Class 19864

Chapter 47: Toby

Song: If I Die Young by The Band Perry

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Chapter 47- Toby

“You have won. You may now deal with your losses.”

The weird, warped voice comes from Austin’s body.

“What losses?” I ask turning to Ada.

“I have no id- Oh God.”

I turn in the direction she’s facing and gasp. Christian, his white face tear stained, carrying a body. The body of a woman, whose blonde hair has fallen over her face, hiding it. But I don’t have to ask who it is. It’s Beth.

“No.” I run towards Christian.

“What happened? Is she okay?” I ask.

“A wall. It fell on her. Crushed her. She’s dead.”

He sets her body down carefully, kneeling beside it.

“My everything. It’s gone.” Christian’s voice trembles on the last word and he starts sobbing violently.

“I won’t tell you it’s going to be okay. I’ve lost too much to be able to lie.” I say softly, patting Christian’s back.

Ada walks over slowly, kneeling beside Christian, her eyes red and puffy.

“It’s not fair. Her and t-t-the baby. My baby. They’re both gone.” Christian mumbles.

The rest of the group slowly start to regroup, all realising what they have lost.

“Beth!” Harper yells, running towards his brother.

“Harper. She’s gone.”

“No! No! She’s not gone! I won’t let her be gone! No!” Harper shouts.

Lucia takes his hand, pulling him into a hug. He rests his head on her shoulder, sobbing violently.

“It’s not fair! Why is it always the good ones?!” Harper shouts.

                I sit in the corner of a broken building and suddenly feel myself transported from my own body.

“What? Where am I?” I call, opening my eyes.

Everything is white. I can instantly tell where I am. The hospital. Exactly where my mother died. Everything is whiter now, more clean.

“Hello?”

I turn, coming face to face with the only person I’d ever want to get back. My mother.

“Toby. I’ve missed you.”

I run to hug her but my hands grasp nothing, only air.

“I don’t understand. Why am I here?” I ask.

“You can save Beth Toby. If you want to.”

“Of course I do!” I say. “What do I have to do?”

“You can swap with her. You can come and be with me. And she can go back to her family. It is your choice Toby.”

“You mean I can die in her place?”

My mother nods.

“I’ll do it. Of course I will.”

“Are you sure?”

I nod. “Yes. Christian hasn’t just lost his other half. He’s lost his baby too. I can change that of course I will.”

My mother nods. “Very well. You will have thirty minutes to return and explain to your friends.”

“Thank you.” I say, before she vanishes.

I blink and I’m back in the corner of the destroyed building. It’s time to face the music.

                “Guys! Guys!” I walk over to the group crowded around Beth’s body.

Everyone looks up and Ada comes to stand beside me, taking my hand.

“We- I can change this.”

“What? How?!” Christian asks.

“I can go in her place.” I say quietly.

“What?” Harper asks.

“I can die in her place.” I say loudly.

“No. No. Toby don’t do this.” Ada says.

“I have to. I said I would.”

“But I need you.” She says, tears glistening in her eyes.

“But people need Beth. A lot of people. You included.”