They say you die twice: Once when you stop breathing...and the second time, when someone says your name for the very last time...

Or at least, I thought I died.

"Mackenzie! Mackenzie! Fuck! Don't die on me now! Wake up Mackenzie!"

I heard a familiar voice call out to me as I followed the light radiating at the end of the dark tunnel, wondering if the person calling my name was God himself.
But when my eyes were fully opened, I found myself lying on a grassy field under a smoke filled sky, my head pounding as my chest felt like it was being stabbed by a million knives every time I breathed, a burning sensation in both my arms and legs.
What happened...?
Why is my body hurting everywhere?
Why does the air reek of death, along with wisps of silver grey smoke dancing within it?
Why do I hear...screaming?
I then looked up to find Kou hovering over me, worried and panicked as he stared at me with eyes filled with fear.
His face and his clothes were all covered in ash and soot...and droplets of blood splattered everywhere.
What happened to him...?
Kou then gives me a shy smile.

"Oh thank God you're still breathing...I thought I lost you there for a second..."

"K...Kou?"

I sputtered as I then fell into a coughing fit, my chest pains increasing as Kou carefully holds me.
I suddenly realized that I have coughed up blood...which was never a good sign.
Kou cautiously helped me up, wrapping my arm around his shoulder as he held my weight.
I honestly wasn't that heavy of a person.
Kou groans as he looks around the area, covering his nose and mouth with his hand.

"We need to get out of here, who knows how many more bombs there are and when they'll go off..."

My gaze then fell to the ground, only to find an empty spot on the grass...where I last seen Juno resting on.
I then felt my heart drop, my mouth becoming dry as the sudden realization hits me...
Juno is gone.
Juno could possibly be missing.
Juno could possibly be dead.
I then tug Kou's arm, swallowing as I tried not to gag.

"K-Kou, where's Juno...?"

"Don't worry, I took him back to the apartment complex where Elias is treating him right now..."

I sighed with relief as I relax my shoulders.

"Thank God..."

"Don't thank him just yet, we can thank him after he saves both our asses! Let's go!"

Kou urges as we both run out of the field as fast as we can, hearing many people screaming in fear and agony as they ran away from the scene along with us like frightened wildebeests.
Kou mostly had to carry me due to my weak and wobbling legs tripping us over many times.
I knew that I would have to go to the hospital after this whole situation calms down.
But what about Juno?
Would he have to go to the hospital too?
Would he possibly need surgery?
It felt like forever, but me and Kou finally made to the apartment complex, the place where I called home.
Me and Juno's home.
When we entered the lobby, most of the victims were all huddled up together inside, half of them were covered in cuts and bruises and ash, the other half...butchered.
Kou then places me near the front desk, laying me on the wall as he kneeled beside me.

"I'll get Elias, you just wait here and don't move..."

"Thanks...Kou..."

Kou softly smiled as he then rushes to the other side of the lobby, calling out for Elias. While I waited for him to come back, I saw Stephano and his girlfriend Roxanne strolling around the lobby, offering the victims water and bandages and towels.
I couldn't believe that these two, whom I thought were devils, were actually helping the people.
They actually have a heart.
Roxanne then spots me and approaches me, handing me a bottle of water, her face casting a look of sympathy and pity...and contempt.

"So, where's that boyfriend of yours...?"

"...He's around here somewhere..."

"Ah, well if I ever see him, I'll deliver a message to him for you-"

"What if he's dead, Roxanne? What if he's dead and I don't know it yet..."

"...You shouldn't jump to conclusions like that, because in the end, it's going to hurt you, one way or the other. Better take my advice before you go and make things worse for yourself."

Roxanne said before leaving me behind to rot on this marble floor.
I take tiny little sips of water out of the bottle before Kou came back with Elias, who had a straight face.
Elias then smiled as he embraced me.

"Thank goodness you're alive, Mackenzie...I was so worried that you and Kou wouldn't be able to make it."

"Elias..."

My voice trailed off before hugging my sweet and caring landlord back, tears welling up in my eyes. I then pull away, almost forgetting about the one important thing that mattered to me right now.

"Is Juno...?"

"Ah! Follow me."

Elias beckons me, Kou helping me walk to the back room of the lobby where we followed Elias.
He then points to a figure who was sitting on the windowsill, staring out at the breathtaking scenery of the Zen Garden in silence. He had no shirt on, half of his body was covered in bandages where his injuries were.
His dark hair was messy, looking more grey from the ashes that covered it.
Elias then spoke to him.

"Juno, she's here."

Juno then turns around, causing me to gasp. His face had many scratches and bruises upon it and yet, he was still the same Juno I knew. He smiled when he saw me, his brown eyes gleaming with happiness.

"Mackenzie!"

"Juno..."

We then embraced each other, crying in each other's arms as we felt a mixture of sadness and relief. I tried not to squeeze Juno too much, for I didn't want to hurt him even more than he already was.
I didn't care if he had many scars on his body, for he looked even more beautiful than before.
Having scars just made you even more stronger than before, they remake you into a more braver, mature person.
Me and Juno then stare into each other's eyes and kiss, oh I so missed the warmth of his lips, I missed the warmth of being in his arms...

And I was so grateful that he was still alive.