A Bond Never Broken

Chapter 27

I slowly stopped wailing as I heard a groan come from Luke. But... I thought he was...

"Luke?" I exclaimed.

I shot up and ran to the front of him. I wanted nothing more than to hug him and never let him go, but not knowing the extent of his injuries, I withheld my urge. Luke's eyes slowly fluttered open and he smiled.

"Hey, Caroline, it's okay. I'm fine." He said softly.

I let out a sigh of relief. He was okay. He was alright and was going to make it. I hadn't lost him. I took note of his shoulder and my eyes bulged.

"Luke," I said. "Your shoulder, you got shot."

Luke shook his head. "No, it just barely grazed it."

I silently prayed, thanking God that it wasn't any worse.

He continued. "I'm just bleeding a little." Luke tried to sit up but stopped and chuckled. "Could you go get someone to untie me please. That'd be very helpful."

I shook my head wondering why I hadn't done that moments ago. "Oh, yeah, of course."

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I sat in the back of the ambulance with Luke and watched as he had his shoulder bandaged up. I was just glad this was over and we didn't have to worry constantly about the man... well Chris. We didn't have to hide anymore. I'm so very thankful for that and also for everyone coming out of this almost not bruised. 

Luke silently thanked the paramedics as they finished wrapping up his shoulder. I furrowed my brow as I realized Derrick wasn't here.

"Luke," I said.

Luke turned to me and grabbed my hands, interlacing our fingers. "Yes, Caroline?"

'Where's Derrick?"

Luke's face grew solemn and he lowered his head, not meeting my eyes.

"Honey," I whispered. "You're scaring me."

I don't know how I could ever tell Brooke if something had happened to Derrick. He was the love of her life and the father to her baby.

Luke inhaled sharply and looked up at me. "He didn't make it."

It felt like someone had kicked me in the gut. No, this couldn't be happening. How could I ever tell Brooke that the love of my life made it but her's didn't?

"Oh, God... Luke, Brooke won't be able to handle this at all." I said quietly.

Luke patted my knee and kissed my forehead. "I know."

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Luke and I headed up to the cabin, both dreading what we'd have to tell Brooke. Before we stepped inside to be met with a worried Brooke, I looked at Luke.

"I can't, Luke." I exasperated. "I can't tell my best friend that her boyfriend is dead."

Luke pulled me into a hug. "You can, just try."

I nodded my head still doubting him. I opened the door and stepped inside. Brooke immediately popped up from her spot on the couch. Luke came in after me and closed the door. The expression on Brooke's face told me she figured it out. I slowly shook my head and walked up to her, trying to comfort her.

Author's Note

Is this chapter short, yes of course it is. But, you'll be getting a longer chapter later. 

*I'm pretty sure you all are glad Luke isn't dead. Obviously.

*There hasn't been much talk about Caroline's baby....