Chapter Text
She was dying.
She couldn't save him. It was all her fault. If she hadn't been so stubborn, so arrogant, then he would be safe and she wouldn't be desperately clinging on to every ounce of life she had.
"Clara, open your eyes!" he told her, a hint of panic to his voice. That was odd. He was never worried…
"I can't," she whispered. Something was paralyzing her. She couldn't move an inch.
"Yes, you can," he insisted. She felt his hands brush her face, pulling her hair away from her eyes. "Damn it, Clara, you are not—"
"I'm sorry," she murmured. She ached to open her eyes, even if it was just so she could see his face one last time. "I love you."
He was shaking her, trying to get her to move. "It's no use, Tom. He poisoned me." She felt tears seeping out from behind her closed eyelids.
"I will kill him," he said, hatred evident in his tone.
"You can't…stay with me instead. Please."
There was a short pause, and she felt herself being lifted up. "Tom, don't," she protested weakly.
"I am not going to let you die, Clara," he said savagely.
"You have to. He wants you to come after him." Danielle heard his rapid breathing against her chest, and yearned to touch him.
A dizziness was beginning to start in her head. She felt herself go limp. At least her death would be quick.
Vaguely, she heard laughing in the distance. A loud bang sounded next to her ear and Tom let go of her. She fell to the ground, her head hitting the stone floor with a sickening crack.
And then all was darkness.