Chapter 23

Layla 's hand dropped. Her head buzzed. She slowly turned her head afraid of what was in wait for her. Snow snarled, hitting her hooves hardly on the ground.

Her eyes widened, her hands cupped over her mouth. "This can't be..." She whispered.

"Come on Adeena. Why do you look at me like that?" The stranger stepped closer to her. Her knees buckled. Her eyes met his blue starry eyes.

"Casper..." she mumbled. His thumb brushed her cheek. Layla flinched at the warm sensation spreading ove eher cheek.

"Are you finally happy that I am alive?" He whispered, rounding his thumb over her cheek.

"Yes... Yes!" She shouted, placing her hand over his hand on her cheek. "yes!" she screamed and sobbed.

"But do you know how I died?"

"No.... No..." she sniffed.

"Why did you die?" He asked.

Her eyes shot upward. "I.... I..." Layla was lost in words. Her lips trembled to find the answer.

"I dont remember..." Layla looked disbelivingly at Casper. His black bangs over his starry blue eyes. His dimple right when he smiles.

"OH Adeena. Let me help you remember!" He whispered and closed the distance between them. His forehead rested over hers.

Her eyes screamed pain, memories flashed in her.

"It can't be..." she pushed Casper away as she sat clasping her chest with her hand.

"Yes it is. The truth is.....always painful to face" Casper smirked.

"You are not the Casper I know" She snarled. Snow cowered behind Layla.

"Well You maybe right. Because....." He crouched in front of her, his eyes gazing at hers. "he is dead...."he finished.

"No! No! This must be a dream" Layla gripped her head, shaking her head.

The stranger pulled her hand away and pushed her into him. He clasped her around him, his face buried deep into her neck.

"Adeena. Do you want to get up from this dream? The dream where I am alive. We could be together forever" He whispered, his nose tracing her collarbone.

Layla pushed him away, her eyes welled with tears, her nose red. " If it was Caspie, I would have... But you are not him. Who are you?"

He chuckled, "Seriously adeena. Aren't you just delusional of who I really am? But to be honest, this is me. The real Casper you know. You are just afraid to accept the truth. Correct me if I am wrong."

Layla looked between his eyes.

"Poor Adeena. Couldn't face the real truth and hides behind her own imagination" He stepped closer and this time Layla didn't push him away when he hugged her.

Layla's body went numb. The truth.... Wasn't she always denying it?. The stranger bit her neck and tore the flesh away. Layla stood still, her eyes blurry, her head buzzing with noises.

"Layla!" A voice snapped her attention back to the real world.

"Layla!!"

Layla screamed in agony at the burning sensation in her neck. She tried pulling him away from her but his grip tightened around her.

Her vision blurred. Snow raced into the darkness leaving her.

___________

Jack screamed her name. He frantically searched the cave but in vain, found no one.

Suddenly, he heard hooves. "Snow!" He shouted and he saw snow running toward him.

"isn't that layla's horse?" Kay asked. Jack ignored him. Somehow, a horse accepted him and here he followed.

Snow ran in circles around Jack and Kay then sprinted into the dark.

"Follow her!" Jack shouted and reigned with his horse into the darkness.

As he dove deeper, he heard a deafening fountain. His eyes adjusted to the light and he saw a magical fountain flowing and two crouched figures in front of it.

"Layla!" He reached toward her. His heart skipped when he saw a greasy black looking monster devouring Layla from her neck. His body froze.

"Die you monster!" Kay slasjed a blade at the monster. The monster cried and jumped into the lake.

Layla dropped dead as soon as the monster let her go. Kay cupped Layla up.

"You idiot. What are you doing? Hurry up and help me" Kay shouted. Jack flinched and hurried to help him.

"Careful, do not let her go" Kay warned. Jack one arm wrapped around her waist, his other hand gripped the reign. Her back over his chest.

Jack nodded and speeded off. Kay followed in his horse with snow following closely behind.

_______

"An emergency!" Jack burst through the door carrying Layla bridal style.

Nurses rushed to their aid and carried Layla away from them and into the intensive care unit.

A healer burst out, looking panick. "He is a girl"

Jack rolled his eyes, "Yes she is. Is that a problem?" he snapped.

"No... But he is registered as a boy..."

"Seriously don't you have any conscience. She could be princess away from your shitty place" Kay growled.

"I am sorry, sir. But it is out of protocol we are just following it" the nurse replied.

"Look miss, you are a lady too. I hope you heal her" Jack pleaded frustratingly.

"No sir. We can't. I am sorry. Please tell your goodbyes before she passes away" she bowed and turned to leave.

The door burst open, pouring in a group of soldiers and a red looking Chris.

"where is that bitch? I have contacted the kingdom and they are here to take her" Chris shouted.

"She is injured. I belive she will die soon" The nurse replied.

Chris laughed, "OH my goodness. Karma is a loop, isn't it?"

"Treat her" a voice boomed the room. Jack's eyes travelled the room and landed on him.

His blue suit embroided gold, stars hanging over his shoulder. His brown hair and green eyes isn't something to be ignored.

"Sir Liam" Jack bowed. Kay raised his eyebrows at him. "Umm hi, sir Liam" Kay rubbed his nape.

"Treat her if you don't want to be killed" He snarled.

The nurse chilled, her breath suffocating.

Jack thought,'His magic is so strong'

"But sir. I can't. It's too late" she whimpered.

"Dont give me excuses. If you don't save my sister, it would be too late for you. I hope I don't have to make that decision."