FOURTEEN

I drove to Connecticut in record time. When I got to Shane's place, he looked broken. "I'm an idiot," he said by way of greeting. I couldn't help but agree.

"Tell me everything you know," I told him.

"There's not much. Stephanie came by and said she just wanted to take her out for a little while, some girl time to get to know each other. She's a kid, Michael. She's my kid. I never thought Steph would hurt her." He was frantic now. "What do we do?"

"You do nothing. Stay here. They'll eat you alive, Shane. You're the only McMahon with a somewhat pure heart. You'd be a perfect sacrifice for them. Stay safe. I'm going after her."

"You can't go alone! It's too dangerous."

"There's no other choice. We don't have time to wait. Stephanie's had her for too long already." I tried not to panic. Panicking wouldn't help her.

"They could kill you, Michael."

"If it means she's safe, that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. I'm leaving. I'll find her. Just stay here. I'll be in touch."

I left his house quickly. I didn't know where she was, but I figured I could track her pretty easily. I focused on her energy and tried to find her. That didn't work, so I changed my focus. Wherever she was, the bad guys had her. Tracking them might be my best bet.

I focused my attention on Khoya, who I figured wouldn't be as good at hiding his energy as some of the others. The guy was a dangerous ball of rage, and that gave off a specific signature. I found it quickly enough, and he wasn't too far away. I followed his trail.

When I arrived, I knew I was in the right place. I began searching for any sign of Abigail, but found nothing. I could hear the thoughts of some of the people nearby.

They'd better keep their hands to themselves, Stephanie thought. We're supposed to recruit her, and I don't think she'll be too willing to join our side if they try to molest her. I also suspect she'll destroy them before they get anywhere.

I knew Stephanie was probably right. Abigail could defend herself. The problem was, the bad guys really might try to hurt her, or God forbid do what Stephanie was thinking and that terrified me. The idea of anyone even thinking of doing that to Abigail made me want to kill everyone.

Little brat isn't so tough now, Khoya thought. I searched deeper, desperate to know what he'd done to her. I could see what he saw. Abigail was alive. She was sitting in a dark room, her back to a corner, staring at the rest of the room in case a threat appeared. She had pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. She didn't look hurt, but it was obvious she was frightened.

I'm coming, Abby, I silently promised. I hoped she could hear me.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get by the magic surrounding the place. I knew I'd never find her on my own. There was only one choice here. I couldn't catch them by surprise. I had to do more than that. And so, I devised the brilliant plan of allowing them to capture me. It was dangerous and incredibly stupid, but it was the only way I'd gain access into the building where they were holding her.

I let my energy radiate. Sure enough, they sensed it. Khoya was the one who came out after me. "You're a fool," he informed me. He was probably right about that in this instance, but this was literally the only plan I had. I knew it was dangerous. I knew I'd get hurt. I also knew it was the only way I could get near Abigail, and that was the only thing that mattered.

Khoya attacked me quickly. He was a brutal guy by his very nature, and he didn't hold back. He hit me more times than I could count. I tried to defend myself. I had to fight if I wanted to live. The idea was to get captured, not killed. Unfortunately, Khoya had a superhuman strength unlike anything I'd ever seen before. He beat me mercilessly. I could feel my flesh bruising. Muscles screamed as his fists came down again and again. Some of my bones snapped and broke. I suspected something may have ruptured internally. I lost the ability to focus when my head got cracked open. There was blood, so much blood.

I collapsed, unable to fight any longer. Satisfied, Khoya picked me up like a fucking rag doll and carried me inside. He tossed me unceremoniously into a dark room that reminded me of a cell. It was damp. I suspected we were in a basement. It almost felt like a cave. He laughed as he closed the door and disappeared.

I don't know how long I was left there, alone, bleeding, and probably dying slowly. I do know it hurt like hell, but I did my best to think. I had to get out of that room. I had to get to Abigail, and this might be my only chance.

I shivered when the door opened and I heard a dark, cold chuckle. "Well, Goddamn, Son," a familiar voice drawled at me. "You look like shit."

Storm, I registered. I was officially fucked. If they'd sent in Storm, I wasn't getting out of there alive.

He crouched beside me. "Damnit, Michael," he mumbled. "What did you think you were going to accomplish by coming here alone like that?" I didn't answer him. "Getting caught intentionally? You're insane. Khoya could have killed you. I'm not sure why he didn't."

"It's not like you care," I pointed out.

