I stared out the window of the car as we made our way to the hospital.

Tears were streaming down my cheeks and I couldn't stop my hands from trembling.

It was the past repeating itself again.

Max was my brother.

The only thing I could hope for right now that he wouldn't end up like him.

So many people had left me- my mother, Colton, Becca, and my brother. That accident had caused so much pain I had only recently been able to conquer. 

I had been able to conquer that pain with Max and I was more than afraid to carry on without him... I wasn't sure I could do do it all over again.

I leaned against the window, watching as the rain started to pitter patter against the pane- reflecting my mood.

One second- life was there. And the next? It was gone.
One second- there was happiness. The second- it was no where to be seen.

It was a gift from hell.

I prayed Max would be ok. I kept telling myself that maybe the car accident wasn't that bad. Maybe he would be given a second chance.
Maybe we both would.

"Honey, everything is going to be ok. I promise" Kim said, looking back at me through the mirror.

I nodded, letting out a small sniffle "I hope"

I clung onto that word: 'hope' as we arrived at the hospital and I un clicked my seatbelt, climbing out of the car.

I hated hospitals. Hate was actually a nice word compared to my actual feelings. Yeah, everyone hated hospitals to some degree- it's not like anyone actually likes them. But for me, that hate was onn a completely different level.

I bolted toward the door, Kim still back at the car. My feet pounded against the ground and the wind rushed past me, sending chills down my spine.

I needed to see him.

I threw the front door open and was greeted by a surge of warmth.

"Which room is Max Leeman in?" I asked the lady at the front desk.

"Who are you?" She asked, raising her eyebrow at me, "I need first and last name before I allow you to go upstairs."

"Finnly Cage" I said, gritting my teeth impatiently. I pursed my lips as she took her sweet time looking through the guest books.

"He's in room 124." she said.

I nodded rashly and ran toward the stairs, climbing them as quickly as I could. The stairwells echoed with the sound of the even pattern of my shoes hitting the floor. I was out of breath by the time I reached the level Max was supposed to be on.

I scanned the room number plates, counting them off in my head as I passed them.

Room 100

106

112

118

124

I rushed into his room, out of breath.

"Max?!" I said

My heart dropped when I saw him lying in the hospital bed, a sling on one arm and a bandage covering half his forehead. His blonde hair was disheveled and there were bags underneath his eyes. He looked sick and horribly pounded...and I was scared. 

He was asleep and I had a feeling of uttermost dread until Mr.Leeman came into the room, "He's going to be alright" he said, "Just a little banged up".

"Thank God" I said, letting out a big sigh of relief.

He was going to be ok.

"He was in a worse state when they brought him in" he paused, "Blood everywhere. I was so worried I had lost him...and for something as stupid as a text."

My heart dropped again.

"A text?" I asked, my voice breaking.

He had been responding to me...responding to one of my desperate texts asking where he was.

This was my fault...and if he had died...that would've been on me.

Mr. Leeman must've seen the pain in my face because he patted me reassuringly on the shoulder, "It's not your fault" he said, "He may have been texting you, but he's ok. Nothing bad has happened"

It was hard to believe in what he was saying when all I could see was the boy I loved lying in a hospital bed.

And after everything that had happened - I still couldn't help but compare Max to my brother. Both of them had gotten into a car wreck by texting. Although the outcomes has been significantly different, it still hurt knowing I could've lost both of them to a text.

"He was very lucky" Mr.Leeman said, "The doctor said if he had crashed any other way, his rib cage could've taken a full blown hit and he wouldn't have made it. My son is a fighter- in more ways than one. I'm not sure how I would fair if he had left me so soon" he said.

I swallowed and let my eyes drift over to Max. I'm not sure how I would've fared if he had left me so soon.

"Oh thank goodness Max is alright! I just got news from the doctor!" Kim said, walking into the room.

I smiled as Kim came over and gave me a quick hug, "See darling, everything works out" she said, giving me a squeeze.

I nodded, "Yeah, I guess it does"

"Would you like me to bring you guys anything? There's a cafeteria with a Starbucks downstairs." Kim said, looking over at Mr.Leeman.

Mr.Leeman shook his head, "No it's fine, I was just planning on going down their myself" he said, "Finnly, do you want to us to get you anything?" he asked.

