fallen | ✓

Chapter 24: "I'd Never Let Go"

(Tagged picture: Hazel)

Masky's POV

This is not what Jenny would have wanted..

I clutched my hair, letting out a sob. Her death is hurting like a bitch. But I only knew one thing right now. No matter how much it stung, I wasn't going to kill myself. Because that's not what she would want, and I know it. It felt good to be around her, but now I'm in solitude as I had lived without her.

I was going to survive. For the both of us.

And I know that sounds as cliche as hell, but ladies and gentlemen, that's my life for you. And you can't do a damn thing about it.

~~~

A Day Ago

My heart was ripped out of my chest. I left her body, cold and lifeless, there in the alley. I stumbled out of the alley, restraining myself from running back and trying to breathe life back into her. Then I ran. I ran until I passed out cold.

That was just enough to set me down and get me going. I was alone before I met her. I hung around cities just asking for food. Then there was her.

I don't doubt for a second that she changed me. She changed me a lot. In a good way.

And I almost wish I never met her.

~~~

Hazel's POV

"Revenge is something that will kill the human race." I glanced over at Clara. "Revenge eats us all from the inside out." My face was stiff.

Clara shrugged. "I guess you're right."

"A stupid human does something stupid and it leads to the revenge of someone else." My jaw clenched. "It's a chain." She stared absently forward, then to me.

"Come on Hazel, don't give me that." She pouted. I released a quirk of a smile, giving her a noogie. She swatted my hand. "I know it was stupid. I just needed to kill something." She rolled her shoulders. "Either that or I would've smashed Zak's face in when I got here."

"You really can never leave him alone can you?" I laughed.

"I can't help myself." She frowned. "He thinks he's a bull when he's mad but he's not. He's just an angry little Oompa-Loompa." I laughed into my hand, trying to muffle it. That was probably the best thing I've heard all day. "Okay, okay, chuckles." She got up, extending her hand to me. I grabbed it, pulling myself up. "You look like you need some rest." I nodded in return.

"Ain't that the truth," I grumbled a bit. She led me to the prison, sending me in my cell. "Thanks, Clara." I smiled.

"No problem, kid." She turned on her heel, going to the cell above me. I climbed in my bunker and buried myself under the covers.

~~~

My eyes snapped open. Light poured through the windows, shining on my face. I hesitated, staring at the wall. My eyes looked around the room. I was still dazed. I sat up slowly, yawning, and stretching my muscles. I swung my legs over the end, dropping down on my bare feet. I squealed when they made contact with the cold floor. "Hazel!" I heard a voice. Clara dropped in front of my cell. "Mornin'." Her shoulders dropped.

I slipped into my socks, pushing the door open. "Hey," I said, brushing past her. She grabbed my wrist, putting an orange and a few berries in my palm.

"Damn you sleep in a lot." She told me as I peeled my orange, popping the berries in my mouth. "How do you do that?" I shrugged. She frowned. "Come on." She slapped my back, pushing me towards the exit. "We need to catch up more." She plopped me in front of the daylight fire and sat on the opposite side. "So what happened to you? I told you my story."

I remained silent, my eyes darting down to the fire. "I found and lost a good friend." Then I gave her a small glance. Her face went serious. "He was a good man. He saved me too many times. And now I can never repay him.." I felt the tears coming back. And they were coming too fast. The water ran and my hands dove under my large glasses, wiping my eyes. I rubbed them harder, releasing a small sob.

"Hazel," I flinched at her voice. "You don't have to talk about it if it'll make you cry," Her voice was soft. "Can I at least get a name?" I took a quick breath.

"His name was Axe." I stared up at her. I forced the tears back. I wasn't going to let this destroy me again. "I never got his last name."

"Alright." She nodded. "You can stop if you want." My jaw clenched. I almost didn't want to stop. But I didn't want to cry again. I always was stubborn. I gave a dismissive wave.

"I'm fine." I smoothed out my hair. "I'm fine," I repeated, staring at the fire. But then I realized there was nothing left to speak of. Then an abrupt wave hit me and my hand flew to my pocket. "Clara," I said firmly. "I still have a piece of him."

"How?" She raised a brow at me. Curiosity behind her eyes. I pulled a balled up piece of paper from my pocket. "A death note." She said. "How'd you get that?"

"He gave it to me." I nodded. "He told me to read it after he..." I trailed off, gripping it. She patted my shoulder, giving me a hug.

"Do you want to read it alone?" Her voice was low again. For as violent as she always was, right now, she almost sounded... Caring. I nodded. She smiled and walked into the prison house. Then I looked at the note. It was only us now. I unfolded the mess, smoothing it out. I took a quick breath and started to read it, imagining his voice, speaking it to me.

Dear Hazel,

Since this is the last piece you have of me, please save this, and take it with you wherever you go. Where this note goes, I go. I'm sorry I left on such a short notice. I knew I would be gone sooner or later. But to be quite frank with you, this may be more of an apology note. The first time I met you, I tackled you. And even then I was scared. Hazel, I was always scared. Well, for one, losing you, and for two, passing.

The tears came quickly. I knew exactly what he meant. Death.

I know how much this would have hurt you. I wanted you to have one last part of me. But read very closely. I want to to live on. I want you to survive. Isn't that what any person would want? But I especially want this from you. I want you to thrive without me. Look after your group and take care of them. Keep them healthy with those skills of yours. I'm afraid this is the end of my note, but one thing overall that I want you to know,

I love you.

(HEY GUYS! This is the end of part 1, ja. I'll be throwing up a new chapter soon, introducing Part 2. SO if you'd stick around for that, that would be GREAT guys! Thanks for reading!