way down // frank iero au

S e v e n

~One Month later~

Belle stands at the station, waiting for them to step off. Hundreds of people gather around her, waiting for sons, brothers, husbands, boyfriends.

She nervously twists a piece of hair around her finger. The engament ring glints in the light.
What if something happened? What if they're hurt? What if the train derailed? What if they got stuck?

All her worries are drowned out by the train whistle. It's approaching quickly, men hanging out the windows as people yell.

The all get off the train, and the crowd goes wild, Belle begins caught in the middle of it.

She pushes through kissing couples, and weeping mothers, to get to edge of the throng.

She does and looks toward the front car of the train. No ones over there. All the soldiers were on the back ones.

There's a sharp command from the front can and Frank steps off.

Belle holds her breath as he looks down the station. His eyes land on her and everything's frozen. She gingerly walks toward him.

He says something back into the train car, then does the same and they meet in the middle.

Belle places a hand on his cheek and starts crying. He gives her a watery smile back.

"You're okay." she gasps, as he hugs her tightly.

"I'm okay."

Ray steps off and smiles at her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Where's Gerard?" She asks, looking between the two soldiers, "And Bob? And Mikey?"

Their expressions go from tired-happy to utterly and completely sick.

"Guys....?"

"Later train." Frank rushes, "They caught a later train. Gerard had a special thing to deliver."

"Oh. Will they be here today?"

"Should be." Ray swallows, looking down the track as their train leaves.

Everybody clears out, and they're left as the only ones.

"What time today?" Belle frowns, checking between her watch and the train clock.

"About-"

A whistle cuts them off.

"Now."

Ray looks like he's about to faint, and Frank is holding onto Belle's hand for dear life.

The train pulls up and the doors open. It's like a ghost train, Nothing but silence to greet the passengers.

A couple business men walk off the cars. The first ones doors open, and Gerard steps out.

Ray walks away.

Gerard sees her, and runs to her, scooping her in how arms.

"Gee?"

He's holding onto her and taking shaky breaths.

"Gerard? Are you okay? Where's Mikey?"

His grip on her tightens as Bob walks off, and goes out the station.

Belle tries to push Gerard away, her hand having slipped from Frank's.

She sees the boots of a soldier and goes to call Mikey's name.

It dies on her tounge.

"Oh God." her hands curl tightly around the fabric of Gerard's jacket, trying to keep herself standing upright, "Oh God, Gerard. Why didn't you tell me? Oh God oh God oh God."

He doesn't let go of her as she begins to sob.

"I'm sorry." he gasps, as she presses her forehead over his heart.

"I am too." she whispers, her vision disappearing.

She passed out at the train station.

....

Well...uh..

Okay.