Now we have you! Ross growled.
One of his colleagues raised a gun.
Fire! he commanded.
Atems chest throbbed. His heart pounded in his ears as the bullet grew closer. To him, this took forever. A flash of silver. He slammed into the wall upon impact. Blood poured from his chest and mouth. He gaped and pressed a fist to the wound. He clenched his teeth and let out a whimper. Shaking, he slid to the floor.
NO! Tea sprinted over. She knelt down beside him.
W-When d-did . . . you g-get here? Atem winced.
Just now, she sniffed. Was it a silver bullet?
Atem nodded grimly.

Teas eyes filled with tears.
T-Tea . . . I-I love you,
Tea shook her head. So do I, she whispered. You cant die! she cried.
No . . . as dreadful a-as this . . . may seem, you have to . . . p-promise to let me die here . . . please,
Tea let out a loud sob and gripped him. I promise, she sniffed.
She pulled him up and held him in her embrace. They shared one last kiss.
Thank you . . . f-for everything, he trembled, Dont cry, he whispered, wiping her eyes with a shaky thumb.
Tea stared at him.
He let out a weak smile. He gave a wince and arched his back.
Shh . . . Tea ran her hands through his soft hair.
He relaxed. His eyes flickered shut and his head leaned to one side. The blood stopped flowing onto the floor. He lay still and silent.
Tea held his lifeless body close, eyes streaming.