Seize The Day Before An Eternal Rest...

"Kate..." said Zacky, slowly walking over towards me.

I looked at him as he came over to my side. It was an awkward silence for about a minute, when the doctor spoke.

"We'll...we'll leave you all alone for a little bit..." he said.

He walked out of the room followed by the other nurses and doctors. I looked around to see everyone staring at me. I looked over at Zacky who looked down. Matt walked over and sat on the end of the bed. I continued to look at Zacky, who was trying hard not to look at me.

"How...how are you..." he said under his breath.

"I don't know..." I responded truthfully...or so I thought.

He looked up towards me and nodded. I smiled weakly when he held me in his arms. Matt wiped his eyes from crying and Val went and sat next to him.

"I'm just glad...that you didn't give up..." Zacky whispered in my ear.

"I tried not to..." I whispered back.

At that point everyone came over to embrace me in my fight that I knew would never make sense to them. What had just happened to me...was only for me to know. After a couple of hours in the emergency room I knew that everything was going to be okay. Zacky and Matt were there one hundred percent of the time that I had to recover. Zacky stayed by my side just so he could make sure that I didn't have another fight. He even stayed up the first month or so at night to make sure nothing was wrong as I slept. I knew from that...that I would end up spending a full life with him. I knew that he was the one for me and that he was the angel of my survival.

***Flash forward to present***

My near death experience happened only nine years ago...ever since that day, I never told what had happened to me. The guys became big with their music and are now known as one of the greatest post-hardcore bands alive, Avenged Sevenfold. Matt and Val are still together....Matt's still nervous about engagement to her, even though we all have been pushing him to do it. Val doesn't mind...she knows that it will happen eventually and even if it doesn't...she still loves him and he loves her just the same. Maia and Brian were the first ones to marry. They have a 16 month baby girl named Ali. She's one of the cutest babies I have ever seen. They live right along the beach in a little apartment they bought together. Johnny finally got engaged to Chloe...it was about time for him, considering he got her pregnant with their son Jacob, who is now 21 months. Chloe is expecting a baby girl soon as well. Jimmy and Christina are still boyfriend and girlfriend, but are planning on getting married soon. I'm happy that Jimmy had finally found someone he loves and isn't such a huge "loner" anymore. As for Zacky and I... we are happily engaged and expecting a baby in the next few months. I don't want to know the sex of the baby, but Zacky knows and can't wait for me to find out. We are all friends with each other and love to spend time with one another. I thank everyday that I can wake up next to the one I love and see the ones I care deeply about alive and well. I also thank that I was able to survive everyday since that day...nine years ago. I know that if I have the loved ones around me and seize every moment I have with them, I will never regret those moments until I die. And if I seize those days...I know I will meet them once again in our afterlives.

Dear God I Need The Strength Of The World...

I opened my eyes to find myself hooked up to a bunch of machines. It was still somewhat blurry. I looked around and saw myself lying in a white room. Where was I? Am I dead? Am I on my way to another life? How did I get here? I closed my eyes to clear my mind, when I heard a door open. I opened my eyes to see a blurry figure dressed in black sit down beside the bed. All I could do was stare at it. It didn't say anything...it just sat there. I then looked up towards the ceiling, which was white.

"Do you know who I am?"

I looked back over at the figure. In a matter of seconds my vision became clear. It was the dark figure from my dream. I couldn't be in the dream again...could I? I mean...It was all white...and bright....not dark and grim. I wanted to know who or what was under the mask.

"Who are you?" I asked.

The figure lifted its head and looked at me. It's mask was still on its face. I continued to look at it, when it shook its head.

"Let's just say I'm an old friend of the family..." It said.

Old friend? I was confused as ever now. I turned my head to look up at the ceiling when the figure stood up. It began to leave, when I heard the monitor go flat. My parents, Zacky, Matt, Val, Maia, Chloe, Brian, Jimmy, Johnny and Christina all busted into the room. They were followed by doctors and nurses with special equipment. I felt the shocks of the equipment go throughout my body, but my heart wouldn't accept them. I began to pray...all I could do was pray.

