The next chapter
*Heaven's POV*
"We'll be there soon hermano, we just have to deal with one last thing. See you." Maria ended the call hastily. "Let's blow this popsicle stand" she said leading the way. God she was so cool.
As I followed her, I wondered what the phone call was about. She seemed fidgety about it and didn't fill me in when I asked her what Juliano needed. I couldn't help but worry. What if something went wrong!?
_ "Maria?" I squeak.
_ "Si?" She acknowledges me.
_ "Do we have to kill them all?" I ask, my heart throbbing in my chest. Maria looks at me, her eyes glistening. I understood that those monsters have taken away everything from Athena, and they may take away the person I love the most from me... but it was Lorenzo's idea. He's the leader, he makes the decisions... the others obey him. I didn't want to risk families falling apart by killing the men in there, because I know damn well what it feels like having your family ripped apart.
_ "You sure are something else" she sighs.
_ "Boys... go in there and interrogate them. Find out who participated in the events that occurred. Do not kill anyone except for the responsible ones, the others only if absolutely necessary. Then set up bombs and have everyone know about them so they have enough time to save themselves. Blow this place up only after everyone has evacuated the building. This way they'll know better than to mess with us." She explains to all the men. They all nod and start storming the Voodoos's hideout.
_ "Let's go, they're waiting for us at the hospital." She motions to the car.
_ "Did something happen?" I ask, unsettled.
_ "Honestly I don't know. I didn't let Juliano finish what he was saying. I thought it was better we complete what we came here for before we got overwhelmed with emotions as to not leave a sloppy mess behind." Was her cold answer. Now I see clearly the behavioral resemblance between Maria and Juliano.
I exhale sharply.
Once we arrive to the hospital 2 hours later, we immediately sprinted towards Landon's room.
The place was crammed. Aphrodite, Rose, Juliano, Javier, Santino, Athena and even Silas all encircled the bed.
I felt extremely overwhelmed and salty tears started to form in my eyes. I ran in, and the first thing I saw was Aphrodite, who seemed like she had been crying.
_ "Heaven I'm sorry." She quietly said. I was ready to collapse and burst into hysterical tears before she continued: "he won't talk to anyone..." I felt a wave of relief wash over me, as I realized he had woken up, "but I'm sure you'll manage."
^Landon's POV^
As soon as ai heard her voice say my name, I shot up into a seated position, struggling, despite being advised not to do so. Heaven stood infront of me, drained, bandaged up and skinnier than ever. Rivers flowed out her caramel eyes, but she still looked pretty. Her lids were puffy and red, as her whole body shook, and lips were cracked and dry.
_ "Come on guys, out we go. Give them a minute." All my relatives were shooed out by my mom. She then gave me a sad smile, and closed the door behind her, leaving me and Heaven alone in the room.
Heaven swiftly made her way towards me, and ever so gently, she wrapped her hands around me, afraid of hurting me. She cradled my face, intertwining her fingers in my hair, as she hid her own face in the crook of my neck.
I held her simply as she continued to drain her eyes out. I was still weak and traumatized after everything that had happened. Mostly because of the passing of my best friend. My heart throbbed in agonizing pain inside of me.
I looked at my breathtaking girlfriend who was trying to calm herself but failed to do so. I scooted over, making place for her on the little bed. She took her place by my side and placed both her hands on either sides of my face.
_ "y-you're awake" she stuttered. Placing a soft kiss on my lips. Her luscious, sweet lips felt so right on mine, like they were meant to be there, despite the harshness of them.
_ "I thought you wouldn't wake up" she sobbed, before breaking down once more.
"I'm s- sorry." She hiccuped.
I wanted to comfort her. I wanted to tell her that everything is okay, but I wasn't sure of that myself. I couldn't bring myself to speak, and it broke me even more that I couldn't reassure her.
*Heaven's POV*
Something about him changed. From the moment I laid my eyes on him, I could tell he wasn't the same. His crystal blue eyes no longer twinkled like they used to. They were dead, glazed over in a bitter haze. His lips which were usually drawn into a cocky smirk, were now sealed in a tight line. His eyebrows were furrowed and jaw was clenched and he was mute. Not a single word left his mouth. It was like the first times we met, back when he was a cold, selfish, closed off asshole. But by the way he held me, and stared into my eyes, I could tell he was only mourning, and that his feelings for me didn't change. He lost a person very dear to him, a lifelong friend, a brother... and he didn't want to show anybody his weak side.
All I had to do now, was be patient and there for him.
He laced his fingers into mine, and kissed my hand.
