Breathless // lp

Chapter 19.

Screeching sirens howled in the distance. Screams and shouts seemed to fade into the background, the sounds no longer being acknowledged. The faint figure of a man holding a gun took off into the distance, but once again. No longer being acknowledged. 

All that Liam could seem to register was the fact that there was a bang. It came from that barrel of a gun the man - Ash's father was holding. His eyes wide in horror, Liam watched him take off down the gravely driveway and disappear down the road. Harry quickly ran after him, leaving Liam to stand motionless. 

It was then that the realisation hit him. Hard. 

"No," Liam breathed, falling to his knees. His hands trembling violently, Liam reached out towards Ash's limp form, staring at her beautiful face as she struggled to inhale a ragged breath. 

"No," He repeated, "No, no, no!" Scooping Ash into his arms, Liam ignored the rain that pelted into him, just adding to the bitter cold winter breeze which continued to seep through his clothing. Liam looked at Ash, his eyes darting over her soft features. Her cheeks were tinted pink along with the tip of her nose from the chilly air. Liam's fringy brown hair fell gently over his eyes, hiding the unshed tears that were already forming.

"Ash baby look at me," Liam gasped, trying to blink back the tears that brimmed in his eyes. Ash's pink eyelids fluttered open slowly, her gorgeous green orbs struggling to find him. 

"L-Liam," Ash managed to say through a fit of coughs, her eyes sparkling as the most beautiful smile spread on her lips. Liam let out a small chuckle at her expense, biting his lip afterwards to prevent any more tears from spilling from his eyes.  

She looked so calm, as if she didn't notice the blood that was already seeping through her clothing. Her hand was clutched to her wound tightly, shaking as it tried to stop the bleeding. 

"Shh, shh Ash listen to me," Liam whispered frantically, brushing his thumb over her cheek lovingly. A small set of fingers brushed over his until they were fully intertwined, and Liam didn't even need to look down to know it was her's. 

"You're gonna be okay, trust me. I'll get help, I-" 

"Li," Ash sushed him, shaking her head slowly. He tearfully watched her kinky red hair swish from side to side before looking up to find her eyes again. 

"W-What?" Liam breathed, wiping away the tears that blurred his vision. He wanted to stay strong, he wanted to stand brave, for her. But as he looked down at the girl he loved, he let out a hesitated sigh, unable to stop the tears that now streamed down his pink tinted cheeks. 

"Kiss me. Kiss me now before it's a-all over and w-we have nothing left to...to fight for," Ash said in a soft murmur, tears streaming  down her cheeks. Ash let her eyes flutter shut and forced herself to lean upwards. 

With a soft and simple kiss, it left Liam's lips tingling. He ached for more, but as Ash started to grow limp in his arms everything else seemed to fade out but her. Her beautiful eyes sparkled, shining with an unknown happiness that Liam so badly wanted to feel as well. 

"I love you," Ash whispered, her weary eyes darting over Liam's face, recognizing every detail as she started to breathe raggedly.

 It was then that these simple words fell from Ash's mouth, soft and sweet, yet gentle and faded. She had whispered them so carefully before her eyes fluttered and she let out a sharp gasp before falling limp into Liam's arms. 

Liam let out a desperate sob and held her close to his chest, rocking her back and forth slowly. Sirens pierced the quiet night air, making him want to clutch onto Ash even tighter.