MASH

Chapter 31: Once and For All

~~~ Jessica ~~~

“It’s alright, Jess. It’s alright.” Kristle comforted me, her arms around my body. We were both seated on my bed, my blanket wrapped tightly around the two of us.

Moonlight shone through my open bedroom window as I didn’t bother switching on the lights. The clock told me that it was already two in the morning but I didn’t care; memories of the horrible accident kept on flashing through my mind, reminding me of my terrible sin.

Flashback

I skidded to a stop in front of my apartment. Just right in front of me was Benedict and I opened my mouth to call out his name when I heard him calling Delia’s name. I scowled; He's never getting it through his thick head, is he? Delia is never going to love him again. Not after knowing about his and mine relationship. Clenching my fists, I glared at Delia, full of venom; damn her to the deepest pits of hell.

“Delia!” Benedict yelled again upon spotting her in front of her. Tears were rolling down her cheeks and she stared sadly at Benedict before spinning around, her hair flipping.

“Delia! Please, listen to me!” Benedict shouted again, his voice full of desperation but Delia heartlessly ignored him and crossed the road blindly through her tears.

“Benedict, she doesn’t love you at all.” I shrieked to Benedict, running towards him and grabbing his hand. Facing him, I tried to make him see sense. "Delia doesn't love you at all, Benedict! Why can't you just understand, damn it?"

Benedict opened his mouth to answer when a bright flash of light attracted my eyes. I gasped in horror and Benedict, hearing my gasp, turned around. In front of us, a black Mercedes zoomed past us, aiming straight for the completely dense Delia. Hearing the loud sound of rubber against roadkill, Delia spun around in shock. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped open in shock yet she stood rooted to the ground, paralysed by fear and horror at her approaching death."

"Delia!" Benedict roared as his girlfriend stood in the path of the car, not moving an inch at all. She's doomed... she's doomed... The two words kept on repeating themselves in my mind as I watched the car zoomed past.

Then, a thousand things happened at once.

Brakes screeching loudly, almost deafening my ears... Heavy footsteps, running as fast as possible which was still futile. A scream full of fear escaped and sliced through the air. Was it Delia's or did it belonged to me? I didn't know and I don't care as I watched in horror.

Watched as Benedict rushed forward and pushed Delia out of the way, placing himself in her shoes, sacrificing himself in order to save her. I watched as Benedict closed his eyes, almost mournfully, and then the car slammed into him.

"BENEDICT!" The voice of two women rang across the street as Benedict fell, rolling a few feet away from the impact before finally stopping lifelessly. Blood oozed out of a wound from Benedict's head as the offending car drove away. I waited with bated breath, waiting for him to open his eyes, waiting for him to at least move a finger, waiting for something that might never come. Not now nor ever in this lifetime.

Then, something burst into life within me and I dashed towards Benedict's lifeless body. He couldn't... He couldn't die. I blinked back tears as I forced my legs to move faster. Over by the other side of the street, Delia rushed towards Benedict as well, tears flowing freely.

I reached Benedict first. Cradling his bleeding head in my arms, I yelled at him. "Benedict, Benedict. Damn it, don't die on me! Benedict, please, Benedict." I won't let him die. I won't let him die on me.

Then, a miracle happened as Benedict's eyes weakly opened and I gasped. There's was still hope for Benedict. He wouldn't die. He wouldn't die.

"Benedict, it's me. Please, hold on as long as you can." I hastily told him, my voice high and squeaky from fear. Benedict glanced briefly over me and then whispered one word.

One word that sent my world crashing down around me.

"Delia."

No... It can't be.... He can't be chossing Delia over me. I thought in my head but it was reality. Benedict's weak hand reached for Delia's as I watched with increasing horror. No... No...

"Bendict!" Delia shrieked in distress, grabbing his hand and a small smile appeared on Benedict's face. He didn't want me at all. He never did.

I leaned back as Delia rushed forward to take my place. Brushing his hair gently, Delia cooed to Benedict as their hands entwined together. "Benedict, please. I love you." Delia sobbed uncontrollably as her shoulders shook.

Benedict didn't reply at all. He probably didn't had the strength. Instead, he stared lovingly into Delia's eyes and it stuck me how he had never stared at me that way. Delia stopped crying and forced a smile as she kissed Benedict's blood strained cheek.

I looked away; I felt like an intruder, spying on them. Which was true. Benedict's love was never mine, was it? I was the third party in their blissful relationship, I singled-handed destroyed it and every single bit of Delia's trust to Benedict. I had commited such a horrible sin.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's husband

I'm such a sinner. I smiled wryly as I lifted my head to the gloomy sky.

And that's when the tears finally started to fall.

Short? Yes. Took a long time? Yes Horrible? Yes.

...

Just me go and sulk in the corner for my horrible writing skills.