THE DEATH OF YOU

I jolt up as I am moved from the ambulance and rushed into the hospital. My eyes scan the rushing people around looking for Luke.
"Calm down love, you’re in safe hands," a doctor claims.
I shake my head even though it sends bolts of pain down my neck.
"Luke!" I scream when I don't see him, panic taking over every part of me.
"I'm here Cass! Right here.. like I promised!" He appears buy side taking hand and running beside my bed. I nod my approvement and agree to settle down.
"This is as far as you go superman," a nurse tell Luke as we enter the ER.
"Not a chance darling.. if I leave this girls sight her boyfriend will remove balls and that just isn't a possibility for me," he remarks.
"I'm sorry but I cannot let you in," she declines stubbornly.
"Look. She has no one here. She's been through hell and back and I'm the only person she knows and trusts, so please.. don't put her through any more unnecessary trauma."
"Come on Mel, let him in," Someone calls. She sighs and moves out of the way. he flashes her a golden smile and rushes in, catching up to my bed.
Luke stays true to his promise and stays with me the whole time, turning his head only when the doctor came to for a physical check up.
Once my cuts and bruises are treated I am moved to a private room with a police officer at the door for protection. I am told that my family are on their way to me, and that I am perfectly safe. However, I feel far from safe, more now than ever. I am grateful for Luke being here, but my head hurts, me having a concussion, and multiple cuts to my head. I was washed and given clean clothes which I am grateful for as well.
"You became a police man... after two years? What happen to football?" I ask Luke after we are left alone. I have no clue what time it is or which day it is for that matter, and afraid to find out, so instead I ask him about himself.
"Didn't get that scholarship, and my test results were shit.. so.. got in rolled instead..." He shrugs.
"Also.. I'm not a real functioning police officer yet.. they just needed all hands on deck.. and I happened to be at the right place at the right time."
"How did you lot find me?" I question.
"The Americans found the kid, took the people holding her into custody, got them talking.. they got a tip where you might be and we were training not that long away.. so we all were drafted into searching, Hendrix coming to supervise us and all," he explains quietly.
"I know Hendrix.. though I was sure Harry had killed him since he promised Harry I'm safe and Harry took his word for it... didn't Hendrix scream your head off?" I start to remember.
"Yes he has.. but I'm used to it.. and I won't get into trouble with him.. him being my uncle.. he won't report me.. I think," he crinkles his forehead.
"He's your uncle? What is up with all of these related people?" I start to shake my head but stop immediately since it is too painful.
"Here.. why don't you lie down and try and rest... Harry will be here shortly," Luke fluffs up my pillows.
"Luke.. thank you.. for getting me out... it means a lot.. even if it seemed like I wanted to go back.. and that I was a little mad out of mind.. I was just scared.. I still am... Justin still being missing and.."
"Hey Cassie.. I'm glad your alright.. don't worry.. you're safe and I'm not leaving until Harry shows up I swear.. don't be scared to sleep yeah?" He says softly.
I smile shortly and let my eyes close.
I jump up hands over my mouth, waking up from my own screaming. Luke is white faced standing over me and a nurse close behind. I'm sobbing and shaking. I cannot remember what the dream was about but I know Justin was in it.
"Justin! Did they get him?" Luke stares at me, so I ask a different question.
"Harry! Is he here? Sarah?" I sob glancing up at Luke.
"They should be landing shortly.. they will be here in a few hours.. it was just a bad dream love.. it's alright," Luke assures me sitting down on the edge of the bed, his arm on my shoulder, happy there is one question he can reply to.
"Let me give you something to calm you down darling," the nurse offers.
"No drugs please.. I can't.."
"I know sweets.. it's all in your chart.. don't you worry a bit my dear," she smiles. She gives me the same thing Anne, Harry's mum gave me all those years ago.
The nurse leaves and once again Luke and I find ourselves alone in my private room.
"Why are they flying? Where am I? Why is it taking them so long to get to me?" I demand to know. My tears dry on my cheeks and I rub my nose.
"You're at St. Andrews hospital of Dublin, Ireland," Luke informs.
"No I'm not.. that can't be.. I never got on a plane to leave England... I.."
"You did... private jet... the night you were taken.." Luke claims softly.
"That can't be! Why are you here then? And Hendrix.. he's the head of.."
"Yes... my last part of training is here.. and once it was suspected that you're here Hendrix flew out with a team, and had us and a Irish team join in on the searching."
"Why didn't my family fly out then too?"
