Angel Wings

Chapter 11

Jem begins fixing the fastening to the last horse as you carefully feel the strings connecting you to everyone. Thomas is still shocked, but he feels exhausted causing you to worry. Jessamine and Sophie are both terrified while Tessa is shocked and frightened. You cannot feel Agatha anymore causing your heart to give a pinch. You may have not been close with her, but you were still fond of Agatha.

Jem finishes the fastenings and the both of you jump onto the driver's seat. He takes off and you hold on tightly to the seat in fear of what you will find. You're halfway there when you feel a string snap and break. You give a cry at the feeling and put your hand to your heart as it feels like it's shattering inside of you. Jem turns your way concerned at why you have cried out like that.

"(Y/N) what's wrong?"

"Another string connecting me to someone snapped and it hurts like hell. I know for sure Agatha is dead though because I cannot feel her anymore. Give me a second to find out who it is."

He nods and you slowly feel out among the strings trying to see who it is. You feel the coach stop a you find out who it is and your heart stops. Before Jem can grab your arm, you hop off the seat and run to the open Institute door. The door being open disturbs you, but you have no time to reflect on this. Jem comes up behind you as you see your brother with automatons holding Jessamine and Sophie. Your hand goes to the necklace at your throat as tears burn your eyes. You can see him just behind Nate and the others. You attempt to get past Nate, but he grabs your arm in a bruising grip. You snarl at him and he just gives you a partonising smile.

"You will not keep me from him." You say with a deadly stare.

Nate looks shocked and slightly loosens his grip giving you the perfect opportunity. You wrench your arm from his grip and get past him to gall to your knees in front of Thomas. You place a shaking hand to his cheek and feel not warmth but cold. A harsh sob escapes your throat as you move up the stairs to pick his head up. You set his head in your lap and hold one of his hands as you see the automatons drop Jessamine and Sophie. Jem easily hack apart one of the automatons as you begin closing yourself off. Henry and Charlotte come in just after Nate leaves, talking about what happened at de Quincey's. You stay silent as tears stream down your face and your heart shatters into millions of pieces. Jem comes over and squeezes your shoulder before looking for Will and Tessa.

You bow your head as a soft sob breaks free from you. A sharp breath is heard and footsteps come over to you. A slight hand lifts your chin causing you to look up. You see Charlotte kneeling in front of you causing your bottom lip to quiver. You take sharp breaths as the tears keep coming almost endlessly.

"Charlotte he's gone. What do I do?"

"Henry is going to take him so we can clean him up for tomorrow. You are going to your room where I will bring you a cup of tea. After that we'll figure out what we're going to do okay?"

You nod and let go of his hand as Henry comes forward to take him. Once he leaves the room you visibly deflate before Charlotte gets you to stand up. You walk to your room and change into your nightgown before Charlotte comes in. She gently hands you the tea which you cautiously drink. Once finished with the cup you set it to the side as you lie on your bed. Charlotte comes forward and brushes a stray strand of hair from your face.

"Tessa is alright, isn't she?"

"Yes, she is perfectly fine. She's completely unharmed, but Mortmain got away. Go to sleep for now (Y/N)."

You nod pacified with the answers as Charlotte blows out the candles before she leaves. You wrap your blankets closer for some kind of comfort. You expect yourself to cry, but you can't anymore. You feel your heart hardening against the world, but can't find it in yourself to care. Your eyes slip shut and you fall into a deep slumber that is uninterrupted.