The Music Of Loving You

24. Endings and Beginning Hope

(A/N)Lol, it's a Friday night and I'm home writing. Nothing better than a warm blanket, a reading dog, and.... The last chapter! Love you guys! Thank you SO much for reading!

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Millie's POV

I gasped. Jackson lay on a hospital bed. He looked even worse than I expected.

"Jackson! I yelled, racing over to him. "J-Jackson?" I whispered. He must have been out in his coma all this time. This is terrible! I thought for sure he would have woken up by now.

Suddenly, everything toppled on top of me. Today was the last day I could get my surgery. And Jackson may never wake up.

"Oh Jackson" I whispered, taking his hand. I leaned over, laying a kiss on his cheek. A single tear fell down my cheek and landed on him. "Please don't leave me" I whispered, wiping the tears from my eyes.

Someone beat me to it. A warm hand wiped the tears from my eyes. I looked up and saw the most surprising thing. Jackson had wiped the tears from my eyes.

"Y-you're awake!" I said, hugging him.

"Millie" Jackson said. "I had the strangest dream. You were there and-" he was cut off when someone cleared their throat.

"Sorry to interrupt this.... Awkward moment, but there're still three people here who kinda need us." Bella said. I sighed, nodding.

"Three people? Who?" Jackson asked, confusion written across his handsome face.

"Probably.... Your mom, your dad, and Skylar."

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I've never seen anyone get up as Jackson did right then. He raced out of the room, his fists clenched at his sides. I'd never seen him like this. He was usually so calm. Weirdly enough, despite everything, I was glad to see he cared so much about something.

"Where are they?!" Jackson asked angrily, pushing another door open. Bella and Tiffany were behind us, helping a limping Eleanor. They'd refused to leave until we'd recovered everyone. I pushed on the door to my right. It didn't budge.

"I think I found something" I called out. Jackson froze, his eyes dark with worry. Sadness and loss were written across his features. It hurt me in a way I can't explain to see him like this. It was as if everything had been taken from him, a feeling that I was well acquainted with.

Bella took out a device that reminded me of a cell phone. She clicked a button and the door buzzed.

"I don't know what we're about to see" Bella said. I looked over at Jackson. He looked terrified. I took his hand.

"You'll be alright. I'll be right here next to you" I said. I starred into his eyes and he looked back into mine. I meant it. I'd always be there, right next to him. I could see so much pain in his eyes, but there was something else too. I caught the glimpse of a smile, but it vanished as quickly as it had come. He nodded, taking a deep breath. He squeezed my hand and finally broke away.

"Let's do this" he whispered.

I pushed the door open and my eyes started to water. It stank of stale blood and rotting flesh. I took two steps into the room, my hand still in Jackson's. Jackson gasped. I followed his eyes and found one of the scariest things I'd ever seen.

Jackson's dad lay dead on the floor. I'd never met him before but I knew his face from a photo Jackson had showed me. Jackson's dad was bloody and his skin was a disgusting color.

"Da- dad?" Jackson whispered, dropping to his knees. With his free hand, he caressed his father's cheek. The face of a man he's never said goodbye to. The face of the man who died believing that there was no life left in his son. The face of a man who'd been murdered, alike many others who formed the floor of the room.