My body was numb.
I was surrounded by darkness but I could hear the agonising screams of men burning alive. The feeling of the blazing heat licked up the walls in fury. My skin was heating up by the minute but I couldn't move although I knew I was still alive.
Wait.
How the hell am I alive?
My eyes shot open which was a big mistake, there was a man in front of me, his flesh was peeling away and his bloodshot eyes were staring at me. All I could see was fear and pain in them but I couldn't move away from the body that was slowly decaying. My legs were trapped underneath a piece of the ceiling that had collapsed from the explosion making it impossible to move.
The more I tried to pull myself free and I pushed at the same time the louder my screams became. My left arm was covered in burns making me feel sick to my stomach, the smell of flesh invaded my nostrils forcing me to throw up. I could see the fire steadily creeping up to me, the smoke invading my lungs making it unbearable to breathe, I felt like I was slowly suffocating.
After a few more attempts I managed to escape, my legs were covered in blood and my whole body started to shake from pain. It literally lit my body on fire and I was struggling to block it out.
A figure caught my eye from across the room near the corridor and then disappeared.
I'm seeing things now.
I knew I was going to die, sometimes we had to make sacrifices to save the people we love, and being a leader it was my duty to protect them. What made me feel at peace was that I managed to take them all down with me, the ones who had caused nothing but misery and pain. My dad and Jace were dead because of the. The reason why West had to break me and betray me was because of them. For what reason, I don't have a clue.
Maybe I should have found out before I blew the place up but there wasn't any time, I had to do what needed to be done.
I hope they all find their happy ending even though I can't be apart of it. It kills me knowing I could be happy with Xavier, we had just become husband and wife and I had to say goodbye to him. I'll never get to see my daughter walk, her first day at school, her first boyfriend, or see her go to prom. I won't be there for any of that and I just hope they all stay in her life and make her happy. Although I know for a fact West will never let her have a boyfriend, nobody will be good enough for his little girl.
The sounds of fire engines gradually grew louder indicating they were close, and could faintly hear the screams of my brother, my name escaping his lips. His voice was laced with pain as he yelled at Xavier for letting me go without a fight. I know deep inside it killed him but he's a leader too and that part of him understands why I did what he did and he knew for a fact that he couldn't stop me. Nobody could.
My eyes were starting to become heavy as I struggled for breath, everything was becoming a blur as the water from the hose pipes poured down onto the flames till they started to disappear. My head fell back onto the floor as I clutched my chest, the beating of my heart slowing down.
I accept death.
before I could fully close my eyes someone ran into the room to avoid the leftover flames, their hand covering their mouth to avoid breathing In the smoke. I couldn't recognise who it was even when I was lifted up into their arms and carried out.
Voices were buzzing around me as a bright light invaded my eyes making me turn into their chest, sucking in the clean air I gasped for breath and started to cough wildly. Someone lay me down as they cradled me in their arms, and with the little strength I had left I looked into brown eyes with green flecks.
"Xavier" I croaked out.
"You need to stay with me, can you do that. Just don't let go of my hand and stay awake, no matter how much you want to close your eyes"
"I'm tired" My eyes started to droop.
"Stay awake love, just stay awake"
I could see a light as the energy slowly started to fade away from my body. It was becoming harder and harder to not scream and that's what I did before my whole body started to shake uncontrollably.
"She's fitting" Xavier yelled frantically.
"Bambi, oh god Bambi why would you do this. Do not die on me... Fuck sake can someone come and help! My sister is dying she's fucking dying"
My teeth thrashed against each other and Xaviers arms tried to keep me still, his tears started to fall against my skin. The pain started to subside and I could finally breathe again as the darkness took over me and I was finally at peace.
________________________________
Xavier's Pov.
The worst day of my life was when Hope stopped breathing and died in my arms for five minutes, the paramedics tried their hardest to bring her back to us. I wouldn't let them stop and just before they were about to give up and announce a time of death she finally took a breath. Just on little breath before falling into a deep sleep.
She was in a coma and has been for a week and I haven't left her side. Everyone has taken turns in staying with her but the one person who ended up punching one of the doctors who tried forcing him to leave was Callum. Even with his shot wound, he put up one hell of a fight to stay in the room with her. I could see how much he loves her and I think he always will and to be honest part of me feels bad that she chose me.
Sometimes I wonder why she had actually chosen me and not the boy she has been in love with for years. I'm not the jealous type and I know Hope still loves him but I guess she's in love with me. When she wakes I'll spend the rest of my life making her happy because this girl deserves it more than anyone.
Her legs were badly injured in the explosion meaning she had to learn how to walk again as the muscles were damaged, apparently, she was very lucky that she wasn't paralyzed. Her arm is severely burnt, so now she will have to have a few skin graft operations.
This woman was crazy but she's also amazing, the amount of bravery that she had to do something like that was unbelievable, and making her my wife and partner was the right thing to do. She was so strong, beautiful, witty and so smart, can't believe how lucky I am.
They didn't find Noahs body, maybe it was burnt to the point it was unrecognisable but I have a slight feeling that he escaped. I have no idea how and I really hope I'm wrong because if he ever did survive I'll make sure he never goes near my family again or I'll rip his heart out myself.
I sat by her bed in the early morning as she slept peacefully, her hair was sprawled out against her white pillow looking shiny and soft. My fingers lightly ran across, twirling some strands around my fingers. Outside it was snowing heavily, Christmas was slowly approaching and I wish she would just wake up so she could spend it with her daughter. Her dad and Jace are dead, and I know this will kill her whenever she does wake up, having to live through it again because there were no time to grieve.
"Xavier" I jumped out of my seat from the sound of her voice, a smile spread across my face as I looked into her beautiful blue eyes.
"Baby, I can't believe your awake"
She tried to sit up but winced and fell back against her bed, her lips were chapped so I poured a glass of water and brought it to her lips as she took a sip.
"Wheres, my dad, Jace and everyone else? Are they okay" She asked me worriedly and my heart broke, my stomach turned.
"Everyones home and they will be back later, I should really get the doctor" I tried to stand but she stopped me by pulling on my hand.
I didn't want to break the news to her, especially in this fragile state without her brother.
"What aren't you telling me"
I swallowed and sat back in my seat taking her hand in mine "Noah, her... erm killed your dad and Jace. There was nothing we could do, they're gone, love. I'm so sorry" I could see the pain in her eyes.
Her hand flopped in mine and her shoulders started to shake, her cries filled the room as I lay on the bed next to her and pulled her tightly against me. She sobbed against my chest and it hurt me to see her break like this. She's lost so many and still manages to stand. Now she was letting all of that grief out and poured it onto me.
I just let her cry for the first time in months.
Something was nagging at me though, but I couldn't tell her. Not without knowing for sure.
Did Noah survive the explosion?
It's a short chapter but the next will have a time jump.
Vote and comment, please.
Ciao!