Th13rteen

Chapter 17

Th13rteen

Chapter 17

*

*

Alex...

"Alex, are you almost ready to go?" My mom looked exhausted and solemn as she peeked into my room.

"Yes." I croaked, unable to take my eyes away from the mirror. My face was ghostly white, the only color being the deep purple bags under my eyes. My cheeks were thin and hollow, and my hair was tousled in a mess of brown locks. The black suit I wore was haunting, and I wanted nothing more than to tear it to shreds.

"Alright, we'll leave in ten minutes." She informed me before leaving the room.

I just nodded, unable to say another word, thanks to the lump in my throat.

My mind wandered to last week. To hands down, the worst day of my life.

*

"Please, help her!" I shouted as the paramedics pulled her from my arms.

"We'll do what we can, son." The man said, carefully lifting her onto the gurney.

They quickly left the room and rushed out of the house. Her parents had more of a right than me to go in the ambulance with her, although my desire to was so strong. I picked up Evan's panicking body, and dragged him into my car. The whole drive to the hospital, he wailed and cried in the passenger seat.

"I killed her!" He had screamed multiple times. "I killed my best friend!"

Lindsey sat in the backseat, not uttering a single sound. She looked terrified, sorry for me, and curious of Evan, all at the same time.

When we arrived at the hospital, Lindsey vanished, and I had to drag a falling apart Evan through the halls. We made it to the emergency room to find her parents solemnly standing in the waiting room, having been told they weren't allowed to follow.

After waiting for what felt like years, but was only an hour, a doctor finally came into the room. He wore a sad look, not giving me any kind of hope.

"We managed to bring her back temporarily, and to stop the bleeding." He said. "Unfortunately, there are too many wounds, and too much lost blood, to be able to recover from." I felt the remainder of my hope crumble. "We've managed to get her stable enough for you all to say your goodbyes. I'm terribly sorry." He bowed his head in respect before retreating.

Her mother sobbed, tucking her head into her teary husbands shoulder. Evan wailed in pain, dropping to the floor.

I just stood there, staring at the place the doctor once was. I was numb, unable to feel anything, unable to let it sink in.

Her parents had gone in first. They were quick, knowing she didn't have much time. Evan went in next, although it took some convincing. He was so distraught, he felt like he didn't deserve to. But he finally gave in, going to say goodbye and apologize.

When it was finally my turn, I hesitated. I stood outside her door for the longest time, not wanting to see her lifeless body. I didn't deserve to. I did nothing to save her.

I let her go.

I finally pushed myself to go in, and once I did, my numb resolve sunk away. Every crevice in my body hurt. Pure agony drowned my heart. I just about made it to the bed before I collapsed, taking her hand in mine.

"I'm so sorry, Rel." I cried. "I'm so sorry, I let you down."

I squeezed her hand, letting my tears fall on her pale face. She looked peaceful, like the pain didn't effect her anymore. The blankets were up to her chest, covering the hideous wounds I knew were there.