Twenty-Six

I opened my eyes slowly, breathless with pain.

My eyes widened as I remembered Jamie. I shook Popkins and Mel off, they were trying to move me. I held Jamie in my arms, tears streaming down my face

"Cassie, sweetheart, we need to..."

"No. No, no. Please tell me this isn't happening."

I struggled to sit up, thunderbolts of pain still shooting through my body. My throat burned, nausea sweeping over me as I realised my arm was covered in Jamie's blood.

"Just let us move you, then we can see to Jamie. Come on darling. We can help him."

I shook my head, then closed my eyes, trying to get myself together. Popkins was being firm and gentle. I trusted the wizard with all my heart and if he thought there was a way to help him, I had to believe it. I kissed Jamie, on his forehead, pain searing through me once more. But this was a different kind of pain. This was heart break.

I tried to stand up, but my legs were shaking. Popkins and Mel grabbed an arm and gently guided me up. I leant heavily on Mel while Popkins magiced up a sofa and lifted Jamie easily, placing him on the soft, red pillows. I knew he had picked red so the blood would blend in and it wouldn't look as terrifying, but it didn't help.

Miles was silent, as he sat next to Dianne's body in his wheelchair, watching for any signs of movement. I didn't understand what I had seen before I passed out. I didn't get what Maisie going in to Dianne's body meant. But right now, selfishly, I only cared about Jamie.

My breath caught as Popkins lifted Jamie's arm up, more blood pouring out of his wound from the movement. I shook my head while Mel kept a steadying arm around me, soothing me.

"Cassie, tell me anything you know about the weapon, I can see it's not an ordinary knife."

He nodded over at the knife that had just plunged through Jamie, now laying on the floor near Dianne and Miles.

"She.. she said it...it...." My voice was shaking, I was distraught. I didn't know how I was supposed to form normal sentences when Jamie was laying motionless in front of me. Somehow, I had to get it together. "The knife was...was designed to..." I took a breath, knowing the next words would be awful to say. "It was specifically designed to kill him."

Saying the words literally sent shooting pains through my body once more. My legs started to buckle, but Mel kept a hold of me. Popkins shot Mel a worried glance. I closed my eyes momentarily, not wanting to think about what the look meant.

"The knife seems to have plunged in nearer to his right shoulder than anything else. It's missed the main organs, it's even missed arteries and veins. If it were any other knife, the wound would be easy to treat." He examined him some more, his wand held limply in his hand. "But..."

My head swam, I could barely see from the tears clouding my eyes.

"But?....Oh Popkins, don't say but. Please...there has to be..."

The wizard shook his head, letting out a huge puff of air. He rose up from the sofa. I felt the moment my heart tore in two as he wiped a tear from his eye. He muttered something and flicked his wand. Bandages and medical wipes appeared in his hands.

"Cassie, I would do anything to save him. I would give my life before any of yours. You are all family to me. You know that if I thought there was a way, I.... I would." He sniffed, and took his spectacles off, wiping his eyes. "The only thing I can do is stop his bleeding and take the pain away. I'm so sorry darling girl."

I bit back a sob and stepped forward, enveloping Popkins in a hug. I had to be brave. I had to have courage. I knew that I wouldn't be able to survive for more than a day or two without Jamie. I had made up my mind that I would be joining him soon. But I would get my revenge first. I kissed Popkins on the cheek, wiping my eyes free from tears. I had to be brave for Jamie now.

"I know you would save him if you could." I took the bandages and wipes from his hands. "Please, let me."

He nodded gently, then gestured for Mel to join him over where Miles was, probably to give Jamie and I a moment.

Jamie. Could it really be true that there would be no more of his light in my life. I took a deep breath and sat down on the sofa, putting my hand on his chest. His breathing was shallow and laboured. The blood was still oozing out of him.

"This isn't going to hurt baby. I just need to bandage you up, like that first day we met and you bandaged my hand for me."

My voice was shaking, but I was determined not to cry. I got a couple of wipes and dabbed at his skin softly,wiping the angry red blood away. The wound was deep and sore. I unravvelled a bandage and gently lifted his head so I could wrap it around his chest, creating a tighter pressure on it when it pressed on his shoulder. I wrapped it expertly, wondering how I had the knowledge to do it.