_ "you didn't think I'd leave you, did you?" He said lazily, his voice low and husky. My eyes widened in shock. "I heard you crying and saying that you needed me, and I heard you saying you loved me while I was still in a coma," he took in a shaky breath, clearly still in pain from his broken ribs, "and I heard you say that J-Justus passed away." he sniffed.
He then did something I never expected to witness. Landon then, pushing away his pride and ego, decided to allow the tears which accumulated in his eyes to emerge freely. Yes I had seen him shed a few tears before, but never weep this hard. He buried his face into my neck, which seemed to be his safe spot.
_ "I can't imagine living without him. I can't imagine going to college and not seeing him there, looking at Athena without seeing him in her... god I can't imagine what she's going through now." I ran my fingers through his hair, desperately trying to ease his pain.
I really had the urge to express my emotions as well, to scream, cry and grieve, but I had to stay strong, for Landon... for Justus.
After about 20 minutes, Landon finally composed himself.
_ "you mentioned earlier doing something you shouldn't have and regretting it... what is it you did?" he whispered, still laying against me.
_ "uh-um... n-nothing, nothing you need to worry about" shit this didn't go as planned, he caught me off guard. I didn't want to burden him anymore than he already is.
_ "Heaven..." he insisted, his tone hardening.
_ "we'll talk about it another time." I brushed it off. He glared at me.
_ "I'm going to leave you rest now, and go check on Athena. Goodnight baby, I love you." I place a peck on his cheek and head towards the door.
_ "wait!" He called for me. I turn around and look at him.
_ "can you call in my father and Javier so we can discuss getting back at Salazar" he seethed Lorenzo's name, making sure every bit of venom in him went into it.
_ "we already took care of that London. Now get some rest." And with that I left him.
~Athena's POV~
Whenever Heaven left my room, I would plunge back into the void that now secretly possessed me. The void that was once filled by my brothers' presence. But last night, Alex called to check up on us... saying we haven't been updating him and he got worried. I gathered up all the strength I had to tell him what happened. Needless to say he was devastated.
But what I didn't know was that the news had spread to Silas, and the next evening (aka now), he was already in Mexico by my side.
_ "Why'd you come Silas?" I croaked.
_ "What do you mean why'd I come? I came here to be there for you, to be your rock. I'm not leaving you alone in a time of need Athena, I-I meant it when I said I like you. I do, a-lot and we are going to get through this together." He answered with no hesitation, engulfing me with his strong hands.
I had no reply, I just looked into his emerald eyes twinkling, and I couldn't be more grateful. It was exactly at this moment, I realized that I loved this man in-front of me, but I wouldn't tell him now... it wasn't the right time.
°•°•°•°•°•°•°
2 years later
^Landon's POV^
Two years have passed, and it still feels like yesterday.
Two years have passed and the ache is still the same. Excruciating. Splitting. Agonizing.
I still remember seeing his pale, ghostly face which had turned as white as his eyes for the last time. I remember lowering him 6 feet under, into the ground where he was buried into the soil. That's when it all became real.
Athena's searing sobbing and screaming which echoed through the graveyard as Silas held her tightly in his arms, were now engraved in the back of my mind, and Heaven's speech still stuck with me.
_ "...Justus Alexander Sullivan, loving brother, son and friend." a stray tear escaped her eye as she tried her best to stay composed. "He may be in a better place now, yet still he left too early. He was a beautiful, bright, kind and solicitous angel, who despite being hurt, scarred and mistreated by life, still managed to wear a genuine smile on his handsome face everyday, and draw it on other people's. His passing took a toll on each and everyone of us, but I know for a fact... he wouldn't want us to grieve. He may not be here among us, but our souls will always be connected by heartstrings to infinity. Living without him will never get easier, we will just learn to cope with it. May his divine soul rest in piece..." She ends, before breaking down. The air around us thickened as it was now polluted with pure mourning and anguish.
I snap back into the present. We were now back in America.
Despite mistreating her those past two years due to my ways of copping with loss, Heaven and I moved in together. Things were slowly getting better, day by day.
Athena had finally come out of hiding in her apartment, and was resuming college. She and Silas were now dating, and he was always there by her side.
As for Lorenzo Salazar and his minions, they had been caught that very same day I awoke from my coma and was sent to our warehouse in America. There they was tortured slowly by every member of the family, including Rose, and was finally taken out of there misery by Athena, who shot them all dead after saying "see you in hell."
