After

Chapter 11

Maddy and I trained harder than ever the next day. We weren't sure whether Rogue would come today, or in a year. The guys brought us food every now and then, but didn't bother to ask why we were training so hard. Finally, we stopped to take a break. Mason walked in, "What's with you girls today?"

"Training." We chugged down the water given to us, wiping our faces with dry towels. Our faces were red and our clothes were drenched in sweat. I yawned, a little tired.

"Why?"

"We need to improve." It was true.

"By how much?"

"Enough to get rid of many people trying to kill me." Mason looked at me skeptically.

"If you say so." Mason nodded at us and left. Maddy looked over at me.

"Sam, you need rest."

"I'm good." I was pretty tired. Last night provided no sleep for me, the horror of the future flashing before my eyes.

"I'll keep watch and continue training, then when I sleep you do the same." Maddy wasn't going to budge. I nodded, getting up to unfold a bed. I laid down on it, pulling the blanket up to my chin, my eyes slipping closed as I fell into a dreamless sleep.

...........

I woke up to see Maddy tiredly striking things. I quickly roses, feeling energized but tired. I walked over to her, laying my hand on her shoulder. Her fist swung at my cheek. I lazily caught it, her exhaustion making her movement sluggish and slow. Her eyelids dropped and she had bags under her eyes. I got her over to the bed and laid her down, pulling the blankets over her as she fell asleep. I stayed beside her, not bothering to train. What if this was my last night here? What if last night was my last night? I'll never see Devon again without apologizing. He'll be mad at me, forever. I don't even know if he loves me anymore. This thought made me cry. Tears rolled down my cheeks silently. I don't know how to say goodbye to someone who doesn't know you're going to die. I love Devon. It's not past tense, and never will be. I just don't think I can bear it. How would he feel if I was dead? Would he be glad I was gone? No, I can't think that. Would he be guilty? Probably. Would he be sad? I think so. Would he cry? I hope not. He's never cried before, at least not that I've seen. I've never met his parents, or any other family other than Maddy and Laura. Does he have parents?

My head was being cradled in my arms as my tears fell and rescaled my dried shirt. I cried so long and hard that I was crying. At some point, somebody walked in the room and sat beside me, holding me for a moment, cradling me as I cried. Whoever it was left again later. Finally, I had cried myself out, and I sat there, resting my head. Maddy woke up, yawning and stretching noisily. She took on look at me and came over, wrapping her arms around me and holding me tight. She held me, resting my head on her shoulder as I sighed.

After a while, I rose, ready to face anything, but not train. Maddy understood. We headed to the kitchen, looking for food. The fridges were practically empty. I looked over at Maddy, who nodded. I pulled out my cell phone, dialing for pizza. We ordered one large pizza, topped its chicken and onions. Maddy and I sat there doing each other's hair in different ways while we waited. Finally, the doorbell rang. I ran to the door with my hair curled and spilling across my shoulders. I opened the door to see a man in a hat with a pizza box. I signed the receipt before handing him some cash. I thanked him before heading back in. I opened the pizza box to find a note taped on the inside of the lid: Time is almost out, Sam. Enjoy your last pizza while you can.

Bile rose up in my throat as I read this. I handed the note to Maddy, who read it silently. She slipped it into a plastic bag and used a magnet to stick it on the fridge, she pulled out a plate and handed it to me, setting a slice of pizza on my plate. We ate in silence. Cameron came down later, quietly as he looked between us. I kept my eyes on my plate, afraid that if I looked up, I would burst into unwanted tears. Maddy kept her eyes on me, as though sensing how perilously close I was to breaking down.

"What's going on?" Cameron looked between us. I heard Maddy move and then heard Cameron move towards the fridge. I heard the crumple of plastic. Things were even quieter. It was as though the world had stopped spinning, the people stopped living, and time ceased to exist. Cameron came over beside me, putting his arm around me. I begged myself not to cry as he held me against him. I couldn't cry. I had to be strong.

Soon enough, I was holding onto Cameron and he held me tight as I cried again. It seemed as though I couldn't stop, but how exactly was one supposed to act when they knew they were going to die? I felt Cameron's hand come up and stroke my hair as he said, "Hush. You'll be alright. Nothing is going to happen to you, I won't let it." He said the last part with such conviction that I wanted to believe him. I almost did, but I knew it was inevitable. Cameron rubbed my back gently. He lifted me and brought me to the couch, gently setting me down. Maddy joined us, and sat down. Maddy picked out a movie, pressing play. A girl ran. She could have been me. I sank down in my spot, listening but not paying attention as I remembered.

I saw Devon, running down the street, his body fast and graceful, but not fast enough. Green eyes chased him. Green eyes. It wasn't Kent, of that I was sure. Who else had green eyes. Green. Devilish. Sly. Rogue. Rogue had green eyes. The man chasing Devon was Rogue. Now he was after me.

The movie played on and beside me, Cameron fell asleep. Maddy struggled to stay awake as the movie continued on. I was wide awake. Nothing was going to make me sleep. My heart beat frantically as I thought about what I knew was to come, but this time, there were no tears. I was ready.

And just when I decided that, the window beside me shattered.

💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦

Wah! Such a short chappie....the next one will be the last...and then an epilogue kind of thing....prepare your tear ducts. I am....I know I'm about to cry for this whole next part.

I love you all....even if you hate me after the last chapter!

💧💀Ana