Last Stop

Prologue

Smoke. I could smell smoke. Like something was burning. And why was it hot in here?

I’m pretty sure my actions registered faster than my mind because before I knew it my foot was caught in my duvet and I went tumbling to the floor with a loud thud. I got to my feet, dusting myself off before rushing to the door.

When I reached out and grabbed the door knob I immediately retrieved my hand as the handle was boiling hot. I grabbed the closet piece of material – which just so happened to be my shirt – and used it to open the door. I yanked it open only to be welcomed by huge red and orange flames basically swallowing up the front of my room.

Without actually thinking things through, I had backed up and started running towards the opening. I hurdled myself over the flames only to hit my head on the top of the door frame, landing in the fire. I could feel the burning sensation of flames consuming my body, setting my arms and back alight, making me scream in agony.

Using what little energy I had left I pulled myself out of the flames and started rolling on the floor, trying to put out the blaze.

It wasn’t long until I heard the bloodcurdling screams of my brother from down the hall. Quickly pulling myself to my feet I started running down the narrow hallway, wincing in pain. The flames that were hugging my body not long ago had now vanquished leaving behind what I can only imagine as blistering skin.

Reaching my brothers room, I twisted the handle jerking the door open, only to see what was left of the boy I loved so dearly. His jet black hair was swept over his face, covering his chiselled features. His once beautifully tanned skin was now a deathly pale colour, and the bottom part of his body was engulfed in flames. His usually sparkling blue eyes were now lifeless as he lay on his bedroom floor not moving.

“JEREMY!” I yell, trying to awake him. “JEREMY, GET UP!”

He still wasn’t moving, just lying on the cream carpeted floor while the blaze spread like wild fire around him.

Pulling myself through the thresh hold of his room I tried making my way to his lifeless form, dodging bits of the house that was crashing down. I was almost in reaching distance of him when I felt a hand wrap around my upper arm pulling me away from my brother.

“JEREMY! JEREMY PLEASE GET UP!” I kept screaming, ignoring the pain that was flaring up my arm caused by the strong grip around it.

Once I was completely dragged out of the room I looked up to see my dad in his PJ’s. His messy black hair was matted to his forehead by sweat – probably from the heat – and his pale blue eyes held worry and fear.

He turned to look into the room and his face dropped when he saw his only son lying on the ground.

“Amelia, go outside with your mother, I’ll get Jeremy!” I stood there in shock, my feet concreted to the ground. “AMELIA, GO!”

I finally registered what he had said and was out the door within seconds.

I looked around for my mother, tears brimming my eyes. Why did this happen to us? I asked myself.

I found mom sitting in the gutter head in hands crying. I quickly made my way over to her and embraced her in a bear hug. She quickly returned it and we sat there for what felt like forever. I tried to ignore the pain that shot through me when my mother squeezed me tight to her. I suppose she noticed me wincing because she pulled herself off of me and looked down at me, concern lacing her features.

She did a once over of me, her eyes lingering on my arms before she traced over my burns with her fingers. Her feather like touch didn’t hurt my newly blistered skin but I could only just feel it.

I looked down to study my arms with her only to realise I was only in a bra and booty shorts.

“Hey mom?” I asked voice shaky. Her head snapped up to my face, tears brimming her eyes. “Can I borrow your cardigan, it’s chilly and I’m only in a bra.”

She looked down at me and realised I was in fact right. She tore off the thin material quickly and gave it to me. I smiled gratefully up at her putting it on. 

The sound of sirens filtered through my ears and I turned around to see 2 fire engines, 2 ambulances and a cop car speeding around the corner. It wasn’t long before I was sitting in the back of the truck, my burns being treated by a paramedic.

A few fireman were putting out the rest of the flames when the front door swung open and a body bag was rolled out on a stretcher. My father was following close behind, his head hung low and tears falling from his blue eyes. It didn’t take me long to realise who was in that bag.

Jeremy.

It was at that moment I felt my world crumble. My heart clenched at the sight of them wheeling him away from me forever.

I quickly got to my feet and ran towards the bed. “Jeremy!” I cried “Jeremy please don’t leave me! I need you, Jer! Please Jeremy, Don’t leave!” tears were flowing from my eyes like a waterfall. 

I felt someone embrace me from behind but at that moment I didn’t care. All I cared about was seeing Jeremy. But I knew I couldn’t.

I turned around in the strong embrace to come face to face with dad. His eyes held more emotion than I’d ever seen. Looking at my father only made me want to cry more. Jeremy took on all dads features; His hair, his build, his bone structure… his eyes. Those eyes that would tell me everything would be okay just by one look. Those eyes that would shine brightly when his favourite football team won, or when he would beat me in video games. I would never see the look in his eyes.

The reality of never seeing my brother again hit me head on, and all I could do was cry. My father pulled me into a tight embrace, stroking my hair and whispering in my ear that everything was going to be okay.

It would never be okay. Not with Jeremy gone.

Here is the prologue to ‘Last Stop’ guys. I was actually really excited about doing this. I even shed a tear writing this but that only because im a big baby.

Anyways I really hope you enjoy my little cherubs. Stay sweet!

Xox

-Angel