~*~ Starcrossed ~*~

She looks on, so cold, lost, and alone within the depths of her mind. She sees nothing. She hears nothing. Yet, she does not care. Life is meaningless now for her as the snow gently lies down around her shivering form. It meant as much to her as her bare skin mattered to the icy wind that blew. What did the wind care if she died of exposure? What did she care?

The tears that fell hours ago were frozen in time against her cheeks. The eyes from which they fell felt frozen as well as they stared blankly and unblinking into the winter wonderland. Yes, soon it would end. No more would she have to suffer, neither physically, mentally, nor emotionally. Her body was numb already from the cold, completing phase one of her plans.

As she stared, she thought back on her life. It flashed before her eyes like a television soap opera, just as others before her had described when they had nearly encountered death. However, for her, there would be no "nearly." She would die tonight; there was no doubt about it. No one was there to stop her. Even if someone were there, would they care enough to try to stop her?

No.

No one cared to stop the things that had brought her to such a lowly state. No one was there to stop her father's beating. There was no one there to stop Barry from raping her. She recalled no assistance from her fellow peers or teachers when Amy and her "clique" savagely attacked her behind the bleachers, calling her a "slut" and a "whore." No one was ever there.

Never…

Her body gave another violent jolt as it twitched with convulsive shivers. It was trying to save itself, as she lay there nude in the twelve inches of snow. It was becoming quite annoying. She wanted to it to end now, but she knew from the beginning that this would be a slow and torturous progression. There was no turning back now. She would die before the dawn approached.

The heavenly stars above twinkled like her frozen tears, as if the angles' tears had frozen against the dark velvet sky. Her eyes gazed up at them, taking them in for the final time as if it were the first. They were so beautiful, contrasting so dramatically against the tragedy that unfolded beneath them. God was truly in His Heaven, but all was not right with the world tonight.

A glimmer of light began to appear along the horizon as the sun began to peak out in predawn. She let her eyes gaze at it lazily, though her body continued to shudder and her teeth chattered viciously within her mouth. Death's cold hand was upon her as her breathing became more and more shallow. With her final thoughts, she composed one final haiku.

The sun in predawn Over the glistening snow

As Death leads me on.

It was complete. She had composed her masterpiece just before death, as did all the poets, authors, and artists before her. Now, she could finally escape her tragedy with a shred of dignity. No one would ever know her masterwork. Only the angels and demons that awaited her on the other side would ever hear it's beauty. All that remains is to take Death's hand and walk to the light…

"Marie!" A voice shattered the moment.

How dare he… In my finest hour…

"Marie! What have you done!"

Footsteps approached me, but she had not the strength to turn her gaze up to look at him. She did not need to. She knew who this discourteous intruder was. She should have known he would come and try to save her. Erik always tried to be the hero, but he would not succeed today.

It's too late, Erik… I'm already gone.

Warm gloved hands wrapped around her petrified body, pulling her into their strong, warm arms. "No, Marie! I won't let you do this!"

It's too late… I already have…

Her body bounced as his footsteps bounded across the snowy field. All the while he kept talking to her, reassuring her she would be fine once he got to his truck. "No, you can't die on me, Marie," he repeated over and over. "You mean to damn much to me to let you die like this."

I've already died, Erik. I died a long time ago. You just didn't notice.

"You gotta stay with me, girl. You gotta hold out for me."

I won't come back. You can't make me come back…

"You promised to dedicate a book to me. I haven't received a copy of it yet."

It won't be on shelves until my body has turned back into the earth.

"C'mon, Marie, you can't do this. Why would you do this? You have so much to live for! What about the baby?"

Barry's baby… Barry's bastard rape child.

"Marie?"

There's no reason to live.

"Marie?"

I'm not coming back.

"Marie?!"

So long, Erik…

"Marie!"

In death did we part…

"MARIE!"

A/N: How was that? Pretty angsty, eh? I hope you guys liked it! Chapter 2 is coming soon! (Hey, that rhymed!) :-D

This is a story I have actual IDEAS for and I'm gonna start the next chapter really soon. I have to do a little research on a couple of topics before I can continue. No point in b/s-ing about stuff I don't know about. That would be too low grade for Trinity Heart! X-D

If you like what you read, plz review! I like getting my ego stroked once in a while. ^_~ I'm also open for suggestions in later chapters, and yes, you WILL be given credit for any help. Thanks a billion, you guys and gals!

I would like to thank Ultimagrlx and Odango in Black for their awesome stories (Fallen Angel and White Rabbit) that inspired me to write this. You guys are amazing! And a HUGE thank you goes to Flying-Buttress for the title and to Kentucky Soul for all her crazy talk that helped me think of this. Love you guys!

Trinity~Heart