We Met Because Of Death

Final Goodbyes

( Max's part)

Everything was different now, I felt like a stranger in my skin, like I was hollow. Maybe this is how it feels to be dead. The  brighter the door was the more the feelings got stronger. Before the door it felt like I was almost alive... almost. We couldn't speak to Haylee and Austin anymore or at least not as much as we use to, it tires us. We can still see them but they go on with their lives. They worry about us, so do I. I knew that it was time to go. The door was open now , wide enough that I could feel the light warming the skin on my back. Brittany is ready. She stands by the door with a look of so much craving I have never seen before.
It was time for us to move on, to finally rest in peace.
" Max the door it opened."
She grabs my hand and tries to drag me to the door. When she realizes I won't budge she looks at me with a pout.
" Max it's time we have to go." The door opens even more at her response. A flash of guilt causes me to look down, wanting nothing more than to move away from it. Brittany catches me forcing me to look up at her. The light from the door shining into her eyes.
" Max are you ready to go?"
Was I ready to go? I've been so lost inside my guilt and the worry of everything that was put upon my shoulders for so long. Now that it's all been taken off it's like I don't really know what to do anymore. This should be a sign right? There is nothing left for me here so I should rest.... but why does it feel so wrong? Haylee was safe and now she was happy. The only thing I ever wanted for her was that. I accomplished what I wanted so why can't I just give in?
" Max?"
I feel Haylee walk in behind me. I turn to face her. She looks at me, the only time she could ever see me was when she was asleep.
" You found me."
She smiles and looks around the room. I look up too the room was a small bedroom. Nerf guns and Legos all over the floor. Rocket ships covered the blankets and walls with glowing stars that stuck to the ceiling. The only thing that was clean was the clothes neatly stacked in the corner.
" This is your bedroom."
Haylee holds a small picture in her hand. My name that was written in the back was now charred away. Only half of the picture remained.
" I was seven, Mom took me to the park. We met Dad there and we had a picnic. Mom use to always take pictures of me."
The picture falls to ashes, Haylee drops it in surprise, she looks up at me. Her eyes say everything she's thinking.
" This is the house I lost my mom in."
" The fire."
" This use to be my bedroom. Mom painted the rocket ships on the wall, she loved painting. I was in my room when it happened. Playing with legos when the alarm went off. I remember being scared and running out into the hallway. Dad was already heading towards me. Smoke was getting thicker and I couldn't breath. Dad was holding me in his arms running down the stairs. He was calling my mom's name but she never answered. Dad left me outside and went back in to find mom, he did but he was too late. She had inhaled too much smoke and suffocated."
I pick up the picture of mom that laid on my dresser. She was laughing and had me in her arms. It was her birthday.
" Max why are you here?"
I look up at her, she stands just a few feet away. Soot was smeared in the side of her face. I reach out to wipe it off but she stops me.
" Max what's stopping you from moving on?"
" It's not what you think."
" Then tell me why it's not."
The room changes, I stand face to face with the door. Haylee covers her face from the bright light but she can't resist to turn back and look at it amazed.
" Tempting isn't it?"
" W- what is it?
" The door to whever it takes those to rest in peace."
" If it's here in front of you why don't you go?"
"I'm scared."
The door vanishes, as another door closes us into another room. I collapse onto the bed fighting the erge to break something. All this anger in me boils inside. The things that held me captive pressuring me and holding me down. I was losing my grip on reality I couldn't control it anymore.
" Max tell me what you're thinking."
I snap up quickly forgetting that Haylee was here. She sits next to me gripping onto my hands. The look in her eyes softens me to the core. I grab her hands and hold them in my lap.
    " Why are you scared?"
" Do you think I'll see her?"
          " You're mom."
   " Yes, I haven't seen her in so long... I miss her but what if she isn't there."
   " Max she will be she's probably waiting for you right now."
" If she isn't though what will I do? I miss her so much and I'm so afraid that Tyler could hurt you again and sometimes I wish I wasn't dead. Watching you and Austin live your lives it makes me really see all the things I'm gonna be missing."
    " Max I know that it's hard having your life taken from you it's hard but it doesn't mean it's over for you."
    " Of course it's over Haylee I'm dead."
  " Max, you were dead but you still found someone to fall in love with didn't you?"
   " I did but -"
" You love her don't you?"
       " Yes I really do love her."
I stop and look at her Haylee leads me to the door and opens it. The light touches my skin once more but all I see is Brittany. She stands by it looking into it. Every  part of her wanting to go inside. She wants to rest but... I'm  holding her back.
    " I know you're scared but you have her now Max. She's always gonna be there for you, she lost everything to you know, all she has is you. Just like all you have is her. And maybe you will see your mom and then you'll have her too. Tyler will never hurt us again Max he's gone and so should you. It's your time, go be with her."
She was right, it was time. If I couldn't do it for myself then I had to do it for her. Brittany is  the only one I have now and maybe mom will be too. If she isn't there then.... at least I still have Brittany. It was time for us to go. I turn towards Haylee, she stands beside me her blonde hair a mess down her shoulders. Her blue eyes, the bright smile. The girl I onced love I was now saying goodbye too.
   " You won't forget about me will you?"
     " How could I ever forget you? My ex who came back to haunt me, save me from a killer and then ran off into the light. One hell of a story kinda hard to forget."
I chuckle and hug her tightly. Her face lays on my chest and I know she's taking it all in just like I was for the last time. She leans back to look at me and rest my face into the palm of her hand.
     " Be careful Max."
" You too blue eyes, you too."
I kiss the palm of her hand and wipe away the tear that falls down her face. I step towards the door feeling the warmth seep through my skin. A hand rest on my arm. Brittany smiles at me her loving face rest against mine.
          " I'm ready."
" I know, see you on the other side I'll wait for you there."
She kisses me and steps away. She faces the door a smile on her face. She closes her eyes and steps into the light. My heart jumps when her body fades away entirely. I look at Haylee one last time.
        " I love you Haylee."
" I love you too Max forever and always."
         " Forever and always."
I turn to the door memories of my mom and Haylee flash before my eyes. My two wonderful artist  and then Brittany. The one I was waiting for. I close my eyes and step inside the door. The warmth pouring inside of me the hollowness fading away. I open my eyes and smile. Goodbye Haylee.