Lindsey witnessed me dumping Zacky in the river and to my surprise she praised me for it. I was hoping that she would’ve yelled at me, but knowing Zacky killed her, I can see why she praised me. Soon that praise turned into a scolding in my eyes. She ‘rewarded’ me, by sending me back to Earth, but I saw that as a punishment.

I was happy at the thought, but shortly after my death I saw everyone leave. I didn’t know where they went, so if I went back I would never find them. I would never be with Jamia. The only thing I knew is what Lindsey told me. She said that they left to, New York and they probably won’t want anything to do with me.

I wasn’t hurt by her blunt reason. I mean. It’s true. Who wants to be around a dead man, who caused them so much pain? I don’t blame them. I still think about though. Sure, I still want to be with Jamia, even though we will never be, but what can I do? I am dead. I can’t make at ease with my parents or clear the air with Zacky. I know I am never going to see what happens to them.

Anything I can do at this point would be hopeless, because nothing is going to change the fact that I am broken and dead. I feel alone that I lost the one I loved and knowing she is heartbroken. When I do go back to Earth and if I am lucky enough to track down Jamia and my family, they would reject me.

Jamia will yell and tell me to go away when she sees the scars on my face and there’s no doubt my parents would react the same. It’s better off that way anyways. Even if they do bring me back into their lives, they would cry at the monster that is Frank Iero, once known as the most loving person to his family and friends.

I don’t see any reason to go back. The only reason I would say for me to go back is what Lindsey said. I took in her words carefully. She spoke in riddles, but I understood what she meant. It got me thinking of what lies ahead of me and what will happen if I-

“Frank are you listening to me?” Lindsey said interrupting my thoughts.

I shook my head and looked up at her. She wasn’t too please, by the looks of it.

“I am sorry. I was just thinking.” I mumbled, looking away.

She sighed and walked over to me and sat down next to me, wrapping on arm around me.

“I know it’s a lot to take in, Frank.” She said rubbing her hand on my shoulder.

“Please tell me more.”

“About what?”

“Please tell more why I have to go back to Earth?” I looked back at her, making eye contact.She wasn’t happy with my question as she bit her lip.

“I am sorry Frank.” She sighed, looking down.

“I can’t say too much.” She said.

“Say it in the best way you can then.” I said.

“As lead rains on your bullets, can lead to your gun being loaded.”

What does that mean?

“Unload your gun, what’s next can’t be undone.”

“Lindsey! What is that supposed to mean!” I said, getting up.

I had about enough of her riddles. They keep messing with my head.

“You will figure it out Frank.” She said and got up.

She began to walk away, but I chased after her. I caught up and grabbed her wrist, to make her stop and face me. She sighed and began to talk.

“You have a second chance Frank and so does someone else. Don’t fuck it up.” She spat, and pulled away from my grip.

“That’s what the riddle means?!” I asked, anger in my voice.

“Of course, not Frank! You will figure out the riddle on your own. That was just to help you, why you’re returning back to Earth.” She said sighing and crossing her arms.

“Fine.” I sighed.

“I’ll go back.”

“You were going to anyways.” She smiled.

I scuffed and shook my head.

“One more thing Frank.” She said.

I hummed and looked up at her.

“Don’t open your grave. If you do you-“

Well that makes things more fun, doesn’t it? I know the first thing I am going to do when I am back.

“Don’t even think about it Frank. You will thank me for sending you back.”

“What do you mean-“

A sharp pain went through my head and everything went black.

---

I woke up back on the Earth on top of my grave. I sat up on top of it, panicking. I jumped up and looked at my grave. I don’t want to be back! I didn’t even see what happened to Jamia! I don’t want to be in this hell hole again! I don’t want to suffer anymore! I just want to be dead! My anger took over and I started to kick my tombstone, hoping to damage it. I got more agitated and looked around and found a vase at another grave. I picked it up and threw it at my tombstone. The vase ended up cutting me, but I didn’t care.

I cried and yelled as I felt the pain, not only in my hand from the vase, but from being back alive. Why did Lindsey bring me back! Who was the person she wanted to give a second chance?! WHO! I fell lying down on my probably empty grave. I covered my face with my bleeding hand, not carrying if my face was covered in blood.

This is too much for me to take in. I don’t want to be back. I don’t want a second chance. I just want to be happy and dead again. Of course, nothing is simple and the sounds of my pleading won’t get the angel to help. I wiped my tears away and sat up, looking at my not so clean clothes that are covered in dirt and a bit of my blood. I sniffed and turned to look at the book Jamia left me.

