I Was Here ~ Beyoncé

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"Well, I guess this is it, Nate."

*bang*

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I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that and something that I left behind
When I leave this world I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember so they won't forget

Tasha let out a gasp as she shoved Nathan's body hard, pushing him out of the line of fire. A sharp pain ran through her abdomen as she looked at Rafe, and for a moment it was as though time had stopped completely and it was just the two of them left on the planet. Rafe's violent eyes turned terrified, his hand shaking as he let the pistol fall from his hand. Tasha's hands went to her abdomen, eyes widening as she saw the crimson colour soaking through her shirt.

"Tasha, no!"

Blood cascaded down Tasha's front as she fell to her knees. Before she could fall back, a pair of strong, shaky arms held her, keeping her up as the fire burned around her.

Her vision was blurry as she looked up, her gaze just barely meeting Rafe's as tears streamed down his face. She had never seen him cry before.

Not once.

"Tasha?" He sobbed, shaking her as Nate helped Sam over to her. "You idiot! Why would you do that?!"

"I couldn't—" She gasped for air. "I couldn't watch you kill Nathan... I couldn't watch you become a-a monster..."

"You're going to be okay," Rafe held his hands firmly on her wound, trying to keep his body from shaking in complete and utter fear. "You'll be fine!"

I was here, I lived, I loved
I was here, I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know I was here

Tasha gasped as she felt a wave of pain flow through her body, tears streaming down her face as she realized this was it.

This would be her end.

"Help me!" Rafe cried to Nate, who looked absolutely broken himself.

"I..."

"We have to get her out of here." Sam said as he limped over, his eyes fearful as he saw the blood leave Tasha's body. "We have to work together, Rafe, or none of us will make it out of here alive."

"Fine, Fine! Just — save her!" Rafe could feel the sticky blood on his hands — her blood as he lifted her into his arms. "I got you, Tasha. You're going to be alright."

"Rafe..."

Rafe carried Tasha through the ship, Sam and Nate moving any obstacles in their way. Once in the water, the three of them pulled Tasha as far from the cave as fast as they could swim. Rafe ignored the pain nawing at his abdomen from his wound, instead focussing on how Tasha's eyes would drift close every few moments, the cold water splashing her face all that kept her aware.

The group narrowly made it out of the cave in time. The harsh waves pushing Tasha's body hard towards the shore. Rafe held her close, shielding her from the brunt of the rocky shore, and as quickly as he could muster he pulled her onto the sand, which quickly became a crimson colour. Once he laid her gently onto the sand his hands moved to her wound, pressing as hard as he could, which made Tasha whimper in pain as her eyes closed.

I wanna say I lived each day until I died
And know that I meant something in somebody's life
The hearts I have touched will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference and this world will see

"Tasha! Tasha! You need to keep your eyes open," Rafe ignored Elena's gasp as she helped Sam and Nate onto the beach, all three immediately heading to Tasha's aid.

Tasha's chest barely moved as her eyes fluttered open. "I'm... so cold..." her teeth chattered. She tried the best she could with blurred vision to look at the figures in front of her. Rafe was so close she could feel his entire body tremble as he pressed firmly on her wound.

"I know, sweetheart— I promise, you'll be warm soon." Rafe lied, tears falling down his face as he gazed down at her.

"You..." Tasha smiled as she fought the urge to close her eyes, her breathing slowing with each passing moment. "You chose me."

"What?" Rafe asked, utterly confused as he sniffled.

"You finally... let the treasure go..." She whimpered as another wave of pain flowed through her body. In the distance she could hear Elena frantically speaking into her radio, the sound nearly lulling her to sleep.

I was here, I lived, I loved
I was here, I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know I was here

"I'm so sorry," Rafe cried as he looked at her. "I'm so sorry, Tasha. This is all my fault!"

Tasha shook her head, "Don't... don't blame yourself... Rafe...."

Tasha's hand shakily reached upward, touching his cheek lovingly. He leaned into her touch, sobbing as he felt the blood leave her body.

"Please don't leave me, Tasha. Please." He begged, hearing the whirring of a plane in the near distance. "See? You hear that, sweetie?"

I just want them to know
That I gave my all, did my best
Brought someone some happiness
Left this world a little better just because I was here

"Hmm?" She hummed, her eyes mere slits as the darkness threatened to take her from him forever.

"Sullivan is almost here! You're going to be alright, Tash. Just — just hold on!"

"Rafe..." Tasha's hand fell to his chest as she became weaker. "I love you, Rafe. Don't... don't forget that..."

I was here, I lived, I loved
I was here, I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know I was here

Rafe shook his head. "No — don't say that! Don't say goodbye! You can't leave! Please! Please! I love you!" He cried as he shook her body to keep her alert. "I love you so much. I know I fucked everything up — so many times but you need to live! We — we'll get a house, wherever you want, darling — and we can have a family. Or..." He sobbed harder as he saw her skin turn paler. "If you never want to see me again, I'll stay away — Just please, please Tasha! Don't go... please..."

Tasha smiled at him one last time, a single tear falling down her face before her eyes closed, her body went limp and the whole world went dark. The last thing she could remember hearing was Rafe's heart wrenching screams.

I was here, I lived, I loved
I was here, I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know I was here

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