Saving Calen

30.

Calen's POV

"I swear, Caden if you wake him up I'll hurt you." Aylah whispers, trying to keep me asleep. "How much do you think he slept while he was there? And he's barely slept here."

"Some of us have family to get back to, Aylah. We still have your family to contend with. He needs to get up."

"Wake him up, and I'll chop off your hand."

I hear a scoff and my shoulder being shook.

"Get up—fuck, Aylah!"

I can't help but laugh as I hear Aylah slam her fist into his chest.

"Look what you did!" She yells.

She sits on the bed and places a hand on my head.

"I'm sorry, baby. You needed that sleep."

I rub my eyes and slowly push my body up. "It's okay. He's right. We should go. I need a shower first."

My movements are stiff as I head to the bathroom. Aylah follows me and Caden yells at us to hurry. He wants to get back to Ellie.

I turn the faucet on, but my legs wobble under my weight and I have to use the wall to brace myself. Aylah quickly moves to help me.

"I'll help, baby. Just sit."

I sit on the edge of the tub as she fills it, realizing I can't stand for very long. Once it's filled, I lower my broken body into to hot suds and sigh in relief. She grabs a cup and starts to wet my hair, rubbing her finger through it as she goes.

My eyes shut as I finally feel safe. Content. The pain slips away, replaced with her soft touch.

"How are you?" She asks tentatively, as if she's afraid of the answer.

I just shrug. Truth is, I don't know how I am. Mainly, I'm just tired. Bone achingly tired.

"Tired."

She nods. "We can stay here for a few days. Let you rest."

I shake my head. "There's no rest for the wicked, baby." I wink up at her and her cheeks grow a cute shade of pink.

...

We walk to the car and climb in.

"About fucking time." Caden growls.

I roll my eyes and wince as I lean back.

"Fuck." I grunt.

Caden looks back in the rear view mirror before digging around in the center console.

He tosses a bottle of some heavy duty pain killers.

"Take these and sleep. It's a long drive."

I glance at Aylah who nods. I toss a few down my throat and rest my head back.

Aylah grabs my hand and squeezes lightly. "Sleep well, baby."

I drift off into a dreamless sleep.

...

Aylah's POV

"Is he still asleep?" Caden asks.

"Yeah. He's sleeping really hard." I respond. I haven't taken my eyes off of him since he went out. Just in case.

Caden hums. "He needed this."

We grow closer to their home.

"So, who'd you need to get back to so badly? The girl on the phone?" Caden glares at me but sighs.

"Yes. Ellie."

"That's a pretty name. I bet she's a saint to be able to put up with you." I tease.

Cadens face softens more than I've ever seen. "You have no idea."

We pull into the driveway and a gorgeous blonde starts running to the car. Caden slams the car in park and practically leaps out.

She's in his arms in seconds as they kiss each other. I can't help but smile at the two. They're so in love.

"Alright, Calen we're home. Let's get you into a bed."

I shake him lightly but he doesn't move.

"Calen?" I shake him harder.

Nothing. My heart beat thunders in my head. Nothing but sheer panic turns my blood to ice in my veins.

"CALEN!" I scream.

Caden and Ellie run to the car. He throws Calen's door open, and his limp body falls to the gravel.

"Oh, shit." Caden bends down and feels his pulse. Every second that passes feels like an eternity.

Please. Please not him, too.

Caden looks up at me and shakes his head.

I watch as Caden straightens his body out and begins CPR. I dive to the ground and grab Calen's head. I lean down and whisper my pleas into his ear.

"Please come back. Don't leave me here."

"Oh my god."

I turn to see Cole backing away with a hand over his mouth. Archer just stares, stunned. Caden pushes and pushes and pushes. He goes until he's utterly spent.

The cracking of his ribs seem to reverberate into everyone's ears.

And then he stops.

The earth grows all too quiet. As if in slow motion, Caden's and my eyes meet. Pure devastation laces the contours of his face.

Tears streak his face as he sits on his haunches.

"What-why'd you stop?" I scream.

He just shakes his head.

"It's just cruel to keep going at this point."

So many thoughts and feelings flood my mind all at once that all I can do is just stare wide eyed at Calen's limp body. His lips have already started to turn blue, his eyes closed and lifeless.

And I can't. I just can't accept that my Calen is dead.

"No!" My voice rings out in a desperate plea. I grab his head in my hands and cradle him. A guttural scream erupts from my mouth.

"Please! Please, no keep going. Please I'll do anything." I plead. Caden just stares, his tears creating tiny puddles in the dirt.

"Come on, Riot. Not like this." Archer whispers. He walks up to us, crouches and slams his fist straight down onto his chest.