Blood Is All I Can Remember ~🌸~ 1

- 23 -

Steve stared out into the distance. The sun was going down now. Red and blue flashing lights danced across everyone's faces.

"Steve..." Danny came towards the ambulance his friend was sitting in. The man climbed in and sat down next to Steve. Danny didn't say a word.

"I can't..." Steve felt tears fall down his cheeks. Danny wrapped an arm around Steve and gave him a hug.

"I promised him, Danny." Steve wiped his eyes and shook his head.

"Promised who?" Danny asked.

"I promised Jacob that I'd look after Amy. Keep her safe." Steve looked at his hands. "Everyone on my team was badly wounded. I was the lucky one. I was able to walk. Jacob, couldn't be carried. If I carried him with me, he would've died on the way." Steve shook his head and sniffed. "Anyway, Jacob had this picture of a girl in his hands. He was smiling at it." Steve smirked. "I asked him if that was his wife and Jacob laughed. He told me it was his daughter, Amy. Told me she was going to the police academy tomorrow." Steve thought to the first time he kissed Amy. The way she laughed at his corny words. That smile on her face. She was breathtaking. "Before I left, he told me that if anything should happen to him, I should take care of his daughter. Watch over her." Steve sighed sadly. "But, I somehow feel like I've broken that promise." His eyes began to tear up again.

"It's not your fault, Steve." Danny replied. "Please, don't blame yourself for this. Please."

Steve only shook his head. How could he have let this happen to Amy?

~🌸~

[One week later]

Steve sat on his bed in the dark. His heart felt heavy. The bed felt awkwardly empty. He was trying so hard to move on, but it just didn't feel right.

"Steve?" Danny's voice came from downstairs.

Steve knitted his eyebrows together in confusion. Why was Danny here?

Steve walked out of his room and down the stairs. "Danny, what-what are you doing here?"

"Umm..." Danny ran his hand through his hair. "Amy's funeral is today. Her family wants a closed casket." Danny sighed. "I'm here to help you, because that's what friends are for, okay?"

Steve gave a small smile. "Thanks, Danny."

"Come on," Danny patted Steve's shoulder. "I'll make you breakfast."

"No," Steve replied quickly. "Last time you did that, you almost burned down my house."

"That was a one time thing, alright?" Danny walked towards the kitchen and Steve followed him. The two continued to argue as they walked into the kitchen.

~🌸~

"Steve?" Danny had the front door open. "Are you alright?"

Steve was in his Navy uniform. His hat was held at his side. He couldn't stop thinking about her.

"Steve?" Danny snapped his friend out of his thoughts.

"Yeah?" Steve turned around and looked at Danny.

"It's time to go." Danny said sadly.