Magic 8

Shelly

I was never able to sleep that night, but the sound of Cas' snores comforted me that he was able to. I got out of bed at 6:30 and got in the shower. The instant touch of the warm water didn't soothe me or wake me up anymore than I already was. When I redressed and left the bathroom, Cas was already up and ready to go. We returned the key to the front desk before heading to the car. "Did you sleep at all?" "No, I swore that every time that I was able to sleep I could hear her screams and see her face. I am glad that you were able to sleep though." We ate breakfast and got coffee before we returned to the hospital at around 8 a.m.. Blake was waiting for us in the lobby, and we followed him to Shelly's room. The room was bleak, cold, and as lifeless as Shelly looked even though she was awake and talking to her mom. I instantly left Cas to hold her in my arms once more but she hardly responded. "I tried to be brave, Rue, but I was so scared!" "You are safe now sweetheart, I promise that whoever did this will get what they deserve." She looked away from me and dazed out the window. When I returned to the family, they all were back to tears. Blake and his wife went to their daughter's bedside while Cas filled me in. Apparently, not only did her cancer come back, but her liver is failing fast along with a kidney. There was very little they could do at this point but supply her with pain medications; the doctors made it sound like she was going to die very soon. I came back to her side, and she frowned as she said, "That mean lady took the necklace you gave me. I guess there's no hope, Rue." I held her hand and shook my head. "There is always hope, Shell, always. Never forget that there is hope." Cas joined us and told her stories about being an actor and made her laugh and smile again. With each passing hour, she looked less and less alive until around 12:30 when Cas was telling her about his experience with Martina. She simply looked at me and smiled really wide before closing her eyes as her hand lost all grip. The machines buzzed and beeped obnoxiously while her parents kissed her cheek one last time and left Cas and I with her. I was too shocked to realize she was gone and gone for good as I sat there and watched her small face. Cas tried to pull me away, but I sobbed and shrieked, "I can't leave her!" I tried with all my might to stay, and watched as two nurses came and turned off the machines. I fell into Cas as they took her body away. With nothing more inside me beside complete devastation, I left the room with nothing short of being broken. Stage three is complete.