Storm shook his head. Then he pulled out a flask and said, "Drink this."

"No thank you. I'm doing just fine sober."

"It ain't booze, you moron. It's an elixir. It will heal you a little bit. Drink it."

I stared at him. "Why the fuck should I trust you?"

"You really haven't figured it out yet? I know my shield is good, but damn, I fooled the best telepath we have!" He laughed. "I'm a double agent, Michael."

"You're Team Baddie's number two guy. No way you're not evil."

"I'm damn good at my job. If I was evil, I wouldn't have cleared Angle and Aries out so y'all could come in and try to save little Spud."

"Wait, you knew?"

" 'Course I knew! I sensed y'all as soon as you got close. I tried to make it easier for you. I tried to protect James, too, as much as I could. The thing is, when you're as high up as I am, you have to do things you don't like to protect your cover."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "But... You were there that day."

"Yes, and I didn't touch any of you, remember? I just tried to help in whatever subtle way I could." He took off his hat and bowed his head. "Michael, I am so sorry about Emily. I liked that girl. She had spirit! She deserved better than what she got. If I could have saved her, I would have, but I wasn't there when it happened."

I nodded. I could tell he was telling the truth. "I believe you..."

"But I'll be damned... Damned if I let anything like that happen to that little girl of hers."

"Wait... How can you help?"

"That's easy. Drink the damn elixir and we can talk. It won't heal you fully, Michael. Not even halfway. But it will clear your head and give you back complete access to your psychic abilities."

I knew I had to take a chance and do as he said. I downed the drink, which tasted like a nasty mix of bitter pineapples and minty candy canes. It was possibly the strangest thing I've ever consumed, but it did the trick, and within seconds, my mind started to clear. "Thank you," I finally said.

"You're welcome. Now hit me."

"What?"

"Hit me. Hard. A few times. Make it look convincing."

"I'm confused."

"You're going to escape, Michael. I'm going to try to fight you, but you will overpower me and kick my ass. Then, you're going to run down that hallway there, go eleven doors, and break into that eleventh room. Little Miss Abigail is in there waiting for you. Be careful, though. She won't be unguarded. This is the best I can do for you."

"It's more than enough."

"Good. Now hit me."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

And so, I threw several punches at James Storm. Although the injuries were fairly superficial, I knew I hurt him a little. He took a deep breath and finally said, "Now knock my ass out."

"Storm-"

"Yes, I'm sure, and yes, I know it's going to suck. It's the only way to help you without blowing my cover and getting myself killed. Just do it. You won't get an opportunity like this again."

I hesitated, but finally hit him hard directly in his temple. It did the trick and he fell to the floor. I grabbed his keys and ran, counting doors as I went. When I reached the eleventh door, I opened it. I could see Abigail, still sitting the way she'd been earlier.

Horror came over her face as she screamed, "Michael, watch out!"

I spun around just in time to see the last person I ever wanted to see. Kurt Angle, the son of a bitch who'd murdered my girlfriend, was about to try to do the same to me. I moved just in time. We fought for a few minutes, with each of us getting hits in on the other, before he grabbed me and bashed my head against the wall. The injury was bad, especially on top of what remained of the injuries Khoya had caused. I fell to the floor.

I realized that Nelson, MVP, and Brandon were all in the room now, too. I was outnumbered. MVP came toward me, a ritual blade in his hands, and raised it above me. As it was coming down, Nelson grabbed it, snapping MVP's hand in the process.

"What are you doing?" MVP demanded. "You're on our side!"

"Not so much, actually," Nelson said. He'd apparently decided it was time to blow his cover. He turned the knife on MVP.

MVP fought hard and screamed like a bitch trying to avoid the knife. It pierced his flesh just as he used a second knife to slit Nelson's throat. I watched in horror as Nelson's blood poured out of his body. Together, they both bled out slowly. Their blood pooled around them, creating a strange puddle on the ground that seemed to summon a portal. The magic spilling out around them blended together and I knew their energies had become joined in a way that couldn't be undone. I also realized they were both dead.

Oh fuck, I thought. This isn't happening. We'd already had so many casualties, and now not only was that asshole MVP dead, but he'd taken Nelson with him.

Angle walked toward Abigail, ready to do God only knew what to her. I focused easily, thanks to the elixir, and put a protective veil around Abigail. It turned her instantly invisible, and nothing could touch her. It was taking all of my energy, my very life force, but I didn't care. Abigail was safe. That was the only thing that mattered.

