Pandora's POV

The beeping stopped yesterday. Only for a moment had it ceased to continue, and as it did I felt as if my soul had been ripped from my very being. It felt much like how I imagined getting your wings torn off would feel. Excruciating, beyond imagination.

My whole body had become numb, but when the beeping stopped pain seemed exceedingly evident. It felt as if I was being stung but a thousand bees. Was this what dying felt like?

This plane I'm existent on is crumbling. Images of figures flash around me. Blood. I see blood. Bodies. People I once knew. People I can't remember. My mind is crumbling. I can't understand what is happening to me. Am I dying?

The only thing I could seem to grasp was a name. Only a name repeating in my damaged brain. Mason. Mason promised. But I don't understand. Who is Mason?

Mason's POV

"HURRY UP!" I yelled charging through the trees. "I don't have time for this!"

Hunter was only a few feet behind me, but every time he slowed I yelled again. We had no time to slow. We only have time to run. We were so close yet so far. Too far.

I hadn't slept all night. I could only sit and wait until Hunter woke, so we could continue our travels. I was clearly sleep deprived and running on adrenaline alone. But I had to keep myself going and hoping. Hope was the only thing keeping me from falling apart with worry that it was already too late. That she was already gone.

We were only 20 miles away from home, from Pan, and I knew we could make it by dusk. Twenty miles. We had to make it.

I shoved Hunter forward again, but held onto his shirt collar in case he fell again.

"Jesus, Mason calm down," he said laughing.

"We don't have time to be calm! Pandora could be dead already, and we are just running slowly!" I screamed.

My eyes were wet just thinking about the possibility. No. I wouldn't let that happen. Not to her.

Pushing him again he tripped and fell right into a tree. Good idea. Leaving him on the ground to tend any wounds, I flew into the tree to get a better view.

"I still can't see it," I whined hopping down from the large oak tree.

"We won't see it for another 10 miles or so. By the way, thanks for shoving me into a tree." He said sarcastically.

I nodded smirking, and continued to run. It seemed I had acquired running as a new skill considering we couldn't always fly. Thought I could fly now, but Hunter said if I tried to carry him again he would stab me.

Another hour had passed and we still seemed so far away. The waiting was unbearable.

"Do we have any food left?" I asked Hunter, as my stomach crumbled.

"No."

"Well why not?" I asked annoyed.

"Because I certain someone ATE IT ALL!" He yelled, clearly annoyed with me. Maybe because I ate it all... oops.

I crossed my arms and walked faster hoping to avoid his gaze. He is such a twit. Within minutes we were fighting again, and this time it almost lead to punching. Oh, how I wanted to punch him so hard, but Pandora would not approve. This was all for her, so I would restrain myself for her.

Finally we came to a familiar part of the forest. Several X's marked the trees letting us know it was poachers territory. Hopefully we wouldn't run into any, but after our previous run in, I highly doubted we would.

Sneaking through the trees was extremely hard since several layers of leaves littered the entire forest floor, preventing us from making silent footsteps.

I eventually gave up and just ran again. I could see it! We were so close now! I couldn't contain my excitement.

"Hunter look!" I yelled furiously tugging him forward.

We exited the forest into the meadow. Above us was the hill, Fugite, where Pandora and I learned to fly. I remembered that day so well. I don't think I'd ever be as good a flier as her, at least not anymore.

Hunter finally took the lead as he sprinted up and over the hill. Following him, we neared the infirmary where Pandora was. Finally we were home. I could save her. We could save her.

"Mason wait!" Hunter yelled, stopping me before I entered.

"Listen whatever happens in there, I just want to let you know that I'm really sorry, for everything," He said giving me a slight nod and smiling.

I nodded back before running into the building. Throwing the doors open several people stared at me bewildered before realizing why I was there.

Running into Pandora's room I wasn't startled when I saw her still lying there unconscious. She hadn't woken up.

An oxygen mask covered her entire face, and she had several tubes coming out of her arms.

Taking off the backpack, I grabbed one of the syringes, and I injected the liquid into her blood stream. Laying the empty syringe on the table I sat beside her waiting for her to wake. No matter how much I convinced myself she would, I could not stop my mind from assuming the worst.

•

"Mason?" Lifting my head I looked towards my mom who was standing in the door way.

I ran towards her, and hugged her tightly. I hadn't realized how much I missed this place. Oh wait, I had. The human world sucks.

Looking back towards Pandora I saw she hadn't woken up, or even moved an inch. I let the tears fall freely. I could care less what people thought of me. I wasn't strong. I only pretended to be for her. My one and only, Pan.

"Mom what if she never wakes up?" I asked, sobbing into her shoulder.

"You mean what if she's in a coma forever?" I shook my head from left to right.

"I mean what if she dies? Mom, I can't live without her!" I said pulling my mother closer and letting my tears fall into her coat.

"Mason you have to have hope. Only when you have hope will miracles happen."

I nodded slightly. I know she was only trying to make me feel better, but it wasn't really working.

"Could I be alone please?" I asked quietly.

"Of course. Did you get any extra medicine?" She asked standing my the doorway. Handing her the backpack she left, and I returned to my spot beside Pandora.

Holding her tightly, I kissed her forehead hoping for some warmth, but her body was cold. She felt like death. Maybe I could breathe some life back into her.

Pulling her closer I wrapped my wings around hers. They were losing their feathers, and dulling. I only hope that when she awoke she could still fly. I don't know what I'd do if I could never see her fly again.

Pandora's POV

I felt something. A sharp jab and my body felt everything. I could feel my fingers and my toes! Oh how I forgot this feeling!

Nothing was numb now. I felt something coursing through me. I don't know if it was the longing to be awake, alive again, or something else entirely.

I felt wetness. My cheeks were wet. My hands were wet. Was I crying, or had someone cried over me. By now I felt like crying.

I wanted to feel my warm salty tears fall down my cheeks leaving little watery streaks. I wanted to feel the warmth of someone's touch.

I felt it. Warmth. Someone was holding my hand, intertwining my fingers with their own. I wanted to know who was holding my hand. Was it Mason? Mason. Mason promised.

This feeling was exemplary. I felt like I could do anything. Anything but open my eyes. I so desperately wanted to open my eyes, and see who was holding my hand! But I couldn't.

Every time I came close to trying I feared opening my eyes, and finding someone else holding my hand. Someone who wasn't Mason. I remembered. Oh how I remembered.

I knew it was silly. I knew it was foolish, but what would you do if the love of your life had died trying to save your life. I could never forgive myself.

Wait... Had I really said it... yes I had. Mason is the love of my life and nothing can deny it.

I will wake for Mason! I yelled internally breaking any metaphorical chains holding me to this coma. I pulled and pulled and slowly the thousands of bricks holding my eyelids closed disappeared. I could see it! I knew. I knew I could open my eyes!

But then I was running, running, running. I felt like I was running to flip a switch, and the switch would wake me up, but every time I drew closer the white light grew brighter. And brighter it grew.

I wouldn't let it take me! I needed to see Mason! The white light would not conquer my story! Mason I'm coming! I'm coming! I shouted furiously, until the white light engulfed me whole.

Geez. Rewriting this, I realized how evil I was. Whoopsies. Sorry for the cliffhangers XD