Episode Three, Part 2:
Never Let Me Go

And it's breaking over me, a thousand miles down to the sea bed.
I've found the place to rest my head. I'm not giving up, 
I'm just giving in. Never let me go. 

The first of the bombs went off, pounding against the wooden dam a mile ahead. As it tore through the ground, the water that Ares was in rippled at his feet. His stomach swirled, a nauseating feeling taking over him, and he felt as unsteady as the ground beneath him. 

He had time before the dam ahead would break and the water would reach him - maybe a minute if he was lucky, and so he knew he had to give one final attempt at freeing himself, no matter what it cost. 

Ares reached into the water, placing his hands on either side of the rock he was caught between, bent over with his face inches away from the water. He drew in a deep breath, steadied his hands, and then pushed, hoping it was enough. 

He struggled for a few seconds until he felt something snap. Crying out it pain and in complete agony with his now-broken foot, Ares continued to pull himself out, but it wouldn't work. He could break his entire leg, and it still seemed that he wouldn't be able to get out. He was stuck. Trapped. No hope of ever leaving the water. 

He had a moment to decide how he would respond: would he fight until his last breath for an impossible hope that he would be fine, or would he accept his fate - chose to remember what amazing things he had experienced, and the people that he loved? 

Ares held tight onto his radio, raising it close to his mouth. He still didn't know if anyone could hear him, but that wasn't the point; there were things he needed to say before he left. Before the water reached him. 

He breathed out, trying to calm himself from the pain still pulsating in his foot. It wouldn't matter in a few moments, he told himself, he had to ignore it. It didn't matter. 

"Wynn? Quill? Elara?" He began, feeling a piece of himself collapse as he said their names, perhaps for the last time. 

"I don't know if you can hear me. Every channel is glitching and it's just noise. But I... I'm sorry. Somehow I set the bombs off for the higher dam. Don't worry, I'm sure it'll break this section when the water gets here, but... I'm here as well. My foot's trapped in the rocks and I think it's broken. I've tried everything, but I can't get out. I'm sorry," he repeated his apology again, knowing the consequence was that he had to leave his siblings behind. "I'm sorry." 

///// 

They could hear their brother's voice between them, the horror of what they knew was happening. The dam up ahead continued to roar and thunder, and then the sound they had been waiting for as the wooden barriers gave in and the water started to beat it's way down, shooting in Ares' direction. 

"No, it's too late. The water's coming." Ares' voice murmured through. "I can see it." 

Wynn looked straight ahead - a glimmer of light peeking through the trees from where the forest ended. And as he squinted, he could see the divide where the river cut through, racing to get there before the water did. 

"It's a spectacular view, no matter where I look," Ares continued, remembering the words he had said to Fenn not too long ago. He smiled faintly as he spoke, trying to hold onto the memories of those that he loved. "But it'll be my last." 

"No... No! Ares!" Wynn screamed out, hoping that he was close enough for his brother to hear. He gave everything he had to run faster, beginning to see the dam clearly now. 

"It's okay. I'm sure there are worse ways to go." Ares whispered, his voice beginning to break, preparing himself for what he knew he had to say. He drew in a shaky breath, whimpering as he exhaled, struggling to find his words. 

"Wynn, if you were here, you know what I'd tell you: take care of them. Keep each other safe. All of you. Don't let them take Ell," he said. "You have to stay together... I'm sorry I won't be there with you guys anymore. Not physically." 

The water was rushing down - waves metres high as they raged towards Ares, creeping through the day to steal him away. 

"But I'll always be with you. I promise. I'm so sorry... I love you. I love you so much." 

"Ares!" Wynn's scream tore through him, breaking through the final trees into the clearing, his brother now in sight. He looked over at the approaching waves, moving faster than he ever could. It didn't even matter if he could get to his brother before them because he wouldn't be able to get them out. He would go down with him, and Quill and Elara would be left without two brothers, not just one... Even with his heart screaming for him to run to him anyway, Wynn couldn't. It was as if Ares' words were already imprinted inside him: take care of them. So that's what he had to do instead of trying to save his brother. 

As Elara and Quill appeared beside him, seeing what had Wynn already noticed, Elara instinctively ran past her brothers, determined to get to Ares no matter the cost. But Wynn reached out, grabbing onto her hand and pulling her straight into his chest. He wouldn't let go of her. 

She screamed and fought against him, gaining the attention of Ares who - in the water - finally looked over to see them there. He could see the radio that Wynn had dropped from his hand now resting by their feet, and it was a confirmation to him that they had heard him. They had heard what he needed them to hear. That he loved them. 

Ares smiled empathetically, nodding his head once, firmly, as he gazed on at the three of them. It was a goodbye. 

He didn't take his eyes away, not even when the waves were spitting water onto his skin, not even when the waves crashed into his body and the force was enough to pull his broken foot free. He became engulfed, lost from sight of his siblings as the vicious water pushed Ares down the cliff and towards his death. 

He fell backwards, a final fleeting memory of the four of them, and then he was gone. 

Ares was gone. 

Three // Part Two
I love you. I love you so much.

Farewell Ares Bell.

17/04/20