Apparently, the leader of Team Baddie, who I will only call by his unofficial title, Chaos, was unhappy with what was happening, because he appeared then. He took the form of a giant snake and slithered around me. On another day, I'd have been able to fight, but seeing as how I was dying, I was a sitting duck. He lashed out at me and I began losing more blood. My energy was fading. I was going to die and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I watched as he worked some sort of spell around Nelson and MVP. He was fully focused on them, no longer caring enough to pay attention to me. Slowly but surely, their blood began flowing back into their bodies. He was probably only intending to save MVP now that Nelson had revealed he was a double agent, but because of how they'd been killed, to save one, he had to save both. Although they remained unconscious, I was relieved as their chests began rising and falling. Nelson was alive. Finally, some good news.

I was feeling faint. I had very little energy left, but I had to protect Abigail. Michael, someone whispered.

I searched for the source. I knew that voice. God, did I know it. And I had missed it so much...

Emily, I thought. I've made you up because I'm losing so much energy.

No, Michael, she said. I'm real. I'm here. I'm with you, Michael. I could see her then. She still looked beautiful, and she was radiating light. She took my hand and I realized I was seeing a ghost. That's not actually normal for me. I don't usually see dead people.

I'm dying, I thought.

Yes... But you can't, Michael. You have to stay here. You have to survive. You're meant to.

I miss you, I thought desperately.

I miss you, too, but I'm here. I'm always with you. You can't let go, Michael. Abby needs you. They all need you.

I'm trying... So weak...

Hang on. I promise help is on the way.

She vanished and I felt empty. I missed her so much. All I wanted was for her to come back. Dying wouldn't be so terrible if I was with her, although I was trying to live. I had to try. She was right. People still needed me.

Angle came toward me, determined to kill me. I assumed he thought if I died, he'd find Abigail, but my cloaking magic was strong. Even if I died, she'd remain hidden. I was ready for the attack when something unexpected happened.

Angle hit the floor. I had no idea how. I looked up and saw Brandon standing over him, a chair in his hands, and not the kind we used in the ring. This thing was much harder and would do much more damage.

Brandon knelt beside me. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I never meant for Emily to get hurt... I liked her... Please forgive me, Michael. I couldn't let him do this. I couldn't let him hurt a little girl... She's just a kid... It's not right."

I barely had the energy to do it, but I nodded. "I know," I told him. Brandon had been one of the good guys originally. He'd gone double agent at great personal risk to try and help Team Good, and somehow the leader of Team Baddie had gotten to him. He'd lost his way, but his heart was still good. He needed forgiveness or he'd never find his way back to us. "It's okay. You did good today."

He looked at me gratefully. "How can I help?" He asked.

"Just try to keep your leader away from me, okay? I can't... I can't defend myself right now."

He nodded. "You've got it."

I could feel the very last of my energy pouring out of me. I was going to die, but at least I knew Brandon would protect Abigail if it came down to it. I started fading away. I saw Emily again.

I love you, I thought.

I love you, too, she replied. Stop saying your goodbyes. You're going to make it.

I'm dying, Em. I can feel it.

Don't give up. You're better than that. I felt her arms come around me. I could feel her kiss me quickly. And then, I became distracted.

An army of angry wrestlers burst into the room. I spotted Ken, Jeff, Matt, James, Tommy, Mark, Jamie, Lauren, Wes, Eddie, and Drew. Brandon put his hands up so they'd know he wasn't the threat. Ken and James both looked to me and I managed to nod to verify that Brandon was on our side for today at least.

They surrounded Angle and Mr. Chaos. Angle was easier to attack, and they did. I saw the amount of blood he was losing and knew it would be a while before he got back up. It was when Chaos dove straight at my friends that I knew what I had to do.

I closed my eyes and opened the biggest portal I could conjure with my limited energy. It mildly amused me that of everyone there, it was Jamie and Lauren who kicked him hard so that he fell backward right into my portal. I sealed it before he could escape.

That was when I stopped breathing. My eyes rolled into the back of my head. My heart stopped. In a split second, I felt myself drop dead.

That should have been the end of the story. I know how this works. I've done it before in other lives, pushed myself too far and killed myself in an instant trying to save someone else. I always manage to save whoever I'm trying to, but I pay the price.

I felt my soul leave my body, but I didn't go anywhere. I could see Emily fully now. She grabbed my hand. "Don't go," she told me. "Stay right here."