I shook my head 'no'. On any other normal day I would've jumped at the mention of 'Starbucks', but I wasn't in the mood today, "Thanks, but I think I'll stay here with Max, in case he wakes up" I said.

Mr.Leeman nodded, "Would you mind letting us know if he wakes up?" he asked.

I nodded in response, "Of course"

Mr.Leeman bent down next to Max and kissed his forehead before leaving the room, Kim in tow.

Once they were gone, I took Max's hand in mine and laid my head delicately on his chest.

I could feel his heartbeat against my cheek and I found myself relaxing as the beating calmed me. He was alright and everything was going to be fine.

He had a close miss, but it was still a miss nonetheless. And I would forever be grateful no real harm had come to him.

I must've laid there forever before I heard a faint cough.

"Finn?"

My head jolted up and a smile spread across my lips, "Oh thank God you're ok, Max" I said.

Max opened his eyes slowly and a small grin appeared on his face, "Yeah. Me too" he said.

We sat in silence for a couple minutes and I wallowed in my happiness.

Then something went off in my brain and my happiness turned to frustration, "What the hell were you thinking, Max?! You could've died! You could've left your dad and everyone that cares about you! Why on earth would you risk everything for a text?" I said angrily, "How could you?!" I asked, my eyes starting to fill with tears for the nth time today.

"Hey, hey" Max said, reaching out to comfort me, "I'm sorry, truly I am, Finn. I would never do anything to hurt you" he said.

"You could've turned out like him. You could've hurt me without actually meaning too." I said.

"Finnly, I'm nothing like Colton. Please-"

"No, I'm not talking about Colton" I said, "You could've ended up like my brother." I said, a hiccup erupting from my throat, "h-he died. He's gone. he left us all. He was texting and driving and he hurt us all- that could've been you." I sobbed.

Max pulled me toward him and my head was on his chest again, "I had no idea, Finn. I'm so sorry. I had no clue" he said, "It won't ever happen again, I promise."

"Ok" I said weakly, the tears still streaming down my face.

"Everything is going to be ok now" he reassured me, rubbing my back.

My sobs slowed and I let him soothe me.

"I'm sorry, I really am. I so sorry" Max said after awhile.

I lifted my head up and wiped my face with the back of my sleeve, "I know, I'm sorry I lashed out" I said, "I'm just really happy you're ok. I'm not sure what I would do if you had left. I'm not sure how any of us would've fared if you had left."

Max nodded, "Yeah, We're ok now though" he said.

"Yeah. We are." I said.

"You don't have to worry about me leaving you ever again; I'm not going anywhere" he said.

I nodded and smiled, "I know."

We stayed in silence for an hour...maybe two...maybe three. But it wasn't the awkward type of silence where both parties are mentally searching for something to say. No, it was the type of silence where both people felt completely and utterly at peace. It was the type of silence I wanted to hold onto forever and I couldn't think of a better person to share it with.

Over the past 6 months things had changed. I wasn't who I used to be, and neither were those around me. My family had changed. My friends had changed. My everything had changed.

At first I thought this change was bad. At first I thought there was nothing I could do to be as happy as I had been before everything had happened.

But I was wrong. The change was good. The pain I went through was worth it to become the person I had become.

Because through the pain I had become a better person, a stronger person. Through the pain I became the person I wanted to be. Through that pain I had found what happiness really was. And suddenly I realized what was really important.

And lying here next to Max, I felt the peace I had for so long desired. That peace couldn't have been found with Colton, it couldn't have been found with the past.

Because now, the past was just that. The past.

And there was nothing more to be done than to move forward.

<><><><><><><><><>

So...that's the last official chapter of Saving Finnly Cage ! The epilogue is still coming along with the bonus chapter though so stay tuned!!

I wanted to take a lot of time to make sure that this chapter was as perfect as it could be (even though it is a little short). I actually wasn't planning on ending it here, but I though this was a really sweet moment to officially end it so... voila!

Big things are to come October 30th! The epilogue will be posted here and The Paparazzi Puppet will start updates again!

I also do need you guys to let me know who's pov you want the bonus chapter to be in and when ( I know some of you gusy have already done this in previous chapters- but if you haven't, please let me know here!)

I love you all and truly appreciate all the support I have recieved! I hope you guys continue to stick with me through my next story!!

Song of the Chapter: Act Like You Love Me - Shawn Mendes

As always, Kisses- A