Everything went dark. It was dark and hot. I looked down at my clothes to find me dressed in black patients clothes. I automatically assumed where I was...I was in Hell. I looked around and smelt the sulfur go in and out of my nose. I began to walk towards the fire and to where I heard voices. I walked up to one of the figures, who turned. It had one of the masks on like the one that was in my dream.

"Where am I?" I asked.

"Why...Hell....of course....." It replied in a low grumble.

Hell? How could I be in Hell? I'm too young. I continued to look around, when I saw a bunch of figures around me that looked like the figure in my dream. I then knew what was under the mask. It was a demon. A demon from Hell. I looked at them with curiosity, but also with caution. Each one of them had one of the beasts with them as well. I looked over towards the center of the civilization to see one main figure sitting in a chair with its hood up. I walked up towards the chair as the figure looked at me.

"Kneel..." it said.

I looked up at it, but without planning it, I felt my knees bend and touch the ground.

"Do you know why you are here?" the figure asked.

"I don't know that answer..." I replied.

"You are here because of a strong sin that has been done in your family..."

I looked up at the figure. The figure removed its hood to show me its face.

"A sin that can only be forgiven in one way...which only you can figure out...."

I looked back down toward the ground, when it spoke again.

"My name...is Lucifer."

I looked back up. Lucifer? That's the Devil himself? I knew I was at his mercy. What was my sin? What did I do? I began to think to myself when I felt a shock. It went throughout my body, when I thought about my friends and family. I felt another shock that went through me again, but this time I heard voices....screaming voices. I tried to make sense of them, but couldn't.

"Your people are trying to contact you..." Lucifer said.

I looked up at him when a third shock went through me and I could understand the voices this time.

"KATE! PLEASE WAKE UP!"

"WAKE UP!"

"DON'T GIVE UP ON ME!"

"DON'T LEAVE US!"

"I LOVE YOU!"

Love? Leaving? Failure? I looked up at Lucifer.

"It seems like you have granted the access of listening to the outer world..."

I looked at him confused. Outer world?

"Leave my sight if you must...you have found the alternate route back...."

"Alternate route?"

"The alternate route to everything...is Love." he replied.

As soon as I tried to stand, I felt my body float above the world below me. Where was I headed? I felt one huge shock, which caused my heart to begin a beat. I was alive! I opened my eyes and saw My parents holding onto one another, Zacky trying hard not to cry, Matt holding Val in his arms, Maia crying into Brian's chest, Chloe shaking her head while crying, Johnny trying to calm her down, Jimmy with a face of shock and Christina with the same exact expression. The doctors backed away from me with astonishment.

"How...how can it be?"

Everyone looked up to see the head doctor shocked as ever. I slowly sat up and looked around. Everyone stared at me, when one of the nurses checked my back.

"There's no...no slashes...or scars...." she gasped.

"She's been touched by an angel or something...." said a doctor.

Angel? I laughed inside lightly....I was far away from any angels.

Darkness Surrounding Your Lips Of Deceit

"What are you talking about?" I asked, trying to look at my back while sitting.

Zacky stood up and got out his camera phone. He began taking pictures of my back. I was so confused that I didn't know what to do. He sat back down behind me and handed me the phone. I didn't know what I was in for. As I looked at the phone, I began to cry. On either side of the tattoo, there was three giant slashes that went down my back. It looked like it was done by a giant beast...like a wolf or something. It made the tattoo stand out and made it look like it was trying to claw at you. I looked down when the next thing I knew I was running down Pacific Coast Highway again.

It was the dream...and this time I knew what to do. As I came to the crossroads one again. I did the same routine. I looked down each street... nothing but darkness. The voices began again...trying to tell me which way to go. I wasn't listening...and I was prepared for anything. This time...I heard something different. It sounded like a very low growl...I'll admit it...I was scared. I looked all around me for the source of the growling. I felt my heart begin to speed up when out of nowhere, a wolf-figured beast clawed at my back. I screamed and tried to get away, when I heard a voice. I gasped and looked up to find a human figure step out with a hood over its face. I tried to reach towards it when it spoke.

"That's enough..." it said.

I looked up at it, as the beast heeled towards the figure. Thats that things owner? I felt the cold blood on my back go down my sides. I continued to look at the figure as it came towards me. It knelled down next to me and shook its head.