I picked it up with my non-blood covered hand and read the title, before I sat the book down on top of my clothes and picked it up. I had to get out of here soon and figure out where to go. I can’t live in the Cemetery. It might be my home, but I physically can’t live here. I walked a bit trying to leave the Cemetery, but the scream of a lady caught my attention. She panicked and ran out saying it’s ‘the ghost of Frank Iero!’ Zacky must’ve spread around that I haunted the Cemetery apparently.

---

I finally opened my eyes when I met Gerard. I could tell he was broken like me. I knew after a few days knowing him, he was the one. The one Lindsey wanted me to give a second chance to. The problem is. I don’t know how. I know it has to do with something with me taking him from Bert, but I not quite sure. Lindsey is a girl of many secrets herself. Hence the reason why she used riddles on me, giving me hints and not give away the surprise in store.

I often think of the riddle she said when I am in the Cemetery and Gerard is busy drawing something and won’t let me see. ‘As lead rains on your bullets, can lead your gun being loaded. Unload your gun, what’s next can’t be undone.’ That can possibly mean anything. She is quite clever using a gun and bullets as a metaphor, but I have no idea what the fuck it means. Maybe Gerard would know, but I don’t want to involve him.

The only thing that involves Gerard, is the second chance from what I’ve been told and can see. I hope it doesn’t involve him. I don’t want to see his fucking cute face getting more busted. I hate to admit it, because I am still madly in love with Jamia, but I am starting to get stronger feelings for him and it’s terrifying me. Not because I am afraid of being romantically involved with someone again, but because the person I want to be involved with has Satan on his ass.

I pulled away from my thoughts to breathe and to take in the beauty of the man who sat down next to me in the mausoleum. I smiled and wrapped my arm around Gerard’s small frame. I do need to talk to him about that. Gerard squealed and buried his face into my neck.

“You seem happy today.” I noted.

“Bert is out of town for a few days and so is his friends!” Gerard cheered.

“That’s great!” I smiled, cupping his face with my free hand.

Gerard nodded and melted into my touch. I blushed and pecked his lips. He squealed again and hid his face.

“Stop being so cute.” I chuckled and kissed the top of his head.

He giggled and hugged me.

“Oh Frankie!” He said, pulling away.

“Yes?” I responded.

He opened the sketchbook he always has and turned it to a page. I feasted my eyes on the most beautiful drawing of an angel I’ve seen. It’s not any ordinary angel. It’s the angel that’s above the mausoleum, that overlooks the Cemetery. How beautiful Gerard captured the beauty of the angel. Bringing her wings to life and her dress more defined, than the broken one that’s above the mausoleum. God, if he was around when the church first opened to see the untouched angel.

“It’s breath taking, Gerard.” I gasped.

“I have other things in mind that’s more breath taking, but if you say so.” He smiled, shrugging.

“Hmmm.” I hummed and kissed his head.

“You’re the first person I’ve showed my art to since Mikey.” He said, tears forming in his eyes.

“Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.” I said upset, pulling him onto my lap.

“I miss him.” He sniffed.

“I know Gerard.” I shushed him.

“Thanks Frankie.”

“Anytime Gerard.”

I felt him relax and I too relaxed. I don’t like to see him cry or be stressed out by anything. Just thinking about it. The ones who show less are the ones that are hurting the most and the ones the show the most are the least hurt. I can guarantee you, Gerard and I are the ones hurting the most. I looked at the beautiful man in my lap past out. I couldn’t help, but chuckle.

I let my eyes slip closed at the soft rhythmic beating of his heart against my long dead and cold one. His rhythmic heartbeat sent wonderful chills down my spine. If being in a shitty relationship and roaming the Earth for over a century was the price I had to pay for Gerard, then I would gladly do it again. I pushed the hair out of his face, trying to make him more comfortable as he sleepily buried his head in the crook of my neck, and for the first time in a millennium, I was content.

I see why Lindsey said I would thank her. It took a long time for me to realize that, and frankly I am glad it took me a long time. I met Gerard! I constantly thank Lindsey for returning me to Earth. I’m finally smiling again and finally being happy again. All I needed was Gerard. I wanted to stay dead, but I am thankful that I got a second chance, thanks to Lindsey.

Although, there was one thing I still didn’t understand. Her parting words. I murmured it under my breath. The words that never left me, the one I had on repeat in my head all these years.

"As lead rains on your bullets, can lead to your gun being loaded. Unload your gun, what's next can't be undone."

Notes

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!!!! Special thanks to my friend T for helping me out on this :P If u read my first fic "I constantly thank you" I stole the title for this chapter ;) Also, feedback would be noice and if you happen to understand what the riddle means please comment below! Also! Many hints :')

xojordan