Broken

:Chapter Twenty:

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This song just reminded me of Lib and I thought it was kind of funny. I'm currently working on the third book and rewriting the first book so things make more sense. I hope you get as big a kick outta this as I do! ~don't be a silent reader~
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*****

I stand without moving and stare at Nick's body lain motionless on the dirt floor while blood soaks through his white shirt. I can't breathe. I can't blink. Not one coherent thought surfaces in my mind. I fall to my knees at his side and swallow hard at the sight. He's gone.

My lips feel dry and my heart pounds in my chest; though I can barely hear it over the ringing in my ears. He's gone. He's gone. Something bad. These are my only thoughts. Tears fill my eyes, and for the first time in a really long time, they tumble down my cheeks. My breathing picks up again, though I feel like I've already died. Part of me has. Nick - my friend since the beginning, who always had my back. Who always looked after me even when I was a jerk. Who always made me laugh and smile when I felt like crying. Nick - my friend, is gone. And there's no bringing him back.

His eyes are glazed over and there isn't a sound within a mile of where I am right now; though it may just be me. My senses are numb; as if time itself froze all around me, leaving me alone in this moment. I reach out with a shaky hand and put his limp hand in mine; ignoring the searing pain that shoots up my arm when I do so. There's no pulse. I hear a crack and a scream but I don't turn my head away from Nick.

We could've gotten out. We were so close - we won. We could've started our lives in the outside world together. Fresh tears fill my eyes once more as the thoughts swarm in my head. I'll never hear his laugh again. He'll never disagree with me - not any more. I'll never get to discuss my aspirations and ideas with him ever again. He'll never tell me small facts about his home division or memories about his past life. Not anymore. All his memories are lost to the world now. Any thoughts he had will never be shared. No one will know his dreams or plans for the future. What would it matter if they did, he doesn't have one anymore.

A forceful sob riddles my body and I let his hand drop carefully to the ground again. Someone sets a gentle hand on my good shoulder and I look up to meet eyes with Jayden. I lean into his chest and wrap my arm around his waist, holding him tightly to myself.

His strong arms pull me only tighter to him and Find my chest heaving in pain. It's quiet for a moment more before the birds resume their chirping and I hear Derrick talking in a hushed voice behind me. Jayden's fingers play with my hair, helping me calm down a considerable amount given the circumstances. I'm sure his shirt is soaked with my tears when he lets go but my vision is too blurry to see for sure.

"Angel..." He whispers before pulling me back into another warm hug. My breathing has slowed down now but I still feel almost numb with pain.

"He was all I had left..." I sniff, taking another deep breath of Jayden's thick, personalized scent.

"You have me. You'll always have me." He smiles at me, rubbing my back lightly.

"Thank you." I sigh, letting myself relax into his embrace. I'm still notably tired - in fact I don't know how far I'll be able to walk before I just collapse onto the ground. With both the weight of everything that's happened and my injuries. He continues to mindlessly fiddle with the ends of my hair and I let my eyes close for a second.

Ash, who currently has Derrick held face down on the ground by his arm, rips the pistol from his hands. He points it down at Derrick, then turns to look at me.