thirty-six - down in flames

                                    

                                          






chapter xxxvi.
(   homecoming   )
                          
i'll be the one to keep you warm and safe
and we'll be carrying each other
until we say goodbye on our dying day
because i've got you, brother
brother ─── kodaline
                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          
up in the air
september 30, 2016






                          
My ears still ring, that sick humming feeling like it's shaking my brain. The air in my lungs feels like broken glass and with every breath I take, it's like I'm being split open from within. 
                          
I've lost him.
                          
I've lost Peter.
                          
And it's all my fault.
                          
Tears rain down my face, leaving tracks on my dust-covered cheeks. My hands shake as I drop my face into them, my shoulders beginning to shake and shudder from the silent sobs bubbling up in my chest. But then, through the crushing silence, is a small strangled voice that reaches me through the rubble. 
                          
"Hello?" A desperate sound begs for help, "Hello!"
                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          
My head quickly shoots up and my eyes widen in shocked relief.
                          
"Peter?" My voice cracks as I try to scream for him, "Oh my God, Peter! Ar-are you hurt?! Where are you?!"
                          
"Please, hey. Lisa, please!" Peter coughs and cries from underneath the concrete my crumpled form had landed upon, "I'm down here, I'm down here!"
                          
I stumble off the broken concrete pinning him down, trying to find his face amidst the dust and smoke. And when his tear-stained brown eyes find mine, I let out a choked sob and try my best to reach him, our fingers barely brushing each other's.
                          
Peter starts to panic, near hyperventilation as he yells, "I'm stuck, Lees, I'm stuck! I can't move, I can't-,"
                          
"Hold on, hold on, I'm gonna try to get you out, okay? Just-just stay with me."