The promise.

Can't live without you- Avery.

Present:

Alex entered the house, with a gun pointed at us.
Thomas stood in front of me, ready to shield me.
''You really thought you could escape from me?'' he said, a twisted smile playing on his lips. ''You thought you could get away from me?''
''Leave Avery & Miles alone, Alex. This is between us, hurt me not them''
Thomas's jaw clenched and he took a step forward.
''If you want to get her, you'll have to go through me''
Alex, his smile widened. ''I was hoping you'd say that'' and he pointed the gun at Thomas' head, I was frozen from fear. ''Any last words?''
''Riley, she didn't- She didn't want it to end this way. She would want peace, she wanted you to move forward and find happiness. She loved Avery, she never wanted this to happen'' Something flickered in Alex's eyes, he got tears in his eyes.
''Riley didn't want it to end this way'' he repeated.

He got the gun off Thomas's head.
Alex looked at me, he reached down his pocket and pulled out a necklace.
Jace his necklace, the one matching with mine.
The one Alex wore the day he pretended to be Jace..
''I guess this belongs to you'
He walked over to me, but I was too scared to take it from him.
I couldn't shake off the fear he might turn violent again. Alex seemed to understand, his eyes softening for just a moment
'I'm not going to hurt you, Avery'' he said quietly, ''I promise''
He placed the necklace in my trembling hand. ''Thank you'' I whispered, my voice breaking. This was my brother's necklace, the most precious thing I had left for him.
Alex took some steps back, ''I am so sorry'' he said. ''I am so sorry for everything''
Before anyone could react, Alex raised the gun to his own head.
''No!'' I screamed, reaching out towards him but it was too late.

The sound of the gunshot echoed through the room and Alex collapsed to the floor.
Thomas wrapped his arms around me, holding me close as we both trembled with shock and fear.
''We needed to get out of here, waiting for the cops'' Thomas said.
''Are you okay, Miles? Come with us. We will wait for them outside''
''Yeah, I am fine. You just go outside with Avery, I'll wait here''
Thomas nodded, and he offered me a hand so I could lean on him while walking.
''Thomas, I am so scared''
''Avery, we are safe now. The cops must be here any minute'' I nodded, and Thomas grabbed the doorknob.