Beautiful Ruins

Chapter 91

Milo places his arm around my shoulder and leads me out of the room. Milo guides me upstairs and into a room.

"Lie down on the bench" Milo says, walking over and opening a cupboard. He pulls out a bunch of first aid stuff. He turns around and frowns when he sees I haven't moved. "C'mon, I'm not going to hurt you, I'm actually going to help you." He gently but firm guides me over to the bench and lies me down.

Milo doesn't say anything as he cleans my stab wounds and bandages them. I can't even feel the pain from the wounds anymore, my body feels like it's frozen, I'm just waiting for Clover to come through the door. Fresh tears stream down my face as I realise Clover isn't going to walk through the door, she's not coming back. When Milo finishes, I sit up and he wraps his arms around me. I lean into his embrace, grateful for the sense of comfort it brings, even if it does nothing for the ache in my chest.

"I felt the same when Tessa died" he says gently. I wasted so much time wondering if I could trust Clover and she saved me today at the expense of her own life, she shouldn't have gotten in the way, I don't deserve her saving my life. Clover was the best thing that ever happened to me and I didn't appreciate her the way I should've.

"Storm!" Henry exclaims, rushing in, he's panting slightly, and his green eyes are wide with shock and concern. Milo moves away and Henry rushes over to me, embracing me tightly. "Thank god you're safe."

"Clover was hurt, and Bruce didn't help her" I say, more tears streaming down my face. "She's dead, Henry." I feel something being placed around my shoulders and I realise it's a blanket, it seems like Milo has been through this more than once.

"There was nothing Bruce could do" Henry tells me gently. "I'm so sorry." Everyone is sorry but that isn't going to bring Clover back, my heart sinks even further as I realise nothing can bring her back, she's gone and it's for good this time.

"Let it all out" Milo says, placing his hand on my shoulder. "You're safe, we're here to help you in whatever way we can."

"It should've been me" I sob, I feel Henry hug me even tighter, I know he can't handle the thought of losing me again, or even losing someone else for that matter.

"It shouldn't have been either of you" Henry replies quietly. I hear him say something quietly to Milo, I can't work it out. I don't think I care, not unless what they say can bring Clover back to me.

I hear more footsteps but I'm unable to muster any strength to look up, my head buried in Henry's chest. I feel safe with Henry, I know he's here for me, he'll help me through anything.

"How is she?" Peter asks. With effort I lift my head up and glance at Peter, he's already dealing with the loss of his aunt, now he has to mourn a friend as well.

"Are you okay?" I ask Peter.

"I'm fine, I'm just worried about you" Peter says, his eyes filled with sympathy, I used to hate feeling like people pitied me, but I'm too upset to care right now.

"Clover's dead" I say to Peter, I think a part of me is waiting for someone to deny it, to tell me it's just a sick nightmare or a horrible hallucination, that Clover is somewhere safe and she's on her way to me right now.

"Do you want to go to your room? You could lie down and get some rest" Milo suggests, he then glances at Henry as if asking for permission. I vaguely remember Peter essentially crying himself to sleep with MJ after May died, I don't know what I want, I just want Clover.

"Maybe that's a good idea" Henry says, grabbing my wrists and pulling me up from where I'm sitting. I follow Henry, Milo, and Peter to my room, this feels like surreal dream, like a nightmare I can't wake up from, only the ache in my chest and slight pain from my injuries tells me that this is real it's happened.

"Have some water" Peter says once I've sat down on my bed, I take a small sip, I don't feel like eating or drinking but it's easier to have a little bit, it gets people off my back. "Are you hungry? I can run and get some of those crackers you like."

"No thanks" I say quietly, there's a lump in my throat that makes it feel hard to talk, like my words are getting stuck in my throat. Milo pulls back the covers, Henry lies me down, and Peter goes and grabs a blanket from my cupboard to place on top of the covers. Henry sits down next to me, his hand rubbing my back soothingly.

"I want Clover" I say quietly, not looking at anyone. I stare at my wall, this has to be my imagination because I cannot fathom living the rest of my life without Clover by myself, her leaving here after revealing her true intentions was hard enough, I can't go the rest of my life without her, I need her with me.

"I'm sorry" Peter says quietly. "I'm here for you, we all are." Peter sits down on the edge of my bed and Milo sits down on my other side, my back facing him. I feel Milo's hand on my shoulder.

*Author's Note* Henry and Peter are the sweetest boys.