“I’m fine, Ward. I didn’t feel a thing.”
There she stood, in the middle of rubble, draped in the softest of flowing pinks that stood still at her feet. Her dark hair was free and cascading, just like he remembered. He imagined if it still felt the same, like silk between his fingers, but his hand jammed on the trigger of his gun, unable to pull away from his defensive stance, not even for her. His gun lowered to his side, unable to aim the weapon on the girl.
He wasn’t capable of inflicting anymore harm on the only pure thing he’s come across. She wasn’t ready for this war. They had brought her in, unprepared, and she paid the ultimate price.
She stood in the center of it all, surrounded by the black char the explosion had left behind. Yet, much to his relief, she didn’t bear a scrape or burn in the slightest. She was glowing, radiant with a healthy glow that fit her bright personality. He could remember her laugh and the way she couldn’t help but open her lips, unveiling a wide set of brilliant teeth. He clung to that image, soaking in the last image of hope she posed.
“I’m fine, Ward. I wasn’t hurt. I didn’t feel a thing.”
She wouldn’t of have, not if she was in the center of it all like it was reported. She would have been obliterated, scattered around the perimeter not in parts but in ashes and atoms. A nuclear explosion of that size would have been a quick death, and he prayed that it was true.
His heart clenched thinking of her short life.
“It not your fault. It was out of our hands. Don’t blame yourself, Ward.”
She stretched out her hands, slowing cascading her palm down his cheek. He nuzzled into her touch, reveling in their rare moment as their last. She smiled, not a tear in her eye as she looked up at him with pure, concentrated hope.
“I don’t blame you. I don’t hate you. We’re human. We are forced to make decisions. I don’t believe you’re evil. We just went different roads but don’t worry, we’ll meet again. I promise.”
She gives him one of her famous smiles, and the first time, he smiles with her, too, since their separation, believing in her words.
“Don’t go,” he pleads softly, still warm as he pressed his cheek deeper into her tender touch. “Not yet,” he drawls. She shook her head, shaking off one of her curls off her shoulder.
“I’ll always be with you, Ward.”
She places her other hand over his chest, his heart exactly, and a sudden warmth overwhelms him. His heart pounds fiercely against her palm, as if suddenly breathing air after a moment of drowning. His face feels hot, chest tight, and then the guilt consumes him like a wildfire. For the first time since he can last remember, he bows his head in shame.
“I’m so sorry, Skye,” he mumbles, closing his eyes to hide the bitter tears that pool behind his lashes. He didn’t want to show anymore weakness even though his world had crashed down around him. “I tried to protect but it wasn’t enough. I…I tried, but I failed. I can’t make it right anymore. It’s… too late.” He pursed his lips and bowed his head lower to touch her forehead, just like he could remember their last kiss had been like, but instead of feeling her touch, he found emptiness.
“I have to go now, I’m…weak…trying to…hold…”
She was gone, leaving behind the echo of her hauntingly angelic voice, leaving only behind the destruction that had taken her soul, body, and spirit.
I'm so, so sorry guys. I'm suffering bad Skyeward feels and experimenting with my fanfiction prologue just me the longer version has a happy ending but damnit, what I did was not okay here and I will gladly shuttle myself to the corner. If it makes anyone feel better, I'm still crying.