"You don't have much time..."

I looked up to see who was under the hood, but its face was covered in a mask. I groaned in pain, as I felt the figures gnarly fingers touch my back. They were cold and rough like coming in from a long day of shoveling in the snow. All I could do was close my eyes and try to wake up from this. I tried pinching myself and continued to do just that until the figure spoke again.

"It's no use..."

It said that over and over again, but I tried hard to block it out. I didn't want to hear the voice anymore. I began to think of a certain group of things that I loved. I pictured Jimmy and Johnny being total dumb asses, while Chloe and Christina were laughing their asses off watching them. I then pictured Maia and Brian smiling at me and asking me to join them in a game of two truths and a lie. I concentrated harder and ended up seeing Val. She was running towards me to give me a hug, when Matt popped out from behind her with a huge smile. I watched as he gave me the thumbs up and slowly faded away. The final vision that appeared in my mind was...Zacky. He came out with a smile on his face. His eyes...so mesmerizing. I felt the warmth of his arms wrap around me and hold me.

"I love you..." he said. "I always will..."

I opened my eyes and gasped for air. Everything was blurry, but it was light enough to make sight of five dark figures around me.

"Kate...Kate..." came Matt's voice.

I looked over at the figure kneeling at my feet. I couldn't see clearly, but I knew it was my brother. I went to move, when a sharp pain attacked my back again...this time worse. I screamed, when I felt someone hold my arms down. I looked up and saw another figure above me.

"We need to get her help!"

It was Zacky! I tried to talk, but the words just didn't come out. I tried so hard, but it wouldn't work.

"Val...call an ambulance!" yelled Matt.

I watched as one of the figures standing ran out of sight. I closed my eyes thinking it would help me see clearer the next time I had opened my eyes.

"What should we do?" came a voice.

"Mom...just get in the car and meet us at the hospital with dad!" yelled Matt's voice.

I heard retreating footsteps followed by an opening and closing of a door. I felt Matt's hands wrap around my ankles.

"An ambulance in on its way!" yelled Val.

"Alright....Val go with my parents to the hospital." said Matt.

The retreating of footsteps came and went again, but this time...it was followed by sirens.

"Alright Zach...we need to pick her up and bring her outside."

"Okay..." came Zacky's worried, choked up voice.

I felt them lift me and carry me. I felt the cool air across my face and opened my eyes. It was still blurry. I was put into the ambulance on a stretcher.

"Alright only one can really ride in the ambulance." said the driver.

"Listen...I'm her boyfriend...and he's her brother! Please!" yelled Zacky.

"Fine..." said the man.

I heard the sound of them getting into the ambulance and the closing of the doors. I felt the ambulance move and heard the sirens fade out.

I Won't See You Tonight During The Radiant Eclipse

I ran down Pacific Coast Highway without looking back. I didn't know where I was going or where I was coming from. It was dark all around me with sporadic street lights above me. All I knew was that I needed to run...run from everything. My home, my family, even my life. I didn't know where to go, when I came to a crossroad.

"Which way do I go?" I thought to myself.

I looked down the street to my left...nothing but darkness. To the right...same as the left. I decided to walk into the middle of the crossroad where there was one light that shined above. I looked all around me...which way was the right way to go?

"Go this way..." came a screeching voice.

"No this way..." came another.

I looked around to find the owners of the voices, but there was no one around...just me. My heart was beating rapidly, when I felt something dig its nails into my back. I screamed at the top of my lungs for someone...anyone to help, but no one was around. I was caught...

I awoke to a sharp pain on my back, which turned out to be my tattoo all over again. I jolted up, sweating everywhere. It was just a dream? Only a dream? It felt so real. Zacky sat up next to me.

"You alright?" he asked, half asleep

"Yeah...I think...." I responded, holding my head.

He looked at me worried when we heard someone walking towards us.

"Zach...Kate!"

It was Matt. I quickly put my tank top on, when Matt walked in clear view. He was holding onto Val's hand and holding a flashlight in the other.

"Hey...there you two are..." said Val.

Zacky and I stood up when they walked over to us.

"Come on...everyone's meeting around the bonfire." said Matt.

