gone in an instant

two

Song: How to Save a Life by The Fray

"You have to get up." My brother, Gabe, shoves me over. I groan and look around, I'm in my bed. Our bed. A bottle of Sky and Whiskey, both empty, on either side of me. I see the tv screen paused on a video of us not even a year ago, dancing in the kitchen.

"You should take a shower, you stink." He says, grabbing the remote and turning off the screen. I run my hand through my hair and sigh.

"It's not worth it." I mutter and Gabe frowns.

"What do you mean?" He crosses his arms.

I lay back down, "I'm just going to get more stinky over time."

Gabe sighs and looks at the photos around the room that i've taken from albums and scrap books you made. "She would want you to move on."

"No." I respond. "I promised I'd love her and only her."

"Cole, I told myself I was going to be soft with you but I don't know how long I can watch you slowly fade away. She is gone. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I miss her too, but you need to take care of yourself or we will lose you too." He puts his hands on his hips.

"How can you even say that?" I shout. "She is everything to me!"

"Cole she is dead." He bluntly states. I give him a blank stare as I feel my emotions take over me. I grab the bottle next to me and chuck it at my brothers' face which he dodges and pounces on me, tackling me to the ground before I can get to him. He pins my arms and looks me in the eyes.

"You're killing yourself." He shouts in my face. "I can't watch this go on any longer than it has! I'm worried, mom is worried, dad is too."

I cave in and let the tears fall from my eyes as he continues, "Don't let this defeat you, I know she is watching you and it is probably breaking her to see you like this!"

He releases my arms and I break into more sobs. I never cry, but I can't explain how much I want her here with me. Gabe holds me as we sit on the floor together.

"I want you to continue your life, because you are lucky enough to still have it." He whispers and I slow my tears. I feel fire in my soul, those bastards are going to pay for taking my baby from me.

End song at 1.55