Ladies and gentleman, I'm dreadfully sorry to announce that this is the final chapter of the Runaways. I want to give my undying thanks to all my wonderful reviewers for their input and insight throughout this adventure! It is your words that inspire my creativity and makes writing all worthwhile!

This chapter is more of an Epilogue because of its shortness. The chance of a sequel is slim, but who knows, I may be inspired! And on this final note I wish to say one final thing to DieinSilenceX…

You're an alcoholic, Pearl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There, trembling like a falling leaf stood my immortally undead love. "Evie…" he croaked, and collapsed beside me.

I reached out instinctively and caught him in my arms, desperate and frantic. His face, although just as pale and icy as it always was, was contorted into a mask of pain. He had a gaping hole I his chest where the stake had run him through.

"How?" I rasped in utter confusion. "You should be dead! Truly dead!"

"Sumbitch… missed it…" he mumbled weakly. "Missed my heart…"

I cradled his face in my hands and kissed his forehead. "What do you need? Tell me, what do you need?" I spoke softly, but I already knew the answer. He needed blood to heal. "Stay here." I commanded.

I gently laid him down and launched an immediate search for the bottle of wine/David's blood. It wasn't until I felt a sharp crunch under my boot did I discover it had already been smashed to pieces. I cursed loudly and ran back to Marko.

Without a second thought, I unbuttoned my shirt and leaned in close to him. "Drink mine." I commanded.

I instantly spotted the protest in his eyes, but I delivered a swift kiss before he could say anything. "Listen to me. The bottle is gone, you have to drink my own."

I could see it now. He wanted it. He was as desperate as I was, but yet he still hesitated. It was driving my mad. "Please!" I said more urgently. "I will not lose you again!"

And with that, he submitted. Pulling me in close, he wrapped his left arm around my waist, and placed his right behind my head, as if to support it. Then he bowed his head and bit.

I hissed and clutched at the fabric on his shoulder. The pain was sudden, and sharp, but bearable. I could feel my blood pooling out of me, a strange, intense feeling. My vision was beginning to blot with dark spots until Marko finally pulled away.

I collapsed flat on my back, using all of my effort to focus, and remain conscious. My breathing was shallow. "Marko…"

"Where are the others?" Marko said abruptly.

The images of the desecrated bodies of the Boys filled my thoughts and again, I began to cry. How could I tell him? If I did, he'd do exactly what they had to avenge his death. And I couldn't let that happen. I'd have to lie.

"We thought you were dead." I wept. "We went after them but they…"

I choked on my words, trying to force myself to level my breathing. This took a good ten minutes before I was able to speak intelligibly. And the lies came spilling out. "Paul was killed first. Then Dwayne and David. I took care of Michael and the other survivors myself after he… after he killed Max."

"He killed Max?" Marko's voice was barely a whisper. "He killed all of them?"

I didn't dare look at his face. I could already feel him radiating waves of anguish and immense hatred. The same pain and hate that overcame me the day Bishop killed my family. The day I watched Eli fall face down on the concrete after that gut-wrenching, heart-ripping sound of a gun split the air. We now knew the other's pain, and would forever be alone with ourselves.

"I can't stay here anymore." I deadpanned, suddenly remembering the old man's instruction's to get out of Santa Carla. "I can't."

Marko's words became cold and clipped. "You're leaving me?"

I finally fixed my gaze upon his face, absorbing every detail of his pale, youthful countenance. "No." I replied shortly. "I'm taking you."

"And go where?!" he suddenly shouted. "We have everything here! How can you leave now?!"

""How can you stay?!" I shot back, my voice rising as well. "It hurts me to be here, doesn't it hurt you? This is the last place on Earth I want to live, and so help me GOD, if you don't come with me, I'LL KILL MYSELF!"

My words echoed off the walls, and were followed by a heavy silence. My eyes bore into Marko's, unwavering and harsh. I had meant what I said, and he seemed to sense it.

"You don't…" he trailed off. Silent as the grave, he stepped forward and pulled me into kiss. It was sad, and pleading, and it nearly broke my heart to accept it. "Take me then." he murmured between kisses.

I couldn't help but nearly crush him in a steel-trap-like hug. "Thank you." Was all I could manage to blurt out. "Oh God, just… just thank you."

I loosened my grip and pulled back. "We'd better leave while it's still dark."

Marko's beautifully familiar Cheshire cat smile spread across his lips. "What's the hurry?" he said slyly. "I mean, after all, we have to cave all to ourselves for the first time."

I immediately caught his drift and made an attempt to scowl. I failed. "Tomorrow then. Promise me."

Without warning he swept me up in his arms bridal style and kissed me on the forehead.

"Promise."

The End