Soul Marks

Ari: the loss

She woke up to find Zach's arms wrapped around her. His sleeping face made her smile, how does he look so amazing any hour of the day. He got up and looked at Ari. She smiled at him, shoving her face farther into his chest. She got up and started to get ready for school, leaving Zach on her bed. Once she was ready, they went down the stairs, hand in hand. Her mother smiled at her, looking proud of her, she couldn't even remember the last time she was like that. They walked out the door, going to Zach's house. He looked down at Ari and said "Ari, are you sure you want this life, you could go down the path in a couple of years and you wouldn't have to be with me. You being with me and choosing me would result in so much chaos and trouble that you don't need. I want you to be honest with me." She was in shock, she was happy with him and she didn't want any other life. She looked up at him and stay "Zach, I choose you. And i'll choose you, over and over and over. Without a pause, without a doubt, in a heartbeat. I'll keep choosing you. You're all I ever wanted, I love you. A year of chaos is better than a lifetime without you." She smiled while he nodded as he walked into his house. His house was small yet comfortable. She wondered if she was making the right decision. What would she do if he was gone?  She might have been happier now, but what would the future hold? She condemned her thoughts when Zach came outside. They walked hand and hand, loving every moment together. They turned the corner towards the school, everything was going their way. That changed once Blake showed up. Blake didn't look like he usually did, his eyes were bloodshot and he was twitching like crazy. Something was off about him and she couldn't put her finger on it. Before she knew what was happening, Blake striked Zach right in the chest. In a raspy voice, Blake looked at him and said "Payback" and ran off.  Blood soaked Zach's shirt  and he fell to the ground. She realized something about the hit, Blake didn't strike Zach with his fists, but instead with a knife. She ran as fast as she could to his side, pulling him in close.  She looked down at him in tears. The only person she had ever loved, the one person who was linked to her heart, the boy with the mark that kept her happy was dying right in her arms. Tears streamed down her face, pulling him in close. She looked at him and said "It's ok, it's ok, i'm here. Please stay alive, I need you more than you'll ever know. I'll save you, please stay with me." She screamed, praying someone would hear. Alas, an ambulance showed up and drove off with Zach inside. By the time he reached the hospital, Ari was waiting for him. He laid in the hospital bed, so lifeless and limp. She held his hand and prayed for him to be safe. When she heard a beep and looked up to see the flat line on the machine. Screaming as she watched the love of her life die in her arms. His last breath will always be remembered in her heart. Losing him was her worst nightmare that was now coming true.