The Blame Game

CHAPTER TEN

A/N; I would like to dedicate this chapter to @teenage_waste for volunteering her character's life to save the others. You are a true hero :)

"The carnival was really fun. Well, until David showed up. Thanks for inviting me." Alaska says, watching us. Tears shine in her eyes, but she's smiling, trying to be strong for us.

"Your welcome." Li chokes out. She's visibly shaking, and I can hear the pain in her voice. She's been so strong, it's a wonder she didn't break sooner.

"You guys were everything to me. You made my life worth living, and I wish I'd realised that sooner. I made the best of situations I was given, but sometimes it was hard. Don't be sad. It's my time to go, and who knows? Maybe I'll find somewhere where I can truly be happy. I won't have to worry about anything anymore; only wonder at what is to come. So smile for me." Alaska's voice is wobbling, and she stops while she tries to compose herself. Such a strong girl.

Sierra is banging against the glass of her tank, screaming in anguish. Tears are streaming down her cheeks, and her words have all been mashed into incomprehensible gurgles. I can feel my own tears carving a hot path down my cheeks, and everything grows blurry. I bite my lip, trying to stay strong, just like Li, just like Alaska. I pull my arms up across my chest and hug myself, my nails digging into my back. I can't do this, but I have to. For Alaska.

"Do you know what I'll miss most?" she asks, managing to compose herself enough. Despite everything, she is still smiling.

"I'll miss you guys the most. I know you can beat this. Just stay strong, okay? You can do this. Just promise me one thing? Never forget that I love you all. Goodbye." Alaska smiles and waves to us.

No one moves. All I can hear is sobbing; the horrible choked sounds of uncontrollable grief. Sierra is curled up on the floor of her tank, rocking back and forth. Her mouth is open, and a low, sad moan escapes her body. Her hands are pulled tightly around her stomach. I know the feeling. It's like something is being ripped out of my body... my heart.

David is still watching, evilly grinning. He looks down and plays with a few buttons, and Alaska falls. Li rushes to the side of the pit, screaming. "No! Alaska!"

I run forward and pull her back on top of me just before she can jump in after Alaska. I won't let her death be for nothing. She wants us to survive, and we'll bloody well survive. But not before I kill that bastard on the screen.

I hold Li tight as she struggles against me, and eventually she goes limp and hugs me, crying hysterically. I don't know what's worse. The fact that I can't feel anything; just an endless pit of grief as Li and I hold each other and cry, or the fact that the only thing I can hear is Alaska as she screams in pain.

The sound is halting, like she's trying to stop herself, still trying to be the rock we all need.

"Just scream." I whisper, closing my eyes to shut everything out. "Just scream."

I start rocking back and forth, Li still in my arms and me in Li's. Her nails dig into my arms, and it helps to dull the pain of losing Alaska.

I don't know how long we stay like that; it feels like an eternity of pain and sorrow. Alaska's cries slowly die down, and eventually become short sharp whimpers of agony. "You can go now. Let go." I cry. I just want it to end. "Let go Alaska."

A/N; So, we say goodbye to one of the beloved characters. As an author, it grieves me to say farewell, but I hope that the others will survive and keep the memory of Alaska Rossita alive. As always, stay awesome my fabulous readers, and don't forget to vote. Thank you so much for everything :)