"They kept it quiet not wanting the word to get out... to alarm the kidnappers and such," he explains.
"How long have I've been missing?"
"You don't know?" He crinkles his forehead, his brows coming down to his eyes.
I shake my head curtly.
"2 weeks. You're all over the news. Harry was going to race to get you home, but we found you right before. He is safe though, has a big team of people looking out for him."
"I... fortnight? How is that possible? It was only a few days..."
"You were drugged and manipulated to thinking the days are longer then what they really were.. that is the only explanation I have to give.. but hell what do I know yeah? I'm only starting out..." He shrugs.
Suddenly it dawns on me. The accents. The difference in scenery. I was a long way from home.
"When can I leave?"
"Once they are sure your head injury isn't in risk.. you've been banged up badly but you'll heal.. you'll be new in no time," he grins.
"You've changed since high school," I note.
"Not the dick I used to be ha?"
"You were a bloody pain that was for sure.. you and Dafni.." I sigh.
"God Dafni.. I wonder what came of her," he chuckles.
I push then out of bed, needing to wee and wanting to see the looks of me in a mirror.
The girl in the mirror is not me. Definitely not.
She has two black eyes, cuts on her forehead, and bruises on her cheekbones, chin and other places I didn't even know a person can bruise.
My hands and arms are bandaged up so I can't really tell the damage. Same with my legs and feet. I know my body is full of bruises since I can feel it, but seeing my face is enough for right now. My body can wait for another day.
I shift out of the bathroom and stand at the door, watching Luke.
He is on his phone, not realizing I'm watching him.
"She's fine man... as fine as she can be.. bruising mostly.. you can bet on it... if not he will.. maybe.. but it's not as if you'd know.. he really needs to let it go! It has been years and she will stay with him forever.. you called that years ago.. the end of this week.. sure will.. tell Mike!"
He hangs up and looks up at me.
"Who was that?"
"Remember Ashton?"
I nod. How can I forget? Him, Luke and Michael were best friends.
"He was asking about you.." Luke shrugs.
"Why would he?"
"Because.. he heard about you on the news and then he spoke to Ben and then called me," Luke explains.
"Ben? How do they know each other?"
"Big fan.. then became friends.. it helped knowing you.. since Ben has this massive crush on you and all.."
I sigh and keep quiet, not wanting to hear anymore about Ben and his undying love for me.
"Can I go for a walk?" I feel like moving?" I decide, and move to the door.
"Don't you want to sleep?" He raises his brows.
"No. I need to move.. I can't sleep.. not until Justin is found and safe!" I snap.
"Ok.. let's walk then," Luke agrees. He gets up and holds the door open for me. I mumble my thanks and we head out. Luke says a few words to the officer outside and then we pace slowly along the hallway.
My feet hurt but I need to move so I keep going.
I remember the time Luke was a heart breaker in school. The tall hot football player, that all the girls wanted to be with and all the guys wanted to be. He had it all but found himself as a police officer instead.
He is still very good looking, but not as snotty and stuck up as he used to be. I like this version of Luke and I was glad he is here with me.
When we reach the end of the hallway I stop and take a seat too tired to continue.
"I can get a wheelchair if you aren't up to walking back," Luke offers.
"No! I'll walk.. I just need a minute," I promise him.
he leans against the wall watching me.
"I'm alright.. I'm..." my voice gets stuck in my throat. The lift doors across from us open and out of them rush Sarah, Sam and Harry.
I watch as they rush to reception. As they do Harry glances our way. His eyes brush over me and back to the nurse. I watch as he freezes, his body goes still and his head turns back to me so slowly, as if he doesn't trust what his eyes just saw. His eyes brush over me once more before they find my own eyes.
We stare at each other forgetting about the people around us.
"Cassie?! Oh my god! Oh my god! Dad!" Sarah runs by Harry and over to me. She stops right before afraid to touch me afraid to make me hurt.
"I'm alright.. I'm alive," I assure her, watching the tears stream down her face.
"Cass..." Sam is right behind her. They close around me. Touching my shoulders and my cheeks, wiping at my tears and kissing my forehead softly.
The whole team my eyes dart back to Harry who is still stood at his same spot watching me. His eyes shining and his face frozen.
Sarah follows my gaze and finds Harry. She steps out of the way, pulling Sam to the side.
He is far but not enough for me to not notice the tear that slips out of his eye and down his cheek.
I smile at him, happy he finally came, knowing he would have. He always does.

Notes

thank you all for such kind words and standing by this story!
I love you all so much!
There is not much left, we are nearing the end, and I had a blast writing and sharing it with you
xxxx