"It's over, Em. I'm dead," I told her. "I overdid it, but at least he's gone. It will take a while for him to find his way back. They're safe."

"Just hold on to me. Please."

"Always." I wrapped my ethereal arms around her and kissed her. It wasn't the same as when we'd both been alive, but it was enough. This was a better way to remember her than kissing her dead body had been.

I shuddered as something shot through me. "What the hell was that?" I asked.

"Shhh. Just relax, my love," Emily whispered. She held me closer to her.

I felt it again. Abigail had reappeared now that she was safe. I saw her sobbing over me. "No!" She was crying. "Not Michael... Please... Please don't die! Don't leave me!"

And suddenly, I wanted to live, more than anything. I wanted to undo what I had done, but it was too late. I'd saved them, and it was worth it, but now I was dead. I couldn't fix that.

"It's alright, wee lass," Drew said gently.

"He's dead!" Abigail protested.

"Give me a chance, Lass." He touched my chest, and I felt it again, that sharp burst of energy shooting through me. "Don't ya dare go, Michael," he said. He closed his eyes and I felt him touching my soul. By the power of the many Underworlds in my domain, I call thee back! Return! He thought.

That was when I realized the truth about Drew Galloway. He wasn't just a damn good wrestler, an amazing guy, a Scottish superhero... He was a God. Like, literally. Drew had abilities beyond most of the rest of us, and he apparently had power over death.

I felt myself being pulled away from Emily. She nodded at me and said, "I love you. I'll always be here. Take care of her, Michael. Take care of our girl."

With a sharp jerk, my body began breathing and my heart began beating. My eyes opened up moments later. James and Abigail were both sobbing on me as I came around.

"Don't ever do that to me again!" Abigail shouted.

"I quite agree!" James added.

I pulled them closer to me. "I'm alright," I promised. "We're all okay now." I turned to Drew. "You're just full of secrets, huh?"

"Indeed," Drew said. "Welcome back, Lad."

"Thank you."

It was over. I held Abigail in my arms as she snuggled against me. I knew I had to take her back to Shane, but I wanted to enjoy at least a couple of minutes with her first.

James offered to drive us back to Shane. He stayed outside while I carried her to his door. She'd passed out in my arms from exhaustion.

Shane took one look at us and started to cry. "You're alive," he said. "Both of you..."

"Yeah," I said. "She's tired. Where can I put her down?"

He led me inside and to Abigail's bedroom. I tucked her in before heading back outside with him. He studied me. "You look like you've been to hell and back," he said finally.

"I have." I sighed. "She's safe now. Stephanie and the others are still out there, but I put a shield on her. It should last for a while..."

"I'll never be able to protect her, will I?" Shane asked suddenly.

"What?" I asked.

"I can't keep her safe. I love her. God, I love her. She's like this tiny adult and she's perfect and I can't believe she's mine, but... I can't protect her like you can, Michael."

"You need to learn. It's your job."

"I want to, but no matter what I do, it won't be enough... I understand it now, Michael. I screwed up, and I nearly got her killed, and then you nearly got killed trying to save her."

"Don't worry about me. I'm fine."

"She'll never be safe with me. My sister will always be after her." Shane started to cry, which was weird to witness. "I was wrong, Michael. Abigail belongs with you. Any man who'll risk his own life to protect a child is a good guardian for her, and although I'd have done it, too, I don't think I'd have been able to successfully rescue her. I'll have Sellie draw up the paperwork in the morning."

I was in shock and not sure I understood him. "What paperwork?" I asked.

He sighed. "I'm signing custody of Abigail over to you, Michael. You're the one she should be with. I know you'll keep my daughter safe." I could tell how much it hurt him to admit this. "I mean, if you're still willing to take her-"

"Of course I am!" I sighed with relief. "You're doing the right thing for her, Shane."

"Yeah, I finally am..." He looked at me. "Stay the night. I have the space and I think you should be here when she wakes up. Besides, you look like you need some rest."

Coming back from the dead probably has that effect on people, so I was sure he was right. "Okay," I said. "Thank you, Shane."

"No," he said. "Thank you Michael. You saved her life today."

He left me after that. I crawled into the bed in his guestroom and blacked out, finally giving in to my exhaustion. That night, my dreams were of Emily. She held me in her arms and we talked all night, although I can't remember most of what we talked about. When I woke up the following morning, for the first time since I'd lost her, I didn't feel quite so empty.