Now the blood was cleared, he looked peaceful. His golden eyes were closed, and the thought of never seeing them open again was too much to bare. I shook the thought out of my head and focused on Jamie again, my fingers running down his torso, tracing the scars that scattered his body.

"I love you Jamie. And I will see you very soon, I promise. But I have to get justice first. This won't be for nothing. I will use my last breath avenging your death."

I couldn't stop the tears now. I bent my head down, and gave him a soft, slow kiss on his lips that already felt cooler than they usually did. The grief hit me so hard, it was almost like a tidal wave sweeping me off my feet. I sobbed and held his Sapphire in my hand, my tears falling on to his chest. I gasped as one of my tears hit his gem and it glowed just slightly.

I stood up and ripped my Sapphire from my neck, taking the smooth stone off the black string.

"Popkins, quick. Come here."

Popkins, Mel and Miles came rushing over to me.

I held my Sapphire in my hand, daring to hope.

"My Sapphire. Maisies Sapphire saved Jamie the time he was ghosted. It was like a piece of his heart. What if we put my Sapphire inside him? Would it work the same way?"

Popkins eyes widened, he put his hand on his chin.

"Yes, yes I think it might do. Cassie that's genius, we might just be able to...."

Mel was frowning as she held her hands up, interrupting us.

"Wait a minute guys, Maisie was able to put it in his chest because she's a ghost. It sunk in to him because it had been touched by her, making it a ghostly presence."

I shrugged.

"Fine, Maisie can put my Sapphire into Jamie then. It's easy."

Popkins, Miles and Mel all looked at each other, not able to meet my eye.

"Cassie, Maisie isn't here to help. She's not going to make it."

I actually laughed and shook my head.

"Don't be silly, I saw her during all the commotion. She's fine, she floated into Dianne's body... she's..."

I looked at them all. Their eyes were full of symapthy. Mel was the one to speak.

"While we were giving out posters, we started talking about if one of us got hurt and what would happen. Maisie said that there was a way she could sink into Dianne's body and wake up as her for a few hours, convincing the rest of the authorities to call off the witch hunt on us and let us live. They will listen to her, they will think it's Dianne and she's the head."

I narrowed my eyes, not quite understanding.

"So why wasn't this just done from the start?"

Popkins took over now.

"It was always a last resort. We tried to persuade Maisie not to because it means certain death for her. She already gave her Sapphire to Jamie when he was ghosted, and the time she saved us at The Coal Jailhouse by morphing into one of the guards zapped most of her energy. I warned her that if she did it again, she would be dead within a few hours. She would never come back. She said that it didn't matter. She said as long as she could find the strength to use Dianne's body long enough to keep us safe, then that was all she cared about."

I shook my head in disbelief, not wanting to believe it. Maisie would be officially gone in a few hours and Jamie.... I ran back to him, clutching his hand. My heart hurt at the thought of having hope once more, only for it to be crushed.

"This is it then."

My words were small and weak. Tinny and empty.

"Is his heart still beating?"

I looked at Miles, nodding slowly.

"Yes. It's... It's getting fainter."

Miles wheeled himself next to me and leant close, so only I could hear him.

"Do not try to stop what I'm about to suggest, I want this."

I furrowed my brow, confused as he cleared his throat and looked at Popkins.

"I checked out your history Popkins. You're an impressive wizard, even more impressive than what I once thought."

Popkins raised an eyebrow.

"Uh...thanks?"

Miles gave a small nod.

"You are probably considered the most powerful wizard in The Emeralds. Even more powerful than Kitty. You can do pretty much everything except for reverse severe injuries and of course...prevent death. I know you've been practicing for years to master those spells, but nothing has worked for you yet."

Popkins looked a bit flustered, and folded his arms across his chest.

"What are you getting at, Miles?"

"I know for a fact that you can turn Rubies into Emeralds. Emeralds into Diamonds. Diamonds into Rubies. You've kept it quiet but you've done it before when you were trying to help some people out." Mel and I looked at Popkins in shock. He shuffled on his feet, not knowing where to look. Miles continued. "I bet you have the ability to turn a Sapphire into a Diamond."

I gulped, suddenly realising what he was getting at. Popkins put his hand up to silence him, but Miles continued regardless.

"If you turn me into a Diamond, everything will be OK. Well...not everything, Maisie will still be gone, but we can save Jamie."

I stood up, still clutching my Sapphire in one hand, Jamie's hand in the other.

