The Year 3000

Chapter 27: I'm Yours

[Hey please read the Author's Note at the end!!! It's important and I'd really appreciate it!!!]

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Scarlett's POV

Previously:

Harry just stared for a moment, and then my hand was engulfed in his. He brought our joined hands up his mouth and lightly placed a kiss on my knuckles.

"I promise."

I nodded stiffly, shoving down my nausea as an image of Luke's lifeless body flitted across my mind.

"Now, I must get ready. I suggest that you go find Michael and try to forget about this until it's over," Harry said gently, standing up and gingerly pulling me to my feet beside him. I had to lean on his arm for support, my legs threatening to give out at any moment. "I'll make this up to you when I get back."

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My eyes were unseeing as I stumbled back to Harry's room, surprised I was able to walk at all. Faces of the children I had taught for weeks haunted me, my mind distorting their expressions, twisting them with terror and agony, giving new life to the blinding pain in my chest. I couldn't believe I was still in one piece. The only thing holding me together was the knowledge that they were going to be spared. Everyone would be spared, except for Luke. Small, gasping breaths left my lips, my arms reaching out for something steady as tears filled my eyes and blurred my vision. My fingers grazed the wall beside me, and then I was sliding down to my knees, shuddering like I had been caught in a snow storm.

"Scarlett? Scarlett!" a familiar voice cut through the air, hurried footsteps thudding towards me. I blinked back my tears just in time to see Michael's concerned pale face swoop down in front of me. Before I could utter a syllable, I was pulled into a fierce embrace, Michael's pale arms crushing me against him.

"Niall told me everything. He said to come find you," Michael whispered, stroking my hair as I sobbed against his chest. He simply held me, allowing me to cry until I had no tears left and I was just a hiccuping mess.

"Hey, shhh, it's okay." He gently rubbed my back, tracing random patterns over the skin that wasn't covered by the dress. We sat together in the hallway until I had finally calmed myself down enough to where I could breathe properly. It was only then when Michael spoke up.

"Do you want to do something to take your mind off of it?" he asked softly, and almost instantly I could hear Harry's voice in my head.

I suggest that you go find Michael and try to forget about this until it's over.

I sniffed, letting out a deep breath before I nodded.

"Yes." My voice was scratchy and hoarse. Nothing could make me forget about the horror I had unwillingly brought down upon all those innocent people, but I just couldn't take the pain anymore. If Michael could somehow distract me, even just a little, I would latch onto it like a drowning man who had suddenly been thrown a float.

"Well, we could go swimming?" Michael suggested after a moment of thought, making me want to laugh at the irony of my recent thoughts. Instead, I nodded. Michael smiled in encouragement. "Okay then. Go get changed into a bathing suit, and I'll meet you outside Harry's room once you're ready."

I nodded again, letting Michael pull me to my feet. My knees still trembled, but the rest of my legs were steady. I was just about to walk off, when I abruptly whipped around and wrapped my arms around Michael in a tight hug once more.

"Thank you. Thank you so much," I whispered, swallowing against the lump in my throat. After a few seconds, I pulled away, wiping at the tears that had escaped. Michael's eyes shone.