g w e n:

My pain was the loudest thing in the room, and my screams had enough sting to power a ship on the Sydney harbor. My chest was constricting, I couldn't breathe, and my throat was on fire. I knew I was screaming; yelling with fury and despair but I couldn't hear it. Slow motion would be cliche but there's no way I could describe it. Time moved slowly and it was the ultimate punishment - I was able to see, to hear, to feel things longer, and it was the worst form of torture.

I could see, hear, and feel things with such detail that I didn't think I could ever erase it from my mind. It was carved into my brain, written with power like lightning and I had no control. My screams and agonizing cries carried into the wind as I clutched onto my stomach - pain suddenly sprouting in random areas of my body.

I couldn't take it.

Not in that moment, and especially the moment in which the boy who meant so much to me was lifted and wheeled away. Lifeless yet ethereally beautiful, my heartstrings continued to be yanked in every which way, ripping me apart with no mercy. As the tears perpetually cascaded from my bloodshot eyes, I held onto my chest, afraid that my heart was going to rupture into flames.

"Luke!" I screamed, jolting forward in attempt to hold my dear friend one last time. But I was suddenly stopped when a strong arm held my frail body.

"Gwen, no," Calum's voice was soft, slowly soothing me from the inside out.

"Let me see him! Please!" I tried to wiggle my way out of Calum's clutch, but he just held me tighter.

"It's going to be okay," he told me, his voice never changing from its consoling inflection.

"Let me go Calum, please!" I cried, trying to pull myself away from Calum's grip. "Please, I want to see Luke," I turned to look up at him, watery eyes and desperation, I begged, "please, let me go."

"Baby," Calum shook his head and pulled me into his chest, "not right now. Just stay with me."

I shoved him, punched his chest, and even attempted to slap his face in my endeavors to escape Calum's grip, but he did all he could to keep us chest to chest.

"Please," I whimpered, my fists pounding against Calum with as much power as I could ever muster. But it wasn't long till I lost my strength and lost myself altogether.

I broke down. I saw my entire world shatter at the palm of my fragile, shaking hands and the pieces slipped through my fingers. There was nothing I could do about it, and that's what hurt the most. Luke was gone; in one second, in a snap of a finger, in an exhale, the boy I considered my best friend had slipped away.

//

Calum held onto me. He never let me go, not even when officers tried to pry him away to question him. Whether I knew it then or not, I needed his embrace and Calum was there to give it to me. When I woke up about a day later, the first thing I felt was warmth lace my fingers. Balmy palms pressed together as my eyes slowly opened to a dimmed room.

"Gwen?"

I turned my head, feeling pain rush through my neck and head. Wincing from the pressure, I quickly shut my eyes again but found myself squeezing the hand that still held onto mine.

"I think she's waking up,"

I slowly opened my eyes again, this time trying my hardest to keep them open. Everything was blurry at first, only shadows moving across my vision. But soon enough, the frizzy images focused before me.

"Hey princess," Calum's voice was calming as he stroked a hand through my hair.

"Hey Gwen," the bright smile of Charlie illuminated the room as she hovered above me with relief painted on her face.

I wasn't sure what was going on, or how long I had been asleep for, but I was happy that I woke up to two familiar and loving faces. It was the first time in a long time did I wake up on a bed, as opposed to the cold, concrete floor. I woke up warm, instead of cold. Clean instead of dirty, and most importantly: loved instead of alone.

Charlie and Calum stood on either sides of the hospital bed, as I continued to gather my thoughts and piece together the confusion that harbored in my mind. I sat up slowly, feeling my head throb with every subtle movement. An IV was taped to my right arm, amongst other another needle in my wrist.

"How long have I been here?" My throat was raspy and dry as I spoke.

"Two days," Charlie answered, "your parents will be here soon. They're getting picked up from the airport as we speak."

"How do you feel?" Calum asked.

