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Lucas' POV

I could not let Jackie die. I would rather die than let the woman who has suffered enough go through death. I just couldn't watch her take that bullet.

So, when I saw Maddy pull out her gun, I knew things would not end well. I had thought she would not pull the trigger but I was wrong when I saw her finger push the trigger. Knowing how fast a bullet was, I blocked Jackie to take the bullet with my eyes shut the moment she fired the gun.

But when three seconds went by and I did not feel the burning and body-numbing feeling of the bullet, I opened my eyes and felt like my soul left my body when I saw the last person I was expecting in front of me.

"Axel?!" I screamed at the top of my voice, the same time Jackie said my name.

I couldn't feel my body as I watched Axel slump to the floor. Everything around me became dark and I found myself falling to my knees and crawling toward him. He rolled onto his back and my eyes went straight to his bleeding chest. My hands began to shake as I stretched them toward his body.

"A-Axel," I stuttered, fear making my body go cold and numb.

Blood drooled out of his mouth and his eyes fluttered. I could see beads of sweat forming on his face. His chest moved up and down at a fast tempo and a strained look masked his face.

"Axel," I whispered his name and cradled him up in the crook of my arm. I placed my hand on the bullet holes on his chest.

"L-Lu..."

"No, don't say anything," I said, tears filling up in my eyes with some running down my cheeks.

"I... I'm f-fine," he stuttered, blood pouring out of his mouth.

"I know, I know. Don't speak," I urged on and he smiled.

"I-It h-hurts," he said, breathing hard. "Lu-"

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Maddy drop the gun and back away. Jackie fell beside me and Barry at Axel's head. I looked at them before staring back at Axel whose skin was turning pale.

"Call an ambulance!" I yelled at no one in particular. I was afraid, I didn't want to lose him. Barry rose to their feet and moved away from us, dialing on their phone.

"I'm sorry," I heard Maddy say before she ran off.

Jackie placed her hand on my shoulder and I looked at her. She was crying, tears on her cheeks.

"I'm going to make her pay. Stay with him, please."

I panicked when Jackie rose to her feet and went around us.

"Where are you going. Please, don't go after her," I said, too weak to argue.

Jackie frowned. "I'm not letting her escape."

I shut my eyes when she moved and I opened them to look at Axel. I held his hand, it was cold compared to mine. He gripped my hand tight as his breathing became ragged. When I saw his eyes go wide, I saw fear in them.

"Lucas, I'm scared," he said. "I don't want t-to die."

I bit my lip, stopping it from wobbling. Hot tears rolled out of my eyes, dropping on his chest. I shook my head and brought his hand to my cheek, hoping it would warm his cold hand up.

"You're not going to die," I said. "I'm not going to let you die. Stay with me, please."

Barry returned and fell at his head again. They placed their hands on Axel's face. Axel shut his eyes for a few seconds and opened them to stare straight at me.

"I'm s-so cold. I'm scared. Please, help me," Axel pleaded in a low voice.

I shook my head and held his hand tighter.

"Axel, look at me. Everything is going to be fine. You're going to be fine. We'll all be fine. Just stay strong, stay with us. You know what? We'll have a boys' day out, just you and me. We'll play games, even basketball, we'll have fun together, anywhere in the world. Just mention and I'll pay," I said, fear multiplying in my voice.

I felt as if I was losing him when I noticed he wasn't paying attention to me anymore. His eyes were distant and not on me but on the ceiling.

"Ba-Barry," Axel whispered.

"Yes?" Barry replied.

"I... I love you," Axel said.

"You can tell me this tomorrow," Barry said and Axel smiled before looking at me.

"Lu-Lucas, I'll be fine. P-Promise me you'll take care of Jackie," he said and gulped hard. "I... I love you, bro."

"I promise," I said. "We'll take care of her together."

Axel shut his eyes and smiled. My heart dropped when his hand became limp in mine. My mouth fell open and I placed my finger against his pulse— Nothing. My heart started to pound as I realized he was gone. I swallowed and shook my head, not accepting what had happened.

"Axel," I said, shaking his shoulder. "No, no, no. Axel, wake up. Wake up, bro. Don't do this to me."

I waited for a reaction but got none. I cupped his cheek, which was cold.

"Axel, listen. I know we weren't the best of brothers. I know we didn't grow up with the best bond but I promise to make up for it. Don't leave yet, please."

I got angry when he didn't respond or open his eyes. I gritted my teeth and pressed his head against my chest.

"Why have you taken him from me?!" I asked the heavens. "Don't let him go! I promise to be the best to him! I promise not to hate him! I promise not to turn away from him! He is my brother, the only one I have! Why him?!"

I shut my eyes, more tears flowing down my cheeks. I held his head closer, desperate for any type of reaction from him.

"Please, come back," I whispered. "Come back, please."

I felt a hand on my back and I flinched. I opened my eyes and looked sideways, seeing Barry. Their eyes were moist from tears and their face red.

"Go check on Jackie," Barry said.

My eyes widened when I remembered that Jackie went after Maddy who had killed my brother. There was no way I was going to let her take Jackie away from me.

"Okay," I said and placed Axel's head in their arms.

I stared at Axel's unmoving body one last time before rising to my feet.