into the City.

Notes