I nodded and followed them to where the bonfire was. As we walked up towards the fire, all I could think about was the dream. It kept repeating itself in my head. I tried to figure out what it meant. My back was still surging in pain, but I figured it was my tattoo again. As we sat down on the ground around the fire, Zacky made me sit in front of him and lay back onto him. I looked back between all the couples, when I saw a semi short girl sitting next to Jimmy. She was laughing along to all of his stupid jokes. I looked over at Matt, who rolled his eyes and leaned over towards us.

"That's Christina...apparently Jimmy met her here...on the beach and had a 'love at first sight' moment..." he whispered, laughing lightly.

I shook my head and felt Zacky lightly massage my shoulders. It was really nice around the fire. Being around your friends and the ones you loved was pure relaxation. As the night went on, the fire began to die and everyone was beginning to get ready to head home. Val and Matt were going to go back to the house when I turned to Zacky.

"I want you to come back to the house..." I said looking into his eyes.

"What about your mom..." he replied.

"I don't give a fuck about what she says..." I answered looking down.

He lifted my head and kissed my lips.

"I'll go..." he smiled.

We all said our goodbyes and got into the car. Matt drove home. As we pulled into the driveway and got out Matt looked at me.

"I'm gonna stay in the basement...with Zacky..." I said.

He nodded and gave me a hug. I tried hard not to cringe from the pain. Val and him went into the house and walked up into his room. I looked at Zacky who sat on the couch. He smiled and I walked over to sit with him. He still was worried about me.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah...it's just my tattoo..." I replied.

He nodded and rubbed my back lightly. I felt him slowly raise my tank top.

"You sure it's your tattoo?" he asked looking at me.

"Yeah...why...."

"Well...why don't I show you in the mirror." he said with an even more worried look on his face.

We Come Out At Night W/ The Warmness Of Our Souls

As we walked along the beach, the wind was blowing lightly enough that it felt great. I looked over at Zacky and smiled. He looked at me and pulled me closer. Matt looked over at us and shook his head.

"Why don't we split up...you know...one on one time..." Matt smiled.

"Uh...sure..." said Brian.

We all split up into pairs...except Jimmy ended up hanging with Chloe and Johnny. Maia and Brian went off on their own and so didn't Matt and Val. I looked over at Zacky, who took my hand and walked over towards the wooden bridge. As we got to the bridge, we sat under it and looked out towards the water. I felt him lay back beside me, when I looked at him.

"Your even more beautiful down here then at eye level..." he smirked.

"Wow...smooth..." I laughed.

He then started to go up and down my back with his hand gently. I looked at him and smiled, when he sat up.

"It's so hot right now..." he said looking at me.

"I guess..." I replied, looking out into the water.

He then started to take off his shirt and laid back down onto the sand. I looked back at him and saw him laying there with his eyes closed. He looked so beautiful just lying there. I slowly laid down next to him and put my hand on his chest. I felt his hand wrap around me and I looked up to see him looking down at me. I cuddled closer to him when he pulled me on top of him. He then wrapped both arms around me. I began to put my fingers through his hair, when he began to kiss my neck. I closed my eyes when he slowly lifted up my tank over my head. His hands slowly reached down towards my waist where my belt was and began to undo it. I looked up at him before he could finish.

"What?" he whispered.

"This...this shouldn't happen..." I replied back.

"What do you mean?"

"Well....are you...uh...."

"Protected? Yeah..." he smiled.

"Okay..." I smiled back.

He began to rub my back, when the pain of my tattoo began. I cringed up and he stopped to look at me.

"What's wrong?"

"My tattoo..."

He looked at my back where the tattoo was and saw it all red and irritated. I whined lightly from the excruciating pain. He lightly kissed my neck and sat up while picking me up. He brought me over toward the water and lightly sprayed some water on my back. I looked at him, when he lightly massaged my shoulders and kissed the irritated place.

"It's okay...." I whispered.

He looked up at me and brought me back to where we previously sat. We sat down and cuddled close.

"I want you to know...I don't want to pressure you...in anything...ever" he whispered.

"You're not pressuring me..." I said looking up at him.

"I meant about the protection thing..."

