Fragile Fire

Chapter 22

Death.

What is it really?

Is it the end? Or is there something else out there?

Some people latch onto the idea that there is something. It makes leaving easier. I've lived my whole life afraid of death. So afraid that I've been fighting every moment terrified of what would happen. The not knowing. The future. I've fought life because I was afraid of death. I thought that if I live life death will come sooner... yet death comes whether or not I live. 

I've been so scared that I would hurt others so I hurt myself. I took every feeling of hatred and anger and took it out on myself. Cause then at least no one got hurt. Right? As much as I wish that I could say that I would take it back I won't. I can't. It's a part of me. Of my story.

My mom was right.

- present - 

"You'll pay you, bitch! I loved you!" Kaiden yells at me as he's being pulled across the roof. Away from me.

"V," Archer whispers, "are you coming?" 

"Yeah," I whisper taking in my surroundings one last time. Archer takes my hand and we walk away from the helicopter. Away from Kaiden and the fire room. Away from every guilty emotion, I've felt since the fire took them. Not the fire. Kaiden.

Taking one last look I see three figures. The shortest one waves at me and runs into the building leaving the others behind. Finally, the last two blow me a kiss and walk away, hand in hand. 

"V? Are you okay?" Archer asks me and I turn to face him. Looking at him now I can finally breathe. Finally, for the first time since the accident, I feel like my lungs aren't clogged with smoke. They're as clear as Archer's eyes.

"Yeah," I smile taking off my gloves and leaving them outside the building, "I finally am."