Flames engulfed him, and this time the pain was real. He wanted to scream, but could only listen as Jessie screamed, she too unable to move. James could just make out the scenery around them. Back, again, in front of the vacant building. Had they woken up? No. Impossible. He and Jessie would be seperated then. They were all still around them, and as they stood there, Damien began to sing, though it sounded more like wailing.
Something flashed before his eyes, but what? A memory?...He had remebered hearing that one's life flashes before they're eyes before they're about to die. Was that what this was? Or was this Jessie's way of fighting it?
James could feel Jessie finally move, arch her back up as the flames conseumed her. A thought crossed his mind ;Was he holding her back with doubts and fears? He was supposed to help her, and help her he must. He began to try to send thoughts to her, to uplift her,I love you Jess, I'm here for you, Don't give up. Another flash.
You can beat him Jess, you can do it! I'll help you, I'm here, He thought. Another flash. When he realized what it was at last, it came to him, as if he were there, in the past, with Jessie, feeling the pain.
Damien took her roughly by the hand, an older boy struggling with him, trying to help Jessie escape from his grasp, and failing as the door was slammed in his face and locked. He through her onto his oversized bed and...began to molest her. James couldn't move, and he wasn't there, with little Jessie, but he could here the screams the present Jessie emitted, could feel them welling up in his own throat.It's not real, Jessie. He's using your power against you! You can beat him, you can do it!
Back in the flames. Could she hear his thoughts? James could here her voice in his head, and it was shaky, on the verge of tears. She screamed out loud.
Don't cry, Jessie, Don't cry, I'm here, we'll get through this. He thought."James!" She nearly screamed outloud.
A flash, a moment where the pain disappeared, where the flames were gone, a glimpse outside, but only a glimpse, only a moment."I don't want to leave, I don't want to forget..."Jessie trailed offJessie?It'll be OK. I'm here, I love you, Jessica, Don't give up, I won't give up on you.
"Just let me die! Just let me die! Just...Just It was almost as if she had fallen asleep in the middle of her sentence.Wake up, don't give up, we'll do this together.
"The pain must feel like snow,
There you go,
There you go."
Damien had finished his song, but they still stood over them. James looked up. A light seemed to be opening the sky. Before he knew it, he and Jessie had seperated and were falling up, towards the rip in the sky. Was this death, or just another game?
This particular chapter is also based on a David Bowie song, on the very same album ("outside")as the chapter "The Laugh Motel". It's called "Wishful Beginnings, and all of what Damien sings are those lyrics, word for word; David Bowie's, not mine! ^_^.