"Well...I was just making sure...."

"I know.." he said looking down.

I rested my head down on his shoulder and kissed his neck.

"I love you..." he whispered.

I looked up at him and smiled. I felt his hand go up and down on my arm when we slowly laid back and fell asleep.

The Second Heartbeat of Love...

Entering Johnny's bar wasn't really all that different. Most of the time we spent over by the beach, we ended up right here. It was one of the best places to just chill and hang out...maybe have a few drinks...play pool. As we walked into the pool area, Johnny and Matt went strait over and picked up some of the sticks. Zacky, Maia, Brian and I all walked over to one of th booths and sat. Jimmy stood at the pool table with Johnny and Matt. Chloe and Val went up and got drinks for everyone. I looked over at Matt who was chalking the pool stick. Johnny started to be the little naive dick that he was and started to fake hump the stick.

"Christ Johnny...stop it!" yelled Jimmy.

"That's my name...don't wear it out..." laughed Johnny.

We all shook our heads when Chloe and Val came over with the drinks. Johnny automatically stopped what he was doing as soon as he saw Chloe. Val came over and put all of our bottles on the table and went back over to the pool table and handed Matt his drink. I wasn't much of a drinker or a smoker, but I took a few sips here and there of Zacky's. As the night went on...Jimmy and Brian ended up getting drunk. They kept drinking and drinking...I was ready for projectile vomit from either of the two. Zacky was halfway drunk, just like Matt and Johnny. Val, Maia, Chloe and I all decided to let the boys have their fun and went out in front of the bar to talk. As we walked out into the fresh air of the beach, we all went and sat on a wall. I looked out towards the ocean and saw lights from boats out on the horizon.

"It's so good to get out here and take a breather..." said Val sitting next to me.

"Yeah...especially when it's so nice out..." added Maia.

"So how long have you guys been friends?" asked Chloe.

I looked at her and then at Val who shrugged.

"Well, considering I'm Matt's sister...I've known Val here for forever..." I smiled.

"Yeah...Matt and I grew up together throughout school..." added Val.

"Wow...that's cool...so that's why you two are together?" asked Chloe.

"Yeah...Matt and I have always been close so when we got over it turned out to be more of a girlfriend/boyfriend thing..."

"That's so cute..." said Maia.

We all laughed, when I felt two arms wrap around me. I turned to see Zacky behind me. I smiled and kissed him, when Matt ran up and jumped up next to Val.

"Hey...what are you two doing?" asked Val.

"Well..Zach and I needed some fresh air." replied Matt.

I shook my head when Brian, Jimmy and Johnny came out with Mudrock. Jimmy and Mudrock seemed to be in deep conversation. Brian came over and held onto Maia. Johnny went over to Chloe and sat next to her.

"So...you guys sober yet?" laughed Chloe.

"What do you mean by 'sober'?" replied Brian.

"I'm guessing that's a 'no'..." laughed Maia.

"So what are you girls doing now?" asked Johnny.

"Well...we're sitting here..." answered Chloe.

"Well...I think he means...what's the next thing we're all going to do.." said Matt.

"Uh...we could walk along the beach..." suggested Val.

"I like that idea.." I smiled.

We all got up and looked back at Jimmy and Mudrock who were still in full conversation.

"Yo...Rev!" yelled Brian.

"What?" replied Jimmy, looking at us.

"You coming?"

"Uh..yeah..." he said running over to us.

"Alright...I'll call you guys tomorrow..." said Mudrock waving goodbye.

We all started to walk down the beach's strip, when Jimmy decided to go for a little swim. He ran into the water and sat down. We all stopped and looked at him.

"That water is fucking warm!" he yelled running up to us.

We all laughed, when Brian picked up Maia and ran towards the water.

"BRIAN STOP!" she screamed.

We watched as he ran in the water with her. Jimmy laughed and ran back in. Matt, Zacky, and Johnny all looked at one another. Val, Chloe and I all knew what was going to happen next.

"Don't you dare..." said Val, but it was too late.

Matt picked up Val and ran towards the water. I turned to Zacky who had a smirk on his face. I shook my head, when Chloe got taken by the hand by Johnny and ran into the water. Zacky gave me a puppy dog look and I just laughed.