How was I supposed to answer the question. It was a simple inquiry and yet I didn't even know where to begin. How was I feeling? Confused, definitely. Scared? Not so much. Heavy-hearted? Without a doubt. There was a massive weight linked to my entire being and as the seconds passed by, the more heavier it became.

"Luke," I uttered so quietly I wasn't even sure it was real, but it was. "Where is he?"

"He knew everything," Calum pipped up. I looked up at him, as he grasped my hand and sat on the edge of the bed.

"I-I d-don't, what are y-you..." I stammered, shaking my head in puzzlement.

"Baby," Calum began, exhaling as if preparing himself for an address of the century.

"What's going on?" I questioned, darting my eyes back and forth between Charlie and Calum.

Calum slipped his hand into his back pocket, pulling out a white envelop and handed it over to me. I hesitated for a moment, gazing at Calum as if I could read his mind to figure out what was contained in the envelop. With a deep breath I grabbed it, taking a peek inside. There was folded piece of paper and I stuck my fingers in the package, taking out its contents.

"A letter?" I looked up at Calum who only nodded in response. I unfolded it, my eyes quickly scanning the lined paper. College ruled, blue ink, messy yet readable penmanship.

I felt darkness bubble within me, as the last time I received a letter in a hospital, my boyfriend had died. This feeling wasn't new, and I hated the idea of it being felt before. My hands were growing damp from anxiousness, my throat drying by the second. I glanced back up at Calum with glassy eyes because I knew.

"I'm sorry, baby," Calum reached his arm out to delicately run his hands across the top of my head. He held onto my cheek, gently rubbing my skin with such care that the gesture kept me calm.

Biting my lip and shuddering from the overwhelming pain my heart could no longer take, I let my eyes drift back onto the paper in my shaking hands.

Gwen,

The letter began with my name; addressed to me. I could hear Luke speak my name, and it was haunting the way his voice rang in my ears.

If you're reading this, then you're safe. And if you are reading this, then Luke Hemmings is no longer a thing.

You were my best friend, and I am incredibly thankful for being part of my life. You were so good to me, and I'm ashamed that I was such a horrible person. I'm sorry for leaving you; for not giving you a proper goodbye, but what I'm most sorry for was inadvertently getting you into this terrible mess.

I don't have much time. I already tipped off the authorities and I have 30 minutes to get to the dock by 1AM. But before I send this letter, I need to explain because I know I won't ever get to.

I saw you when you first were kidnapped; when Fiora's men took you from the taxi and brought you into the underground cells. The second I saw you, was the same second I needed to do something, but I knew I had to be subtle. I'm already being watched, and I have your boyfriend to thank for that.

I have been working for Giuseppe too, and have been leaking him information. I've been messy, and framing my mistakes on Calum. I framed Ashton too, and I'm going to Hell for that. I'm the reason for his death and I'm hoping all this will repay for an ounce of hurt that I've caused.

I love you best friend. You will be safe; as long as you are with Calum, you will be okay. Don't miss me too much. You'll be fine without me... just do me a favor and check up on my mum when you can. I will never be able to fully repay you for everything you've ever done for myself and for my family. You are a star Gwen, and the world is blessed to have you in it.

All my love,
Luke

I folded up the note with tears in my eyes, placing it to the side before burying my face into my hands. Like my body, my entire world shook. I couldn't comprehend what I read, but what I did understand was that Luke was no longer on this Earth. He sacrificed himself for all of us, and a part of me wished he hadn't. I would never have Luke beside me again; never hear his laughter from across the hall, never have childish banter with him, never have the unique friendship that I shared with the tall, blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy.

"You'll be okay," Calum whispered, pulling my body into his. He held me with care, kissing the top of my head, and never forgetting to assure me that life will be good again,

"I promise." 

//

Finally, an update! I'm so sorry guys! Seriously, this story should've been completed months ago, but life suddenly got hard and I couldn't update as much as I was. I hope you all understand.

Thank you for being patient with me and being such loyal readers. I love you all so much! There's one more chapter left in RUN BABY RUN, and I will get it to you as soon as I can!!

Thanks again!