A Fostered Love

Chapter Thirteen

*Kyle's POV*

The pain had subsided to a dull numbness by the time Layla had made her way back over to me. I was starting feel a little lightheaded and the cold had enveloped me entirely.

I was dying.

I couldn't lie to myself about that much longer either. There would be no way I could survive this at the rate my blood was leaving my body. I called the police a minute before I came to save Layla, so they would be here any second.

Unfortunately, they would discover another dead body and a mourning girlfriend.

You never really think about dying until it is actually happening. You don't realize how much time you waste each day as life moves on around you. I was approaching this concept all too late. There are so many things I wanted to do, wanted to say, but I didn't. I regret that now.

This is not how I pictured my dying moments.

Surrounded by regret and pondering how much time I've wasted are two things I never would have thought about.

But as I have learned from my previous experiences with loss, God is doing this to me for a reason. Maybe it was time to join my mother and father up there, to be reunited with my family once more.

Would they be proud, disappointed, shocked, calm? What emotions do you feel when your only son joins your streak of death and despair?

The last thing I would want to do was upset my parents.

Especially in my dying moments.

Layla fell to her knees beside me with a look of desperation on her face. She frantically put her hand up to my wound, which hurt a lot more than it should have, but I didn't squirm. I knew what she was trying to do and I wouldn't stop her from having these last attempts at saving me.

"Stay with me." She whispered, which only broke my heart more. I can't survive this. I want to take her hand and promise that I will be okay, but I just can't this time.

"I don't know..." I started, but pain erupted from my stomach when I shifted "...if I'll be able to this time."

One of her tears hit the floor beside me and I lost it. I had to say something to her before I left. I had to tell her how I felt.

"Just a few more minutes. Please." She begged, but I don't have a few more minutes. I may just have a few seconds left.

I started my declaration, "Layla, I want you to know-,"

"No. Don't do this. No last words. You are going to live. Do you hear me?" She interrupted trying to convince herself that everything was okay.

"I want you to know that," I continued, "I love you."

Then I let go. I shut my eyes and let my consciousness slip away.

But my dying wish had been fulfilled, Layla knows how I truly feel about her.

That's all I ever wanted.

*Layla's POV*

I sobbed harder than I ever thought I could. This feeling was far worse than the one I had after the attack. I felt as though my heart was being ripped to pieces before my eyes. I let my emotions pour out with my sobs asking why it had to be him. The one person I actually cared for just taken away from me.

I am in love with him.

There's no denying that fact anymore.

These last few days have brought us closer together than we ever were before. From the many laughs we've had to the many kisses we've shared, I fell more in love with him each day.