Chapter 11

Jackie found himself in bellbottoms. He looked around to find all of his brothers spraying their afros in front of mirrors, inside some dressing room.

This isn't real. Jackie thought.

He tapped Michael on the shoulder.

�� "What year is this?"

Michael laughed. "1975! Didn't Joesph tell you not to drink before a concert?"

Jackie only stared at him as Michael straightened his light-green jacket.

�� "Alright boys! Show time!" Joesph called.

We're going to get mobbed. Jackie thought.

Suddenly he found himself on the stage. The lights flashed on and the group began to sing. Jackie was caught so off guard by the massive crowd, he couldn't even bring himself to sing. He knew exactly what was going to happen. Marlon. who was staged next to him gave him a look. Jackie knew the song, "Never Can Say Goodbye," so he harmonized himself with the rest.

One, he counted.

The crowd began to get crazy and the security tried their best to contain them.

Two, he counted.

The security bar began to shake. Michael, as he sung lead, slowly began to back himself away from front stage.

Three.

The bar broke and 5000 people began spilling out. They started jumping on the stage. Michael was the first one to drop the mike and run. Jackie and the others followed him. Joesph and the managers followed right behind them. Once they ran outside to the balcony, the fans had caught up with them. They mostly went for Michael but if they couldn't get him, they got the others. They pulled at Jackie's collar and began to choke him.

"Jackie!" Michael's voice cried. "Someone help Jackie!"

No, Michael. Jackie thought. I'm not letting you win.

�� "This isn't real..." Jackie whispered with all the breath he can manage. "This is just a dream....I don't believe this...I don't believe this...."

Jackie suddenly woke up. He did it.

Michael held his head in pain when he realized Jackie had woke up. He quickly ran out of the Neverland house to see Jackie.

Suddenly, someone started banging on Jackie's door. He knew who it was. When he opened the door, Michael stumbled in holding his head.

�� "Michael...What--?"

Breathing hard he leaned on support of the wall. "You did it," he gasped.

�� "Michael," Jackie said. "Michael, take it easy."

Jackie helped him to the couch. Michael looked as if he was in torture. Jackie went to the bathroom to get some towels. He put the towels under Michael's head. By that time,Michael had become exhausted and had stopped fighting the pain.

�� "Michael, what's going on?"

Michael closed his eyes and said, "I'm dying."

�� "What?"

�� "I'm dying. Because of you." He said in a softer voice.

�� "I defeated you in that dream..." Jackie realized. Michael flinched in pain, swallowed, and nodded. Jackie found tears coming to his eyes. "I don't want you to die. I don't care how long you've been dead-man-walking, you're my brother."

Michael grabbed Jackie's hand. "It was for the best."

He opened his eyes slightly. "You did the right thing. Just end it all."

Michael's breathing became extremely soft.

�� "I love you, and I didn't mean to..." Jackie's tears started to flow.

�� "You did the best thing for me. You released me from my curse. I thank you for that." Michael smiled slightly. His grip loosened from Jackie's hand and his eyes closed.

�� "Sweet dreams Michael." Jackies whispered. "Sweet dreams."