-Gabriel-

"Well... you got your wish. It seems you're more at peace now that you have what you wanted. Why don't you come to Paris, Gabriel? We could celebrate; live on as we did in the old days. I don't mind Addison's company." Jack telepathically says.

Jack, she isn't well. I have to fix this. I reply as I request for a ride... using your phone. I don't have mine.

"She isn't well?" I hear him laugh. "This is unlike you... How do you intend to 'fix this'?"

I look over at you while you're picking at your nails and pacing the room. I know what you're thinking. You want to run, you're frustrated with me, and you're trying to keep those images from what went on in the realm out of your head. I know. Most of all, I can see you're finally growing a little more backbone. I'd say you're making some progress.

"You don't seem too excited that I'm back in this world."

He was in between dimensions. How did he make it out? What happened to him? Now that he's back, he's going to see I don't have all the same ideas and my urges aren't as they were before he last saw me. This will likely cause some kind of chaos... I have that feeling.

I finish putting in the information for the driver to come pick us up and then give you your phone. "They should be here at about 9." I say as my mind sways back and forth from focusing on what we're doing to my concern about Jack's return.

You take the phone with a small nod and stuff it in your purse. I love how you continue to think this whole thing is ridiculous and 'unbelievable'. That must be your favorite word. I'll show you; it's just like I said before -- you'll learn to enjoy this.

Though I'm apprehensive, I reply to him; I'm surprised that you're back. I was completely stunned. I didn't know what happened to you. Now that I think about it, I don't know how you could show me these different things Addison went through. How did you do that?

"Come to Paris. I will explain everything then."

I can't. I made a promise to Addison and I always keep my promises.

"Gabriel... are you going soft?"

Don't talk to me like that.

I open the door and motion you to go first. What, does it surprise you I have some manners? Please... don't tell me you forgot what time I'm from. Typical, Addison, very typical to assume I'm like that since you saw what I'm capable of.

We go outside, and though Jack is trying to keep a conversation going... for the first time in my life, I'm choosing to keep my replies short and vague.

He's talking about what the catacombs are like. Multiple inhuman things are residing in them. He's seen a few of these creatures, but he can never see them for what they really are; they're always changing. Always morphing. So far, they don't seem to have the desire to attack him. They're watching him all the time.

There are voices and whispers coming from all directions. It sounds like hell with distant screams, cries, and chanting. It's often difficult to know where he is. Sometimes, it seems like he's looped back around to where he started. Sometimes, he hears cars zooming by, honking their horns and skidding their tires, and people walking around above him. All of this reminds him of the realm, but not near as disgusting.

How is he so sure he'll be able to make it out of there?

"Gabriel, don't you care to know how I ended up here like this? What happened to you?"

I know I'm not the same. I don't know if he'd understand if I told him how I feel right now, or what I've been thinking lately. The line between this world and the one I've been so used to living in is blurry. If I stayed with you, I'd continue to change... that's not just an assumption, it's obviously a fact. If I went with him again, I'd revert to who I've been all these years.

Trying to maintain some kind of casualness, I ask you for the time.

"It's 8:49."

I requested for someone close by to pick us up, knowing some people are still on their way to work.

"I'm alone, Gabriel. Alone down here without any food or drink. I will find my way out, and the moment I do, I'm coming for you."

Shit.

I look to the sky, breathing in deeply. I knew it. I knew he'd do this. He can't go on without a purpose. I must be it. I really don't want him around you, Addison.

"You are special, you know... You went into the realm without separating from your body. No one has been able to do that in quite a long time."

What...? Is this why I didn't show up back in the truck? How does he know this?

"What is it?" You ask, noticing my face filling with amazement.

An older man in a silver car pulls into the parking lot and parks close to us. I look at you with a quick shake of the head. Motioning toward the car, I say, "I'll tell you later. Get in." I open the door for you while you give me a strange expression and carefully get in.

Once I join you on the backseat, the driver looks back at us with a smile. You greet him in the same way and I flick my hand at him; "Just drive, asshole. I'm not in the mood." He instantly glares at me as I direct my attention out the window.

Stop looking at me like that, Addison. Just because he smiled, doesn't mean you have to do the same thing.

Why did you lie to me, Jack? Why would you tell me I was out of my body and now you say otherwise?

We begin to move at a somewhat slow pace and I already feel like I'm going to lose my mind in here. I wish I didn't lose my truck.

I wait for an answer from Jack but he doesn't seem to respond. Did something happen to him? Have the creatures done something to him?

Resting my head back, I try not to let my thoughts wander too much. He's strong and powerful. Nothing that bad could happen to him...

I can't believe he's back.

We can't stay here. The only place I know we could go is that house. What an interesting experience that would be. So much energy, so much life, so much excitement, and all of that blood... All of that blood. I can't help a small hungry smile curling at the corner of my lips. Such tasty memories. So many great memories. I can still feel their fingers crunching in my hands, I can still taste the blood gushing from their wide open wrists, I can still hear them wheezing, choking, whining while on the verge of dying. I quickly place my hand over my mouth, covering the smile and trying to wipe it off. I have to keep my composure.

I wonder how you would take to this. Just imagining you like this. Running. Hiding. Just as they did... and I'd find you all. Break you all. Drink you all. I can't do that much to you, I know. You're different than them. So much different...

Rolling my eyes and shutting them as my imagination runs wild, I then realize Jack still hasn't responded. What is going on with him?

I hear you start to sniffle and see you hold your face.

"You alright back there?" The driver asks, peering at us in the mirror. When he sees me staring back at him with narrowed blood-thirsting eyes, he becomes aggravated again and watches the traffic in front of him. "Look, buddy... I don't know what your problem is, but this is my car and I can kick you out at any time."

"I don't think you want to do that... John."

"What?" he looks in the mirror at me. "I didn't tell you my name!"

"No. You didn't." I give a short sarcastic smile.

"Gabriel,"

I feel you grab my hand. It catches me a little off guard. You look into my eyes in a pitiful, pained way.

I don't understand. What are you...

"The voices. Please, I know you can do it. Please, make them stop."

"Whaaat?" The driver is thoroughly confused.

"Not your concern." I quickly wipe that away and his concern from his mind. He won't be butting in anymore.

I listen to your thoughts and it's not just you in there. It's many, many voices. They're the people you saw and heard during your time in the realm. It's like they're trapped in your head, living the same moments over and over. Some are violent and lost, others are afraid and hopeless.

This will make you want to commit suicide.

Furrowing my brow, I gently squeeze your hand and push these things away, replacing them with silence. Darkness. A place of restfulness. The pain and sorrow slowly drains from your face, resembling the look of death. The light, the personality, all goes away.

I don't realize as I watch it happen with deep curiosity, I'm losing myself in the way you look.

"Hey... we're here. You ok?"
The driver stops me.

I finally blink and look out the window. We've arrived at a coffee shop. This is the place you get your favorite treat -- iced pumpkin scones and a large sweet tea. So much for coffee.

"Everything is fine." I answer.

"Your girlfriend doesn't appear to be."

Girlfriend? What the fuck. She's not my girlfriend. I feel like saying that to him, but then I stop myself.

I grab your hand again and call your name.

"Yeah...?" You murmur.

"We're here. Come on." I say.

You blink a few times and finally come back to reality. "What? This place?"

It looks like this surprises and amuses you.

I guess I have to play nice for a little while...

"Thank you!" You tell the driver, tipping him before I can, and you get out.

What the hell...?

I take the cash from him and tip him with my money instead, then I get out of the car as he complains.

You're already headed inside. I don't understand this. I follow shortly behind, studying the people around us all the while.