"Fine...come on..." I said.

He took my hand and we ran in to join the others. As soon as we touched the water, we ended up in waist deep. After about 20 minutes in the water. We all walked out and began to walk along the sand again. This time though, it was a little more romantic...

The Art Of Subconscious Illusion

We all watched as Matt sat in the tattoo chair. Val took a seat next to him and held his hand. Brian and Jimmy looked around at the displayed tattoos. Johnny played around with his hat and kept watching every move that the female tattoo artist made. Maia stood next to me and Zacky looking at the other window display of tattoos. I felt Zacky wrap his arms around my waist and put his head on my shoulder. I smiled when I heard Matt talking to the tattoo artist.

"What would you like today?" she asked.

"Well I was thinking maybe a flaming heart tattoo with a banner on it with a saying..."

"And what would you like it to say?"

"Uh....'True Til Death'....I like that saying...." he replied.

All I could do was shake my head. Brian walked over to us and wrapped his arms around Maia. We all turned around when the artist started on Matt's tattoo on his forearm. Matt kept kissing Val as he got it colored. Once he was finished, Brian decided to get one. He ended up with a sleeve tattoo of a bunch of monsters doing surgery or something of that sort. It was weird, but he loved it. Then Jimmy got one. He got one that said "Fiction" because of how he thought his life was all fictional and what not. Next after that was Johnny. It seemed that Johnny was excited to get the tattoo because of the fact that it looked like he had a little thing for the artist. He ended up getting a "Lady Dracula" tattoo on his arm. I must say he is one weird kid, but such a sweetheart too. After all the guys got a tattoo Zacky said that he wanted one...in honor of me. I looked at him as he sat in the chair and watched him get a praying hands holding a dagger on his leg. He told me that it was for how he prayed for my love and how the hands are holding the dagger that pierced his heart and made him fall under a spell. I laughed at this because of how it was a crazy story but I appreciated it.

"Can I get one too?" I asked the woman.

"Sure...what would you like?" she asked.

I sat down in the chair when I looked at Zacky. I automatically knew what to get.

"Can I see a piece of paper and something so I can draw it?"

"Sure..." she replied handing me the essentials for it.

I began to draw something....I didn't know what, but I had this visual in my head. As I drew it, it turned out to be a skull, but not just an ordinary skull. It had a bandanna on its head and a hat tilted off to the side with a "V" in it. I made the skull look like it was an old one and added a bunch of lines to the cheek bones and around the eye sockets. I handed her the outcome of the drawing and she nodded. As she began to draw it on my back, everyone looked at the picture and then up at Zacky.

"Alright...would you like it colored?" she asked.

"No...I like it black and white..." I replied, slowly getting up.

"Very well..."

As I got up, I slowly rolled up my tank top so it wouldn't touch the tattoo. We all walked up to the front to go and pay for them when Johnny made a move.

"So...when do you get off work?" he said slyly.

"In about a half hour..." she replied looking at the screen.

We all rolled our eyes and paid, when he started again.

"Would you like to hang out with us?"

The woman looked up. I could tell she was a little embarrassed, yet flattered by the flirtation Johnny was giving her.

"Sure..if you don't mind..." she replied looking at us.

No one really minded at all. We all just smiled and nodded.

"What's your name by the way..." asked Matt.

"Chloe..." she responded.

"Well Chloe...we will be back...unless Johnny stays here..." said Jimmy.

We all laughed and started to walk out when Chloe came out from behind the counter.

"I'm the manager here...I can close down a little early...." she smiled.

We all smiled back and walked out. We watched as she locked up the parlor and turned towards us. We began to walk out of the mall when Jimmy's cell went off. We all stopped and looked at him.

"Yeah...we're coming out now...we'll meet you there....alright...talk to you later..."

"Who was that?" asked Brian.

"That was Mudrock, he wants us to meet him at Johnny's Bar..."

"Let's head over there then..." replied Val.

We all walked out of the mall and got into the van. My back was now killing me from the tattoo. I sat on Zacky's lap again and Matt began to drive. I felt Zacky massage my shoulders and kiss the back of my neck when we finally pulled into the parking lot of Johnny's.