Paradise

Chapter 10 - Love Hurts

"Let us commend Logan Allen to the mercy of God. We therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life. May he rest in peace." The priest said, with one last prayer.

A dark, gloomy, haunting day was upon us as the casket was being blessed. Silent cries and hysterical weeps filled the air. I knew for a fact no one felt as ghastly dreadful as I did at that exact moment. His life was taken in the place of mine, such a gruesome, unfair disaster that was not supposed to happen. The atrocity of it all demolished my heart and took a chunk out of my soul. I was wrecked and nothing in all of existence could repair me. I will never come out of this murky overcast. He risked his life for me out of the good in his heart and this is how he was repaid, with his demise. Darkness found its way to my heart, in an essence I'd never be whole again.

My legs were made of stone; it seemed to be, as I dragged myself to walk up to his open casket. His once glistening eyes filled with a shining contentment were gracelessly shut as the color began to fade away from his stiff, chilled body. Then it dawned on me. He would never smirk again, his eyes will never twinkle with glee, he would never burst out with laughter, or he would never console someone ever again. His glowing face will never see the light of day ever again. The shot he had at his future was now slaughtered. He will never get a chance to see what could have happened to him, all the accomplishments he could have made. The breath of life was winded from him and it was all because of me.

"Who let you come here?!" A woman's voice shrieked behind me.

It was Logan's mom. More tears streamed as I noticed how terribly lifeless both his parents looked. "Ma'am, I was just on my way." I whimpered.

"Leave, now, you murderer! He wouldn't have wanted you here!" her face brightened to a shade of angry, fiery red, "You did this to him! You should be getting buried, not my son!"

My face was soaked with tears because everything she was saying was true. Through the aching agony, I knew I didn't deserve to be there. "I'm-I'm so sorry, believe me."

"Get out of my sight before I kill you myself!" her torment appeared through her eyes.

I took one last look at Logan's deceased body when his eyes bolted open.

"Avery, wake up. Please, wake up."

~ ~ ~ ~

I woke up to the warmth of a body being compressed into mine. Confusion stuck over me instantly. I was surrounded by bright, white lights and the smell of rubbing alcohol. I was in a hospital room. The arms wrapped around me firmly were Logan's. I was squirming to get free so I could confirm Logan was alive and breathing.

"Thank God!" Logan said with fear in his eyes. He was fine.

I struggled to speak; no noise came out as I realized my throat was desperately dry.

"You scared the living crap out of me back there. Thank God you're all right!" he said graciously.

"Wh-what happened?" I managed.

"You don't remember? Some douchebag was trying to kidnap you when I went to get us drinks. Some guy who was eating outside the restaurant noticed him trying to take you away so he ran to tell me. I ran as fast as I could to get to you and when I caught up to you guys, he bashed your head into a wall right before dropping you to go fight me. He got me real good on my chin and on my nose but a couple of guys at the restaurant helped me out and we took him down while some lady dialed 911."

"I thought you were going to slip into a coma or wake up with amnesia. Thank God you're all right! I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry, Avery. I shouldn't have left you." He said bringing me closer in our embrace.

"I...I thought you were dead." I said, frightened.

"What? No. I just got a few hits to the face, nothing too bad. How could you be worried about me when you're the one in a hospital?"

"Because I didn't want to lose you." I said counting my blessings.

His eyes showed sympathy as he moved in closer to kiss my forehead, his hand moving a strand of hair from my face, "You aren't going to lose me. We're in this together, whatever it may be, remember that okay?"

Despite all the pain shooting form almost every part of my body, I still hugged him with all my might, thankful I was in his arms.

A doctor already halfway through the door cleared his throat to get our attention, "Avery Lancaster?"

We both looked up.

"Sorry to barge in but I just thought I'd let you know that whenever you're feeling up to it, you can go home. I'll just prescribe some pills for the pain and bruising." He said scribbling down writing on his clipboard.

"You mean she'll be fine?" Logan rose to his feet.

"Of course, son. There were no signs of a concussion just a few bumps and bruises here and there, nothing major. Your bruises should heal up in about two weeks with these pills I'm prescribing. Lucky for you, your forehead didn't need stiches but keep the wrapping on until tomorrow afternoon, your head should be healed by then." He said smiling, revealing his wrinkles surrounding his eyes.

Logan let out a sigh followed by a grin ear to ear, "Thank you so much, sir." He extended his hand to the doctor.

"My pleasure. Take care you two." He said as he exited.

Logan turned to me with the same irresistible and charismatic smile I'm so used to seeing and said, "I think you should stay and rest for a little while longer."

"I don't want to stay here another minute. I hate hospitals. Can we leave please?"

He looked serious, "Avery, I already let this happen to you... I don't want anything else to happen to you on my watch," he was caressing my face slowly, "I don't want anything to happen to that gorgeous face of yours. Let's stay until you're strong enough to walk without anything hurting, okay?"

I gave in. After all, he just wants the best for me.

"Now make room for me, I'm not leaving your side." Logan said squeezing up against me on the hospital bed meant for one. Even after what had happened, his arms wrapped sound me made me feel safe and secure. I leaned against his chest and was able to hear his heartbeat. "Go to sleep, you must be exhausted."

I fell asleep to the sound of his heartbeat and his arms wrapped firmly around me. There was no place I'd rather be.