The entire group looked back. John's eyes widened as he looked down at his stomach. He winced and collapsed.

Alex yelled, "No, John, no!" he hurried to carry John. Thomas followed, helping Alex lift John. John threw his head back in pain. He refrained himself from shouting. The two males struggled to carry John, and the rest were already ahead when they heard another deafening gunshot. 

B A N G!

Eliza yelled in pain. The remainder of the group turned around to find another guard with a gun the same size as the other one. The guard looked down and frowned with disappointment. His gun was empty, and them two were the only ones with guns. 

Peggy, Maria and Angelica rushed to Eliza's side. The picked her up as the rest of the group began to move again. 

They ran (except for the sister, Maria and Thomas, they walked) for about an hour. By this time, the school was only a speck in the distance. both John and Eliza had their wounds wrapped in cloth.

Both of them were put down. Both were put away from each other, however. The girls (and Aaron, Sam and Charles) went with Eliza. The rest went with John.

As soon as John was put down, he asked Alex, "Hey, why were you talking so much with Thomas? Didn't you guys hate each other?"

Alex felt a pang in his chest. He started to feel guilty, lowering his head in slight shame. "You like him, don't you?" asked John.

Alex, accepting it, nodded slowly. Everyone else watched grimly and silently. John nodded, looking up, a tear slowly falling down his cheek. "I should have known you never liked me. I'm so worthless-"

"No! You're not worthless. You're my best friend. Without you, I would have been nothing." Alex's voice cracked, shedding a tear.

John contradicted him. "No. You're an amazing person. You have been fine without me. I-" he stopped. "Wouldn't be fine without you. I- I love you, Alex. I always did. To me, you were more than a friend."

Alex tried not to start crying loudly as John continued. "But- I always knew you'd like someone else. I just want you to be happy, now." He paused for a moment, gulping. "Thomas,"

Thomas stepped forward, trying not to cry himself. "Take care of Alex for me. Please?" John pleaded.

"No. John, you will survive. You will be okay. Just stay alive for me, please? I can't lose you." Alex stuttered.

"Alex, no matter what you say, you can't fight the fact that I am dying and that there is not much time left." 

Alex was about to respond, but he only cried even harder. "Don't be sad." John continued. "Please."

Alex slowly brought himself to nod. "Okay."

"But before I go, can you please do me a favor?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Can you please give me a kiss? I want to leave in peace."

Alex nodded and slowly brought his lips to John's. Their lips locked, as if they were meant for each other. Just then, John's lips smiled as they slowly turned cold.

"No!" Alex yelled pulling away. He sobbed loudly. Thomas bent down to hug Alex. Alex buried his head into Thomas' chest. Lafayette froze, shocked, a tear rolling down his cheek. Herc hugged him tightly. Even James began to cry.