*Dan's POV*

I was sat talking to Chris (from a safe distance) when my phone rang. I didn't think I got service anymore, but I guess Mum hadn't cut it from my phone yet. Excusing myself quickly, I went to the bedroom and picked it up.

"Hello?" I asked into the receiver. 

"Dan." Phil's voice whimpered into the line.

"Phil? Why are you calling me? Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to let you know I love you."

"Phil, you never call me. Where are you?"

"I love you so goddamn much, you have no idea."

"Phil, have you been drinking?"

"I was thinking that if we weren't trapped in this forest, I'd be marrying you, and I don't care that we're fifteen. You're the one I want."

"Stop, Phil, tell me what's going on."

"You're the best thing that's happened to me. I love you so much. Never change, love. Never change. You'd think I wouldn't know, but I promise I will."

"Phil?"

There was silence.

Then he spoke.

"Goodbye, Danny."

The line clicked dead.

A wave of panic set in. By the way he was speaking to me, it sounded like his life was at stake. I ran back into the sitting room, scared as hell. Chris seemed alarmed by my state, and he asked what was up.

"Chris, I think Phil's going to die. Where is he?" I was shaking so hard I could barely speak.

His eyes widened. "Grotto," he said hurriedly, "go quickly. Should I-" 

I cut him off. "Please." 

We arrived at the grotto within minutes to find Phil standing across from Marlhy and Ava. He had the most demented look on his face, something I'd never seen before. The two girls were cowering in terror, holding onto each other for dear life. Their hands were linked as well, which couldn't even register as cute in the moment. All I could see was the pocketknife in Phil's left hand, sun glinting off of it so brightly it nearly blocked my vision.

"Phil, you can't kill us!" Ava shouted. "We're the ones that have to assemble the potion. If you kill us, we'll die in vain! You won't be able to save Dan!"

Phil merely shook his head. "It's not you I'm killing. Your hearts wouldn't satisfy the potion as well as mine would."

It hit me.

(SUICIDE TRIGGER ABORT ABORT)

Phil was going to kill himself.

(OKAY WE'RE GOOD FOR NOW)

I couldn't keep quiet anymore. "Phil! No!" I screamed, charging toward him. Marlhy turned back to face me and yelled "Viir stillos," causing my muscles to go stiff and my body to tighten up. I couldn't move. 

"Stop, Dan. Let us explain." Ava said. She was clutching onto Marlhy's hand tighter than ever now, her knuckles going white as she looked as though she would cry.

Phil stepped forward and met eyes with me, dropping the knife. I nearly wailed, but as I opened my mouth to speak, he shook his head. "Dan, the last ingredient is a sliver of heart. I can't kill anyone, I just can't. I have to do this for you. I want to prove just how much I love you."

I sniffed once and sighed. "I love you too, Phil. I'll miss you dearly." I mumbled.

Before Phil could turn away, I yelled to Marlhy, "Set me free a moment."

She obliged. "Griat."

As soon as I was free, I wrapped my arms around Phil and kissed him, hard. It hurt my whole body to do this, but I needed one last release before he was gone for good. I couldn't tell what burned worse - my body, or my heart.

I began to cry into the kiss, and he did as well. This didn't stop me from deepening the kiss and pulling him closer to me. He accepted it.

Finally, the pain was too much to bear and I fell back, noticing Marlhy and Ava were tightly hugging and sobbing as well. Chris sat on the ground beside them, staring up into the sky with a furious expression on his face.

When the numbing sensation was gone, I stood back up. "We didn't even get to find out who tops." I joked. Phil smirked ever so slightly, still crying. "See you around, Danny. I'll make sure to give you wet dreams about me every night."

He turned around and picked his knife back up, staring at it sadly for a moment. Clutching it tightly in his hand (and drawing a little blood, although that hardly mattered now), he looked back at me and mouthed, "I love you." I gave him a hand heart back.

(SUICIDE TRIGGER AGAIN I'M SORRY)

Chris came over to me and whispered for me not to look. I obliged and squeezed my eyes shut as tightly as I could.

They informed me later that he next whispered "For Bear," before slitting his throat eight times and falling to the ground, passing out first before dying seconds later.

I'd never forget those words for the rest of my life.

Neither would he.

TRIGGER OVER YOU CAN OPEN YOUR EYES

IT'S NOT OVER YET I PROMISE

I'M SO SORRY FOR THIS