COD Bits and Bobs ( Reqs Open )

GONE

Alejandro and Rodolfo - Sad angsty stuff

Character Death

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It was overwhelming. All five of his senses kicked up to hyperdrive. The smell of smoke, the heat of the flames licking at his ankles, the brightness of the fire, the taste of ash on his tongue… the screams of his friend. It was all too much.

His eyes stung with tears as the smoke continued to attack his lungs forcing a cough from within him. The whole upstairs of the house was engulfed in flames and all he could do was stand and listen to the pained wails of his friend. His legs stung as his trousers stuck to his melted skin. He had tried desperately to get up the stairs, to save his friend. To save the love of his life.

Everything began to blur together once the wails of pain stopped. He hadn't noticed the firefighters or the paramedic sitting him down in the back of the ambulance or the pain from his legs as the paramedic peeled away his trousers. He was stuck, lost in his own mind.

It took days for him to regain consciousness, when the realisation that his best friend was truly gone fully dawned on him. He spent that day in bed.

It wasn't long till the funeral. It was cold and thundering outside - how ironic - everyone arriving dressed in black and soaked from head to toe. As he passed Rodolfos mother they shared a pained smile, Alejandro holding back tears and sharing his condolences. He shouldn't be here. He didn't deserve to be here. He was the reason that sweet woman who'd let Alejandro into her home countless times and held him when he had an argument with his parents was now sitting sobbing on her knees grieving for her son. He was the reason why Rodolfo was dead. He had sent him into that house fully aware of the dangers that lay before him.

Alejandro took a breath turning towards the closed casket where the body of his best friend lay. Rodolfos mother had wanted an open casket funeral but was told that would not be possible as her son's body was so badly burnt there wasn't much left of him and would be completely unrecognisable.

He wasn't sure how long he had stood there staring at the casket before him until a hand lay on his forearm. It was Rodolfos mother. She looked up at him sharing a once again pained smile and leant against him. She bought a tissue up to her eye and squeezed Alejandro's arm.

“ This isn't your fault, you know. “ she whispered.

Alejandro looked down towards her.

“ What? “ He breathed.

“ It's not your fault he's gone Alejandro. He knew the risks as you did. You can't go blaming yourself. He's safer now. At peace… I hope. “

All Alejandro could do was stare at the woman who'd now turned her gaze towards the casket. Tears began to fall at the words she had spoken. The screams of agony haunted him. He'd do anything to turn back time and go into that house instead of sending Rodolfo in. He wished he wasn't gone. He wished he told Rodolfo how he'd actually felt.

The rain still fell, hammering against the umbrella he held above him and Rudys mother. The casket lowered into the ground as everyone stood in silence. This was it.

Alejandro's stomach sank. Rudy was truly gone. Not coming back. He'd never see that smile ever again, hear that laugh after he'd told an awful joke… never get to hold him again. He was Gone.