Opposite's Attract

F R E E D O M

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✤ Chapter 35: Freedom ✤

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C L A I R E E V E N S

I could hear rustling. From the door.

They were coming to bathe me, I guessed.

I gave up. A week since the incident and I didn't fight back anymore.

Until I heard his voice.

It's like reality came back to me.

He fought to find me. And I need to fight just a bit more to go to him.

"Nicky?" I call him.

The door opens and he looks around for a moment. I see him. His soft features. His beautifully blue eyes. God. I missed them. I tap the glass, my head too weak to lift up.

He turns towards me and I see his face brighten. He runs over to me quickly and I smile. "Are you real?"

He puts his hand on the glass and it's the first time I've ever seen him even close to crying. I smile and move my head where his hand is. "You came for me." I whisper.

My voice is scratchy and weak. It sounds like I've been smoking for years.

He nods and hits button outside of the glass. He walks inside and goes over to me quickly and holds me. He kisses my forehead. "I'm always here for you." He whispers.

He lifts my head up and he examines me for a second. "What did they do you?" His jaw twitches and he shakes his head and holds me close to his body.

I shake my head, "Not now." I whisper. "I want to leave. Please." I squeeze my eyes shut.

Nick nods and picks me up carefully and he kisses my head again. "I'm so sorry." He mumbles and carries me against his chest.

I've dreamed of this day for weeks. Being with him. I've always wanted this. To be held in his arms again.

The love I feel for him in this moment is so beautiful.

I can hear more voices and I feel my whole body stop. I look at him. "Abby." I mumble and hold his face. "You can't forget to get Abby out of here. Please. Please."

He nods, "I already took care of her. Cole."

I smile and lay my head back down on his chest. "okay." I whisper and my eyes shut slowly.

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Life flashes by so fast when your in danger. Adrenaline gets to you and suddenly you are back where you started.

"Lukus." I whisper and reach for him. Nick shakes his head and I look up at him and smile. "It's okay."

He shakes his head and picks me up on his legs and cries, "Stay with me. Listen to me! Stay with me!"

I smile and hold his face. "Shh. I'm okay."

Cole looks at me. "Claire." He whispers.

Jake and Tyler are pressing on Lukus's chest. There tears slipping on his face.

I sit up, "Get him to a hospital! Now!" I scream.

Hear it comes. My screams.

Lukus. He's bloody. His face is pale. His stomach bleeding out.

I scream and Nick holds me back.

I shake my head, "Hurry! He's gonna die!"

Tears blur my vision and my walls break. This whole month hits me all at once and I feel myself shaking. My eyes hurt from crying. My throat burns but I'm still screaming.

I need him to be okay. I can't say goodbye to anyone else.

Not Lukus.

His eyes open and he looks at me and he smiles faintly, "Claire. Shh." He whispers and laughs. He coughs and suddenly his breathing slows.

I shake my head and crawl over to him. "Jake called people. You need to stay awake. Please."

Liam is laying on the ground and Cole is limping around to everyone.

Nick looks at me and he holds my hand.

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N I C K  T O M A S

He pops out and suddenly I see him.

Zane.

A gun in his hand.

Right up to Claire's head.

Right there.

Her head. His gun.

I look at him, "Zane." I put my hands up, "Put the gun down. Please."

He shakes his head and his eyes are bloodshot and his face is red. His veins pulsing.

I shake my head, "You don't want to hurt her. You want to hurt me."

He nods and he cackles, "I want her to he mine! You ruined that! You little bastard!" He waves the gun around.

I stare at Claire. Her eyes are blank for a moment and a single tear slips down her face. She looks up at me.

"Let me go. Run." She mouth and smiles gently.

God. Claire. If only you could see what I see in you than you would understand why I can't go.

I shake my head slightly and look back up at Zane. "Take me. You can do what you want. Take whatever you want from me. Just leave Claire alone." I say slowly.

Cole.

He's behind him. A gun pointed at his head.

I walk closer. "Zane." I whisper.

He sobs quietly and suddenly the gun drops. Claire looks at it and she quickly kicks it to me and I grab it.

She runs to me and hides behind me. I hold the gun. My hands shaking. "It's over." I look at Zane.

His eyes are bloody and swollen. I finally notice the bags under his eyes. How much sleep has he missed? How long has he been planning this?

Cole grabs his arms and pins them back. He moves closer to him and hear him whisper, "I thought you could've been blood."

He shakes his head and walks away with him. I grab Claire's hand and pull her close to me. "We need to get you to a hospital."

She nods, "I can't feel anything." She whispers.

Neither can I.