Chapter Twenty-Two: Lifeboat:

-Anna-

Cold…

How long has it been like this? I haven’t opened my eyes since I got here.  If I open them, it will be worse. I can’t move. I don’t think that I should. He might see me again. He can already hear me, I don’t know how to get him to leave.

He doesn’t have a body yet. We’ve seen his eyes.  They creep me out. He knows I’m here. If I speak, he sees me. If I breathe, he sees me. I don’t know what he’ll do. It’s not a good idea to find out.

I’m afraid I’m unprepared to fight him. He’s got me at a disadvantage. I don’t think Asato-kun can take him like this. I myself am stuck. Airi is stuck too. She says that she has a plan. I am not comfortable with it, but he’s pushed us into this corner.

Motionless. Silent. Almost dead. I can’t keep this up.

Save… me…

But then, a big hand grabs me. I ripped open my eyes. He can see me, but I’m not scared. My body goes limp as I was pulled upwards.

Ah. How could I forget? I still have my dearest as my lifeboat. My love. My feet disappeared through the light.

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Tsuzuki pulled away when Anna’s skin became warm. She looked up at her husband.

“Asato-kun?” she asked. The shinigami breathed out.

“Thank goodness,” he said. Anna blinked.

“What happened to me?” she asked.

“You looked like you died on me there,” Tsuzuki said. “I just…” He bowed his head. “I’m sorry.” The shinigami noticed the look on her face.

“What?” he asked.

“I’m scared,” Anna whispered. “How do we fight this?” Tsuzuki grabbed her hand.

“I’m scared too,” he admitted. Anna opened her mouth, but the shinigami shook his head.

“I don’t want to lose you,” he said. “I don’t know what I’d do if I did.” It hurt to say that aloud. Tsuzuki felt like crying.

“I… I just can’t lose you,” he said. The shinigami grabbed her other hand.

“You have to promise me one thing,” he said.

“Asato-kun?” she asked. Her husband had tears in his eyes. He sniffled.

“Please tell me that we will be okay,” Tsuzuki said. “Tell me we will be okay!”

“Asato-kun…” Anna said.

“Say it! Please!” her husband pleaded. “Tell me we will be okay! Please!” Anna pressed her lips together.

“We will be okay,” she said.

“Say it again,” Tsuzuki said.

“We will be okay.”

“Again.”

“We will be okay.”

Tsuzuki kissed her on the lips. She pulled him into her arms. Self-doubt watched them, refusing to leave. But, the couple hang onto each other to survive. They have to for the latest trial.