As I took the last drag of my cigarette, faint footsteps were heard behind me. I look over my shoulder to see Heaven standing behind me, holding our pet dog, Dexter, a Pit-bull, by the leash.
Heaven had changed drastically over the past two years, she had become closed off again, grown much thinner, got some more tattoos, one of Justus's name, and one of a cross symbolizing The Saints. She had also grew out her hair and dyed it of a silvery white tone to mimic Justus's eyes.
I take her in as I scan her up and down before draping my hands around her waist and placing my head on top of hers. She exhales sharply. I already knew what this meant.
_ "Is your brother asking for money again?" I ask. She shook her head. I then felt warm droplets soak my shirt... oh no, this was the first time this has happened since two years ago.
I push her off of me gently and hold her at arms length, staring into her inferno eyes.
_ "babe what happened?" I felt anxiousness creep its way up to me.
_ "I-it's my father" she managed to enunciate in between stifled gasps.
_ "what about him?"
_ "he was found dead at one of the local bars yesterday. He overdosed." She wiped away her tears and her eyes became cold. My heart sank into my stomach. Not again. Why did everyone have to loose a family member.
*Heaven's POV*
After Justus's death I had to stay strong for everyone, especially Athena and Landon since they suffered the most. So hiding my emotions, an old toxic habit of mine, found its way back to me, and now every time I felt an emotion I would push it back, and push everyone else away with it. And this is what I was doing to Landon, just like he did to me.
But when he crashed his warm lips against mine, I couldn't help but melt under his touch, and my walls came crumbling down.
_ "you stood by me when you were in pain and put me first, now it's time I return the favor." He whispered separating his sweet lips from mine. "Please don't be as dumb as I was, don't push me away, let me help you Heaven please." He pleaded. All I did was nod in response.
_ "now what do you want me to do?" He was ready for anything I would throw his way.
_ "take me to my brother. I need to talk to him." I simply state. Without questioning my decision, Landon grabbed the car keys and made his way to the parking lot, me trailing behind him, as he held my hand in his.
When I got to my old house, I immediately scavenged for my brother. I later found him drinking and bottle of Vodka as he layed on my bed. As soon as I walked in on him, he looked at me with red puffy eyes and threw himself into my arms. This was the brother I remember.
_ "H-heaven we are now orphans" he cried into my shoulder. Landon came in and stood at the door of my room.
_ "sshh it's okay I'm here" I tried to sooth him.
_ "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry" he continued to weep as he reached out for the bottle of Vodka he was drinking from, but before he was able to, Landon snatched it out of his hands. Matteo (my brother) looked up confused.
_ "who are you, and why'd you take my bottle from me?" stood up my brother and faced Landon.
_ "Matteo please listen to me" I said in a stern voice. He snapped his attention back to me as he winced at my tone. "Matteo drinking more will not solve your problems. You want to end up like dad!?" I imply. "Little brother you are all the family I have left, and I am all you have left. The way you are living is not healthy"
_ "but it's not my fault" he interrupts me, getting aggressive, a result of the drugs and alcohol.
_ "I know it isn't, but we have to make it right ok?" I hold his face in between my hands trying to calmly bring him back to his senses. He nods.
_ "can I move in with you?" He looks at me with a look of pure innocence and fright.
_ "you will I promise, but first we take you to rehabilitation, you need to get over you-"
_ "BUT I DON'T WANT TO! I DON'T NEED TO! I'M FINE!" He begins to yell.
_ "YOU ARE FINE!? MATTEO YOU ARE A NINETEEN YEAR OLD WITH A DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION! YOU'VE BEEN ADDICTED EVER SINCE THE AGE OF 13 BECAUSE OF OUR ASSHOLE OF A FATHER! YOU CALL THAT FINE?!" That was the last straw. Landon automatically intervened. He started to massage my shoulders and ran his fingers through my hair.
_ "look kid, do you want to lose your sister too? Or do you want to leave her with no family at all?" calmly takes over my boyfriend.
Matteo looks at him skeptically before he sighs and gives in.
_ "fine, I'll go to rehab"
I look up at Landon and gives him a soft smile, grateful for having him in my life, before I lean over and embrace my lost brother.
It was at this moment, I felt a slight glimmer of hope, that life may have something good for us in store.
________________________________
Hey guys, it's been a while since I've talked to you. The characters have gone back to being cold and the story got a bit sad. I hope you don't hate me for what I did, but my story isn't all sunshine and rainbows, and it kind of portrays reality and the perilousness of that life.
Anyways one more chapter to go. How will the story end?
Find out in the last chapter of "Heartstrings!"