21:

--

Later that night, Annie crawled in bed next to Jing. Julia was in her bed and Mao was asleep on the couch.

It was warm, but Annie snuggled with Jing anyway. “That was a great thing you did.”

“I may hate the Syndicate,” he said. “But if I do one thing for them, it should be this.”

Annie felt his body shudder. She sat halfway up. “Jing…”

“Shh.” Jing looked peaceful. “I think it’s time…”

“No!” Annie bolted onto her haunches. “Jing, don’t!”

“Annie, put my hand on your cheek,” he said. “I want to feel you. I want you to be the last thing I feel.”

The tears poured down Annie’s face as she moved his hand. “Jing, don’t leave me. Please, I love you. I can’t live without you!”

“But you will Annie. You have to go on. You can do it, Annie. I know. You’re a survivor. Just know that you were the best part of my life. I love you Annie. I’ve always loved you.” His eyes began to glaze. “They were right.”

“What? What?”

“I do look like my mother.”

Annie gasped and threw herself on his chest. “No Jing, don’t go!” She sobbed. “I can’t live without you, I just can’t!”

“I’ll always be with you. And I’ll come back for you when it’s time. I promise.”

Annie wept onto his body. “I love you, Jing.”

--

Jing was buried on the last day of September. It was pouring rain as Annie knelt in front of his grave. The mourners had all left and only Mao remained. Julia, Vicious, and Spike hadn’t even shown up. In fact, Annie hadn’t seen any of the three since Jing died. Vicious had passed by her into the apartment when she had finally left, but he didn’t say a word, or even look at her.

Rain soaked Annie’s hair and face as she cried. “How will I live without him?”

Mao knelt down and put his hands on her shoulders. “Annie…” she didn’t respond. “Anastasia, Jing may be gone, but you will always be my daughter.” She nodded numbly as he stood up. “Come to my house when you’re ready. I’ll have tea.”

Annie continued to weep. Someone approached the other side of the grave and she looked up. “Spike?”

Blood poured from every orifice in his body and numerous wounds. One of his eyes was closed shut and he held a bouquet of roses. “Sorry I missed the funeral.”

“Spike?” Annie nearly toppled as she jumped up. “What on Mars happened to you!”

“Got into a little shootout with some other Dragons,” he said causally. He then added as an afterthought, “I’m ‘dead’ now.”

They both knew what that meant. Annie clutched her temples. “Everything’s changing!” She cried. “I can’t stand it!”

“Life is change, Annie! It just goes on. And besides, whatever happens, happens.”

Annie nodded. “Will I ever see you again?”

“Probably not.” He paused. “I’m meeting someone here. You better leave. If you’re seen with me, you’re dead.” He gave that charming smirk of his. “Goodbye Annie.”

Annie turned and started to leave. Tea at Mao’s sounded good right now. She paused and looked over her shoulder. “Goodbye, Spike,” she said. “You pain in the ass.”

--

The End.