Shadow Of Death

  "Don't shoot the damn gun!" Becky said.

   "Ohhh man....ohh maaan" John said, his hand shaking more.  "You're making me nervous, I'm just going to pull the trigger and get it over with......one....two...."

   "Stop!" Becky cried, yanking John's arm. "Before you do something stupid!"

   "AH!" John cried as the gunshot rang out.

   "Anyways, where were we?" James said with a smile. "Oh yeah, any last words?"

Michael opened his mouth to say something but a loud gunshot was heard. Michael jumped at the sound but seconds later realized that James didn't shoot his gun and the sound had came from behind. Michael looked to his left and saw dark blood start to flow from Jeff's chest. Jeff's mouth hung open with pain and shock. Seconds later he collapsed on his knees.

   "Jeff!" Michael cried.

James was confused. He looked around to find out where the shot came from. His lack of attention was just enough for Crystal to come out of his grip and run. James turned around and tried to catch her but she was too quick. James turned back to Michael. He was helping Jeff to the ground.

   "Hang in there...everything will be okay....." Michael told him, easing him to the ground.

James' anger rose beyond control.

   "DAMN YOU!" He shouted. Michael looked up as another thunderous sound of a gun rang out. "I hope you burn in hell!"

   "Yes...." Crystal gasped into the phone. She was inside the house calling for help. "I'm at 4325 south 13th avenue....please hurry....many people have been killed....and Michael Jackson is here......and...."

   "Crystal!!" She heard James shout. She quickly hung up the phone.

   "It's over, baby..." James said walking into the room. He laughed. "It's over..."

Crystal's heart started racing. "You didn't...."

   "I did." James said with a broad smile.

  Michael Jackson. The man she TRUELY loved was dead.

Crystal gasped loudly. A wave of panic crashed on top of her. Even as she heard sirens coming outside she couldn't stop her heart from racing. She felt her chest tighten up as she collapsed into James' arms gasping for air.

   "Oh god......." She took a deep shaky breath. "You killed....." She breathed again. "You killed...."

   "What's wrong with you girl???" James said. "And did you call--Oh god you did call the police!"

He dropped Crystal and ran to the window. A whole police squad was outside trying to break up the battle between Michael's team and the fans and help the injured.

   "Come out of the house with your hands up. We have you surrounded." someone said into a bullhorn.

   "Are you happy....." Crystal whispered, trying to pull her body from off the floor while gasping for air. "You ruined.....everyone's lives.......just to go to jail..........I don't want you James......I don't want you........"

James looked back at her. "No you're wrong." He said in a softer tone. "They won't put me to jail , they'll kill me."

He gazed at her struggling to breathe for a moment. He took the safety off his gun and raised it to his head.

   "Crystal, you were wrong to leave me. You know it. You are no good for Michael, or anybody in the world. You're worthless. I hope you die soon. See ya later sometime."

James pulled the trigger. Crystal turned her head and closed her eyes as blood splattered everywhere.

"Breathe...just breathe...calm down....and breathe...." The doctor said, putting a hand to Crystal's chest, letting it heave up and down. She started to sweat as Crystal forced air into her lungs. Now in a hospital she wanted to know if Jeff and Michael were okay and that is all she could think about. This made her panic and harder to breathe. She tried to get Michael out of her head and focus on breathing.

   "That's it. Just focus on breathing. There you go...." The doctor said. The doctor had her blond hair pinned up in a bun. "Her airway is opening up again..." She told a nurse. Crystal began to calm down a little and air came into her lungs easier.

   "That's it...take it easy...." the doctor said. Crystal look at the doctor's ID that was on her white jacket.

   "Mrs. Ross...." She said breathlessly. "Is.....is Michael here?"

   "Yes."

    "Is....Jeff here?" She asked.

The doctor sighed. "Yes....but you need not worry about them now......you nearly stopped breathing......"

   "I know that...." Crystal said. "Is.....Michael okay? Can.......can I see him?" Doctor Ross took a deep breath. "I guess you can.....but I don't want you walking yet.....I'll be back with a wheelchair."

Crystal took a deep breath. She thought about what had just happened before she went into what seemed like an asthma attack. James killed himself. James was killed. Crystal closed her eyes and exhaled. At least that part of her life was over. She would never have to be afraid of him again and she could give Michael a chance to win her heart.

He already won it, she thought, smiling.

Dr. Ross rolled a wheelchair into the room and helped her into it. As Crystal was pushed into the hospital hallway a smile spread across her face as she knew she had a new life ahead of her with the man she loved.

Michael opened his heavy eyelids to stare at the pale ceiling. His chest was in so much pain. He felt so drowsy. He knew he was medicated.

   Damn, I got shot again? Was the first thought that came to his mind.

   "Michael......" he heard someone say next to him. He turned his head and saw Crystal. He managed to smile.

   "Cristy....you're okay...." Michael said. His voice was husky as he struggled to speak.

   "Yes. I'm definitely okay." Crystal said with a smile. She stroked Michael's head with her hand.

   "Cristy........I really love you........" Michael confessed, blinking his eyes slowly.

   "Michael, I love you too. More than ever...."

   "Cristy...." Michael stroked Crystal's face with his hand. "I won't hurt you like James did......" He promised. "I just want someone to love. I don't want to be alone anymore......"

   "You won't...." Crystal said.

Michael's smiled turned into a frown. "How's Jeff?"

   "I'm going to see him after I'm done with you, sweetie" She said smiling.

   "Regarding Jeff....." Mrs. Ross said, coming in the door. "I'm afraid he didn't make it...."

Crystal gasped.

   "What....what do you mean?" Michael asked in a hoarse voice.

   "Jeff.....he was shot right through the...umm...heart....I'm sorry...he held on as long as he could...."

Crystal looked at Michael as he closed his eyes and took a deep shaky breath through his mouth. Tears started to seep through his closed eyelids.  Crystal took his hand as tears fell from her eyes.

   "Jeff wanted us too be together, Michael...." she said. "We'll do that for him right?"

Michael nodded. "You know what's funny?"

Crystal wiped his tears with her finger. "What?"

    "This all started on instant messaging..." Michael laughed and sobbed at the same time.

Crystal smiled. "And despite everything....aren't you glad it did. I have you now....I'm a stronger person..."

   "I've learned so much....how to be....the man I was..." Michael said looking into her eyes.

Crystal leaned over and kissed him on the lips. "Did Lisa come to visit you yet?"

   "No...but ya know what? I think we should forgive Lisa....I think she really regrets what she did......" Michael said. "But Cristy...you know that.....Lisa will not compare to you....I'll promise you that..."

   "I trust you Michael...." Crystal said smiling.

    "Crystal  I think Michael needs some rest now..." Mrs. Ross said, coming behind Crystal to wheel her away.

Crystal nodded. "Get better Mike. All you need to do now is handle that Tommy Matola guy. "

Michael smiled. "Yeah.......L. O. L."

Crystal laughed as she was wheeled out of his room.