//EDITED//

I scream at the top of my lungs as I tackle the guy who shot Jake. I land on top of him and punch him 'till he is unconscious, and don't stop until I hear a fit of coughing behind me. Turning around, my eyes land on a badly injured Jake. Half his chest is covered in blood that is slowly spreading across his shirt. I quickly get up and take Jake into my arms, cradling him.

"Jake," I whisper as tears spring from my eyes. "Please don't...don't...please."

"Thea, you're acting like I'm dying," He coughs.

"That's because you are idiot!"

"Well then stop making it so damn depressing!"

I just look at him and frown.

"Sorry, I didn't realize I should be singing happy songs and laughing," I say sarcastically.

"Well, you shouldn't do that either, cause that would be straight up freaky." Jake says, coughing again. "I don't understand how in the movies they make the death scenes so damn depressing—I mean, do you think I want to leave this world depressed? Thea, you're the only family I have left, so if I am dying—I am glad I'm dying in your arms."

"Don't say that," I say, burying my head in his chest.

This is too much. He can't die...he can't...he's my brother. Don't you dare take him away from me.

"You're not dying Jake...No you're not!" I yell, trying to get him up to his feet so I can get him some help.

"Thea, look at me."

"No, you're not—you're not leaving."

"Thea."

"NO! Dammit Jake, you're not dying, do you hear me? You're not dying!!!! You're not dying on me!!!" I yell, but as soon as I say those last few words I break down into more tears.

"Thea, remember what I said—the darkness will pass, and when it does you will see stars shining and you will realize all this pain will have been worth it."

"I don't want to see the stars without you Jake."

He smiles at me.

"You won't be alone Thea, I can promise you that. I ain't gonna say that I'll be watching over you, cause imma be a rebel," he says, winking at me.

I laugh at his cheesiness.

"Thea, run. Don't worry about me. Just run away from here and go find help."

I can't leave him. I can't leave my dying brother.

"Thea, leave," he says gently.

I hear faint shouting and footsteps, but I don't move a damn muscle.

"Thea, leave!! Don't you dare decide to be stupid now! You can't die cause I am dying and if you die too then my death won't be cool!"

I know what he's doing. He is trying to ignore the reality of his death by making stupid jokes. He is trying to protect me, but I'm not fooled., He is trying to lessen the blow by acting like he's cool with it.

"Thea—princess—please leave," he says, begging me with his eyes.

I look straight at him. His eyes are filled with tears and worry now.

"I love you Princess."

"I love you too Charming."

I plant a kiss on his forehead.

Slowly, I sit up and walk backwards, still keeping eye contact with him. Once my back hits the cold door, I stop‚ but I don't open it.

Jake looks at me with his deep, caring, eyes and smiles. I don't look at the big hole in his chest, just his adorable face. The shouting is getting nearer so I open the door and step through it.

Cold air slams into my face as I push my legs to move faster. New tears start to replace the dried old ones, but I don't wipe them away.

I run and run with Jake's smiling face on my mind.