Knock Out

You're Family and Family Never Gets Left Behind

Renee's POV

"Is that a grenade?"

Courtney's POV

Fuck this. My head fucking hurts and it's throbbing. I sat up and realized I was on the grass. "What the hell happened?" I asked as I pushed myself up. I stumbled a bit but I managed. I staggered forward. "Fire!" I scream and ran towards the flaming truck. I saw a swash of black hair in the fire. "RENEE!" I screamed pushing myself. Arms wrapped around me stopping me from reaching the truck. "No let me go I have to get her out!" I screamed at the person. "Stop stop its too late. Let it go just let it go." The person said. "NOOO I can't that's family we're family and family doesn't die." I yelled crying. "Shhh it'll be okay." He said trying to sooth me. My heart swelled and my tears came flowing down my face. "NOOO that's family!" I screamed. "That's family my only family that's what was left of it!" I screamed trying to get up. "What am I supposed to tell her kids?!" I asked hiccuping from crying so hard. "Weren't the kids also in the truck?" He asked. I starred at truck saying nothing. They're all dead because of me. I'm the only survivor. I could almost see her screaming my name. Begging me to just get close to the fire. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I ran to the truck. No one stopped me. I got as close as I could before it got too hot. I sank down in the grass. "Renee I just wanted you to know you were the best sister ever. I love you. I'm sorry it's my fault all my fault. I love Max too. Best big bro ever. I love your girls they're amazing just like you. Oh please come back to me. Please don't leave me." I whispered putting my head to my knees. "You remember when my parents died and you took me in. You said to me "You're family and no family of mine will ever get left behind. I remember those words everyday. I used to say them when you went out and didn't get back until late or didn't come back at all. They helped me fall asleep at night because I knew I had a family that I knew would never leave me. But I was wrong you left me before I was ready." I said sobbing into my jeans. "Hey Court don't cry. I'm here I love you. Please.... please never change. I'm sorry boo you'll be fine.  I'll always love you. Never forget that. Take care of my girls. Don't let them end up as fucked up as me." Renee said to me quivering as if she was forcing the words out like she depended on it. "Didn't you see them. They couldn't wait to have their mom back they came with us." I said looking up. I saw a few tears fall from Renee's eyes. I thought seeing her cry would be life changing. It was only heart wrenching. She never cried. My baby never cried. "Please Court just look away it'll be okay. Just look at the flowers Courtney. Just look at the flowers it'll be ok. I promise just look at the flowers." She said crying. I heard a deep breath and then nothing else. I turned towards the flaming car. The fire finally reached her. She was pinned and she couldn't get out. Her kids were swaddled around her. Max was behind her holding her tight. His eyes opened and glassed over. The kids had their eyes shut and Renee's eyes were half open half closed with tears coming down her cheeks. "I love you. NOOOOO PLEASE DONT LEAVE!" I screamed as the fire blazed covering their bodies.