Page 327 of Oracle Returns: Time will Stop

As his mouth met his there, and on the other plane, the energy pulsed, and Lucian could feel Ridge not letting them slip deeper into the static. In fact, he was trying to pull him upward, and toward the other plane.

“You’ll never pull him out. You’re not strong enough. He’s mine now! They cost me Oracle, and I’ll take his soul to torture forever!”

Ridge held on.

Let me go, my love. He’s right. You can’t pull us both out. You’re not strong enough. Just take care of Bishop for me, and tell her I didn’t suffer. Please tell her I didn’t end up like this.

Only, Ridge wouldn’t let him go.

Lucian, you can’t leave me too. I’m sorry, I was angry. Fight for me. Please hold on and fight for me. I need you now.

He wanted to, but he was empty.

Completely.

Empty.

They began slipping deeper.

Ridge, it’s time to let me go. One of us has to make it back to save Bishop and the girls. I’ll hold him in there. I’ll be enough for him to stay away. Take my wife and children, and protect them for me. Please, my love. He’ll come for my next child.

That wasn’t happening.

None of it.

I can’t lose you. I love you, Lucian. I love you so much. Please don’t leave me!

Only, it was too late.

Lucian was a battered mess.

He used what was left to shove the man back up.

He let go.

NO! LUCIAN!

Ridge felt himself being pulled up. He felt hands on him, as he was torn away from Lucian, and shoved out of the static. He was pushed forcefully from that realm, and back to the other plane.

ALONE.

When he opened his eyes, Bishop pushed him off of her husband and began CPR.

She straddled his body and began working on his heart as Honor was breathing for him.

“NO!” Ridge shouted. “Please!”

Then, like a miracle, Lucian’s eyes popped open, and he gasped for breath, sitting up so fast that Bishop nearly fell off of his body.

“How?” she asked, taking his face in her hands.

He was honest.

“I don’t know.”

One minute, he was being pulled into the darkness to be tortured forever, and the next, he was here.

From the floor, Bishop’s phone came to life.