"Miles...no....you can't possibly think that it's a good idea."

He shrugged, then met my eyes.

"Do you want Jamie to live?"

"Of...of course I do but....but..."

I didn't know what to say. Miles was determined. His jaw was set in a hard line.

"Even if Maisie was here and you gave up your Sapphire for Jamie, he would live and you would get weaker and weaker without your stone. But if Popkins turns me into a Diamond, Jamie can have my stone because I won't need it AND I'll be able to sink it into his chest because I'll be a ghost."

I sat there in stunned silence. I didn't know what to say. I would give up my life so that Jamie could live, but I didn't expect any of my friends to give up so much. It was too much to take in.

"Miles, that's a big decision. You won't be able to touch anyone again. Unless you find courtship with another ghost of course, then it's like any other relationship. If you give up your Sapphire, you will be fully Diamond. Not half and half like Maisie was, but a full afterlife member."

Popkins voice was stern. Miles nodded, running a hand through his hair.

"I know. But look... I've found out that all of my family are Diamonds. I told you I wanted to visit. If I became a Diamond, I'd be able to walk again."

"You'd float and hover actually, ghosts don't really walk."

Miles chose to ignore Mel and carried on speaking.

"It's really a win win. I can be reunited with my family, Jamie gets to live and Cassie doesn't have to sacrifice her stone. As long as I don't have to give up hanging out with you guys, I don't see what the problem is. I'm doing it as much for me as I am Jamie. Please Popkins."

The wizard looked from me to Mel, then at Jamie laying there cold, fading away more as the minutes ticked by. Popkins went over to Miles and bent down, putting a friendly hand on his shoulder.

"If you are certain, then I will change you."

Miles nodded.

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

Popkins held his wand out. I let go of Jamie's hand and threw myself on Miles lap, wrapping my arms around him. He hugged me back as I sobbed on his shoulder.

"I can't live with the guilt if you are just doing this for me Miles. Please understand what you are committing to."

He squeezed me, then sighed, pushing me back to get a better look at me.

"I'm doing it for me. And you. And Jamie. I'm OK with it. I want to do it. The only thing that I ask if you is that you will always be my friend. That you won't suddenly desert me when I'm a ghost."

I hugged him again, kissing him on the cheek.

"Oh Miles, I would never, could never desert you. You mean so much to me. You know you do."

He smiled gently, then to my surprise, kissed me on the lips. It was soft and only lasted a couple of seconds. He opened his eyes, the deep blues searching me.

"I hope Jamie won't be angry at me for that one. I... I just had to kiss you once in my life."

He pushed me gently so I stood up, then looked at Popkins.

"I'm ready. Do it quickly please, I don't think Jamie has much time."

"Miles is ready for a journey to inspire,

He no longer wishes to be a Sapphire,

If it wasn't for him, Jamie would be toast,

So please dear wand, make him a ghost."

Mel and I glanced at each other, both no doubt thinking that the spell was very laid back for a moment so serious.

I watched, feeling slightly sick as Miles closed his eyes, and his see through afterlife form started to rise from his old body. Miles was now shimmering as he hovered in the air above us, doing a quick somersault.

"Whoah! This is so cool."

He laughed as he ran a hand through his floppy blonde hair. It wasn't quite blonde anymore now though, more silvery white. He was wearing clothes befitting of the afterlife, similar to what Drew had worn when we met him. Ripped white trousers and a holey white T-shirt, swaying as he moved.

"Cassie, sit with Jamie."

Miles voice was echoing, haunting. He pointed at the couch and I did as I was told. Miles took his Sapphire stone off the black string around his neck. The Sapphire was whole and solid. It hadn't turned see through like Miles.

Miles hovered just above Jamie's chest. He held the stone between his fingers. It would be the last thing he was able to hold properly now he was a ghost, unless he was in his own generation of course.

"Come back to us mate, Cassie's waiting for you."

I watched, my eyes wide, as Miles dropped the stone on to his chest. It disappeared inside him, just like the time Maisie had sacrificed her stone. Miles flew back, ushering Mel and Popkins to give me some space.

I held my breath and clutched Jamie's hand as tight as I could.

It felt like hours, but must only have been a minute, before Jamie's heart started thudding normally again.

His eyelids fluttered and before he even had the chance to open them properly, I flung myself on top of him, sobbing harder than I ever had before.