AN: Long time no see! I know, there are no excuses for how long I've been gone. I promise I'll be updating on a regular basis now. My ambitions have been restored for this story.

P.S. This chapter is dedicated to Mrandmrsgharrison, who inspired me to finally get off my lazy ass!

Chapter 6

John

"Number 12,789 you have five minutes remaining." The voice above me said. That's the downside to The River. You're only allowed to have forty-five minutes each day. I sighed in frustration. She still needed to read my letter! Come on wake up! I thought fiercely.

"Number 12,789 you have four minutes remaining."

My eyes flicker back to the screen where I see she's now finally woken up. Yes! I zoom in a bit closer. She started to cry...hard, and I swear I feel my heart break a little.

"Number 12,789 you have three minutes remaining."

My blood starts boiling. "I FUCKING hear you!" I shout at the ceiling. "Now please shut the bloody hell up!" I know it was a daft thing say, but I couldn't help it. In times like this I really wish I could tell The Council that there are more important things than their rules and regulations. I return my focus back on the screen to see that she finally (thank god) stopped crying. Now she was walking toward the dresser, or more importantly my letter.

"Number 12,789 you have two minutes remaining."

I clench my fists and try not to say anything. The important thing is that she's going to read my letter. I remind myself. As she changes clothes, I turn away out of respect for her privacy, but when I hear the rustling of papers I snap back around.

"Number 12,789 you have one minute remaining."

Come on Ella read fast! I notice on the back of the paper I carelessly wrote on, is the page that has The Council Rules on it, and out of nowhere the biggest rule they have up here comes to mind. The rule is so elementary though, that they didn't even bother to put it on the sheet. That rule is: Under No Circumstances Are You Allowed to Talk to the Living. When you disobey that rule, they can issue you the highest punishment of all. I feel my stomach flip.

I COULD BE KICKED OUT OF THE AFTERLIFE!

"Number 12,789 you are out of time."

Just before the screen fades to black I see Ella reach for a pencil, and despite the newest revelation, I smile to myself. I guess all I can do now is wait.

Ella

As usual, the walk home was silent. For which I was thankful, as it gave me time to gather my thoughts, before having to go back home and face him. On second thought, after a brief run through of my thoughts and emotions, the silence was a curse. If nothing else, it put off my inevitable confrontation with Chuck, Brooke, or "John Lennon."

I suddenly find my thoughts steering back to my letter. Even if it is silly, I hope it makes it to the correct destination. After about five minutes or so, I notice it's no longer so quiet. That's weird because as usual, I'm half an hour late to avoid crossing paths with her.

I sneak a quick glance behind me and turn around so fast I swear I have whiplash. I quickened my pace. Oh shit! Please let Brooke have not seen me! Just as I think that I'm in the clear I hear a very distinct cackle behind me. I'm screwed.

"I can't believe I actually thought you were going to face me. How could I forget that you're a big coward?" She asks no one in particular. I break out into a run but it's no use, I've never been very athletic. Her "friends" Maria and Ashley catch up to me in a heartbeat.

"Hold her down!" Brooke snapped. Her mindless goons obliged and each grabbed one of my arms. "I told you last time, that the next time I saw you, you wouldn't be so lucky," She hissed, "And I meant it!" I tried to squirm away from Maria and Ashley but they held their vice like grip on my arms and laughed. Brooke grabbed the front of my shirt with her left hand and drew back a fist with her right.

Next thing I know she's punched me. Hard. Square in the nose. It takes all my strength not to cry out, but I can't let Brooke see me weak. I can't let her know she's winning. I feel the blood drip in my mouth, so I spit at her.

She scowls and wipes off her cheek. "So you want to play that way?" She laughs a cruel and bitter sound. "Fine," She stated, "I can play that way." Brooke pulls something out of her pocket. I gasp despite myself when I realize what it is.

She runs the dull side of the knife along my face. "Let's see how much more ugly you can be," She purrs, "All you need are some scars or maybe even holes." She maneuvers the blade so its tip is slightly pressing my abdomen.

"It'd be a real shame if I were to trip like th-"

"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE!" Someone shouts. I instantly recognize who the voice belongs to, but I can't believe it. I scurry away from Brooke, Maria, and Ashley as fast as I can.

But as I run one repeating thought haunts me; A dead man just saved my life.

AN: Please tell me what you think in a review! Peace, Love, and Lennon!-RRR