Cain's POV

James had chosen the rope...

I bent down next to them and waited for Analiese to let go of him. Accepting his fate, he whispered for her to let go. But I knew she wasn't going to willingly, so I grabbed Analiese and threw her off James and onto the concrete floor. It made some sort of cracking sound when she hit the ground. She let out such a horrible scream...I never would have done that... But I can't take it anymore. James shot up and cried "ANALIESE!!" while reaching out for her. But I had already grabbed him and pulled him back down. James began to cry but I ignored him, and rapped the rope around his neck. I began to pull and I could almost see the life drain from his eyes.

"What are you doing?! You can't do this! This is wrong and you know it! Stop!"

"I can't take it anymore! I can't take it anymore! I want it to end!"

I pulled harder out of frustration, as that is usually how I handle my problems: punching, kicking, and throwing things. But in this case, I was physically hurting someone, which I hadn't done since...the memories that followed from that moment have driven me insane for the past several years. Taking away everything I ever had, taking away the one thing I wanted. Why didn't they visit me? Why couldn't I find them? But....my pain and anger was washed away in a short moment as I looked down at me strangling my son...

Elijah...?

No...James...

-Elijah

-James

-Elijah

No! It's James!

Elijah...

One moment, I would see my son's golden blonde hair and tear filled eyes, and the next, I would see an unfamiliar boy that was far too similar. Back and forth, and back and forth, and back again...I would see him...but only for a moment. My mind tormenting me like it never had before...and it wasn't going to stop...

As the life drained from his eyes, and the color from his face, he looked at me in the eyes and with as much breath as he could conjure up, he said, "...He..lp...her..Cain..."

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"Dad! Could you help me with my Science?" Elijah yelled, as I was grilling the chicken for dinner.

"After dinner buddy. I'm grilling the chicken right now." I yelled back. Other than the cars, the sizzling of the chicken, and the birds singing, all was silent and peaceful. A beautiful summer day. But in that moment, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned my head to see Candace looking at me over my shoulder.

"Go help him Cain, I'll grill the chicken. He's only stuck on a few problems. Besides, you're much better at science than I am." Candace insisted.

"Are you sure?" I asked. I didn't want to leave her to do everything by herself. But at same time, Elijah needs me to help him. Candace nodded and so I smiled, thanked her, and went inside to help Elijah.

"Alright, whatcha need?" I asked, smiling down at my beautiful boy.

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Memories....hallucinations....what's happening? Elija-...James slowly turned his head toward Analiese and weakly smiled.

"..I...love you...Analiese..."

"I love you daddy!" Elijah told me.

I started to pant as my mind was being violently and mentally torn to shreds. Torn between the different voices in my head that are both screaming at me, telling me what to do, telling me what's right. But James said one last thing that I would never forget...

"Please don't...Jet..." James pleaded with his last breath...

It felt like a stab to the heart...my mind flooded with memories, emotions...

"Hey Jet!"

"Jet...what's wrong bud?"

"What do yo think you were doing Jet?"

"This isn't what Jet wanted, this isn't what Candace wanted...so why? You want to them to be happy, don't you? Would this have made them happy...?"

I screamed, let go of the rope, and tumbled backward, my heart racing. I stared at James's limb, cold body...what have I done...? What have I done?! Is he...? All of the sudden, everything was quiet. I don't mean there wasn't any sound, I mean...there are no voices. For the first time in a decade, they've left me alone. Elijah stood next to James' body, looking at me. He looks so happy. He smiled happily and nodded at me. A tear weld up in my eyes and slowly fell down my face, and as I tried to blink it away, he disappeared. I was in such shock, but I snapped out of it and sat next to James. I grabbed his small wrist and checked his pulse.

It was so faint...but he's alive...

I gently picked him up and ran upstairs. I ran straight out of the house and into the garage, unlocked my car, and placed him in the back seat. "I'm so sorry..." I whispered. I zipped back around and into the house. Analiese was still laying on the ground, still screaming and crying. Screaming and crying from both her wounds, and that she thinks her brother is dead. I knelt down next to her and tried to block her up, but she saw me and screamed even louder. Her wrist is broken. She hasn't moved since I threw her. I started crying along with her, repeatedly apologizing, "I'm so sorry, Analiese...I'm so sorry...so so sorry..." But I can't apologize enough. Half of her body was red, scratched up, bruised, and a little bloody. I can't believe I did that to her. I tried picking her up again but my touch hurt and she continued to scream. I had to pick her up regardless and carry her to the car, to her brother.

"You're going to be okay. We're going to the hospital."