Mount Olympus [3]

Spoiler

Kay.

Rayah

Crying, I squeeze Jace's hand again, Jackie sitting next to me and slinging an arm around my shoulders. I look up at Nic, wiping my eyes, "Car accident."

Jackie swallows and tightens her grip on me, "S'Alright, Ray," She whispers.

Nic

They shut the doors, speeding off to the hospital, and I take my brother's free hand, trying my best not to cry. C'mon, Ja. Hang in there. You're going to be alright.

Rayah

I sigh, nodding, and look down at Jace, "Stay with me," I whisper, tears falling, "Please."

Nic

We get to the hospital and they separate him from us, taking him to be checked at by a doctor before allowing us into his room. When the doctor comes back out of the ICU room they stuck him in, his face tells it all.

No.

"You may seem him if you like," I catch the end of what the doctor's saying, "Just one at a time though. I don't know whether he can handle any more than that, even with the life support. You have limited time with him though. He won't make it past evening, I'm afraid."

I swallow and look down, composing myself from looking up at Rayah.

"You go first," I whisper, "I-I've gotta call Alyx...tell him."

Rayah

Jackie looks at me, knowing I won't be able to handle it, and walks beside me, "Rayah..." She whispers. I don't move, my body frozen in place. A tear runs down my cheek and I close my eyes for a second, holding it in.

Jackie pulls me into a hug and I swallow, not hugging back. No. This isn't happening. I can't live without you.

Choking on my words, I open my eyes and look to Jackie. She motions me in and I hesitate before doing so, feeling like I just wanna kill myself. I sit beside him and take his hand, "I don't...know what to do now..." I whisper, holding back all emotion.

Jace

Rayah's whispers echo in my mind, her hand holding mine. Everything hurts, but doesn't at the same time. Something like an anvil lays atop my chest, or feels like it, and makes every breath harder than the first. A constant beeping in the background stills for a few moments every so often, skipping before heading back to its original pattern.

"I don't...know what to do now..." Rayah whispers.

It takes me a while to come up with a response, to remember my limited telepathy.

Everything's fine. You'll be fine.

Rayah

His voice eches into my mind and another tear runs down my cheek, "No. I won't," I state, trying hard not to break down, "You're my everything. I can't just lose you like this. I'd rather die with you then be without you. I can't stand this, Jace. I don't know what to do anymore. It's too hard to take in. I-I just can't--" I sob, not able to finish, looking away.

Jace

My own emotion bottles up inside, but has no outlet to spill over. I use whatever strength I can find and squeeze her hand, her sobs causing my heart to break.

You aren't losing me. I'll always be with you. Promise me you won't do anything reckless, Ray. Please. Logan and Riley can't go without both parents. Promise me you'll stay with them.

Rayah

I cry even more and squeeze his hand back.

"No..." I whisper, "I can't promise you anything. I can't handle this. I don't want to suffer for the rest of my life. I don't want to be depressed. I don't know what I'll do..." I look back at him.

Jace

I don't respond right away at that, a tear of my own slipping from my eye without me opening them.

This isn't the end, Rayah. Believe that, please. This...this may be where I disappear, but this isn't where you do. You have so much to live for... You dying with me...for me... It's a waste. I love you, and I know you love me, but please believe that what you want isn't best. There's no peace in it. You can find peace after me...

Rayah

I realize my time is almost up and I think about it, "But It is best. I know it is. It's better than suffering. I'm not just letting you go like that..." I say, sniffling, "I promise you that."

The nurse comes in and I swallow before looking back at Jace. But I DO love you. So freaking much.

Jace

Another tear slips from my eyes and I don't want her to leave, not letting go of her hand.

D-don't leave me. Please.

Rayah

I swallow again, "I have to...my time's up," I say, still crying, "I'll...See you later," I say, standing, "I promise."

I kiss him quickly on the lips before squeezing his hand one last time. I promise.

Walking out, I stop before Jackie and she watches me, a tear running down her cheek, "You okay?"

I shake my head, walking out of the area, "No, I'm not."

Nic

I release Jackie's hand, letting her tend to Rayah, and take a deep breath before walking in to sit at my brother's side. Tears stain his face, unable to be masked. I use my sleeve to wipe them away before sitting and taking his hand.

"I'll make sure she comes back in," I whisper, "I promise."

He doesn't respond, not that I expected him to, and I do my best not to breakdown in front of him.

"This isn't fair, Ja. You of all people..."

I shake my head and wipe my eyes, sighing.

Rayah

Jackie runs after me and I just run to the nearest forest, dropping to the ground behind a tree and sobbing my heart out. My heart burns, something I've never felt before, and I wrap my arms around myself, looking down at my boots and not saying a word.

Jackie looks around, not finding me.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Jackie

Sh*t.

Sighing, I run back into the hospital and to the room where Nic is with Jace. I take a step in, worried, "I can't find her."