Hyde didn't give back the body until the next morning. I am so thankful he didn't want to fill another night with a momentary burst of adrenaline. The blood of another innocent person was the last thing I needed right now. My brain ached, I had never been so exhausted. Though, the second my eyes opened, I ran down to my lab, mixing different colored substances and drinking them. I suddenly felt more relaxed, the weight of Hyde being silenced for at least a few hours.

I stomped down the stairs into my kitchen, where I prepared breakfast, a task I haven't performed myself in a while. I sat at my table, surprisingly comfortable with the silence of the house. I ate my food, went back upstairs to change, and came back down to clean up after myself. After the kitchen was spotless, I strolled into my living room.

My heart dropped. Gabriel's letter rested imperfectly still. His confession froze on those pages, dragging me closer to it. I leaned down to re-read it,

I love you, my dear Henry.

I gripped the letter, my heart beating out of my chest.

I want to wrap my arms around you and never let go.

Hot, desperate tears burnt my eyes as they fell down my cheeks.

I want to tell you how much I love you every morning as I wake by your side.

I yearned for his touch more than he would ever understand, but could I erase the damage that Hyde had inflicted? How would I explain it? Would he ever forgive me?

I wish you find someone who will make you as happy as you have made me, for this is goodbye.

"I don't w-want anyone else, my dear, I want you-" I whispered, tears tearing my words apart. Sobs shook through me like I was an old autumn leaf.

Simply a stranger, Gabriel John Utterson.

"Gabriel-" I sobbed like he could hear me. Memories of Hyde's impersonation flooded my senses. I felt so guilty. I felt so angry that Hyde could ever do such a thing.

Memories of Gabriel in my arms, though once comforting, now killed my happiness like the sun's last rays. I gripped the letter to my chest like it was him, holding it close to my heart.

"No... no this can't be the way that it ends," I said to myself, my voice echoing around the room. "I can't be sure it will work, but I'll be damned if I don't try. I love him," I continued as I peeled myself off the ground. I tucked the letter into my pocket, speeding over to the door. I threw my coat on, grabbed my hat, and exited my house.

I started sprinting. The world was a blur as I ran down the streets of London. The wind blew through me as I bolted, the cobblestone hitting the soles of my shoes. My heart beat desperation to every corner of my body. I tore through familiar streets, following the path I had walked so many times. I didn't think about where I was going, I only thought about him.

His warm hazel eyes. His soft hands. His electric smile, paired with his rare but ever-rewarding laughter. The way his mind works, overcoming the wildest of problems in a second. He had the kindest heart you ever saw, though he had few people to share it with. Guilt set in my throat once again for thinking I could just leave. But I was protecting him. Is he better off for it? How could he ever forgive me now?

My thoughts were silenced as I slowed next to the painfully familiar house. I started to walk up the paved path. The hedges that Poole has begged to trim were overgrown and unkept. The bricks were covered with dirt and showed one too many signs of being ignored. I walked up the few stairs that lead to his door. I stared at it for a minute, thinking if he would want to see me, if not now then ever again.

I slowly moved towards his door, my heart still racing. I pressed my hands against it, the cool wood comforting to my hands. I heard a soft sound from inside the house. I pressed my ear against the door, straining to hear the sound again. It sounded like a cry.

My heart stopped beating. I frantically knocked on the door, my foot tapping anxiously. I swore to never be the reason Gabriel cried. His sobs echoed through the house, never moving as I remained so close, yet so far behind that damn door.

In a moment of desperation, I fiddled with the door handle. It turned, much to my surprise. Gabriel always locks his door, why would it be open? I didn't have time to spare wondering about his door. I swung it open, discarding my hat, coat, and shoes at the door, as he liked it.

I sped through his home towards the broken song of my angel, though my energy was quickly fading. I struggled to continue on, but I had to march with the beating of my heart. Down the hallway, through the kitchen, up the stairs, down another hallway and turn right. My heart was breaking my ribcage, it was beating so fast. I slowly turned the doorknob to be met with a dark, cold room. Light flooded into the room, illuminating a small figure in the middle of the bed.

He whipped his head around, and my heart shattered. His usual sparkling hazel eyes were now red and raw. His face was soaked in tears. They slipped, slid, ran, and rolled, seemingly unstoppable. His whole body shook as if he was in a blizzard. His hair was like a bird's nest on his head, but he still looked gorgeous as ever.