25 ...

The road was long and curved often. Surprised by how far I was from home, I would look around constantly. I glanced over at Aaron, who started looking down at the screen attached to the car. It was like a TV in the car, but this one told you where you were going. It was pretty amazing "What is this called?" I asked, pointing to the TV. I would assume it's named would be TV, but many things with screens have different names. Aaron looked at me before facing the road "It's a GPS. It's like a digital map. It tells you how to get to your destination the fastest way possible. That way we don't run into traffic." he explained. This device sounded way too good to be true. There was no way this small thing could track where we were at this very moment and tell me how to get to my home! There must be some flaws in this device, and I didn't know why I was so keen on trying to figure it out. I guess it's always been a hobby of mine to fix devices and more advanced tech stuff. That was my job in the mansion.

I could hear Aarons grumble as he turned on the radio "It's too quiet. It makes me feel uneasy, " he spoke. Listening to the radio made me realize how much music has changed. Vincent's music barely had lyrics to it, and it sounded more muffled and less clear than the ones on the radio. Vincent's music may not be my taste, but the things I would give just to hear a little of it. To hear his soft gentle music playing throughout the mansion, the kind that made you want to get up and dance with him. It was an old taste of music, but I loved it because it reminded me of him. It was soft, though had an old-fashioned style, and it filled every melody with innocents. Everything about that kind of music reminded me of Vincent and his personality. Now music has more lyrics and poetic style. Some have a powerful story that makes the listener relate to it more. Those types are my style, it tells truth, experience, and shows meaning. If Vincent was here, I wonder what he would describe me as. What does he think of me as a person and a lover? How would he say my music describes me?

The car suddenly jerks forward, and it almost made me hit the dash, bored. I heard Aaron shout, and he pounded on his horn, "Goddamnit! They fill all the roads this way with traffic and idiots trying to cut you off!" he yelled in his road raged voice. That's when my heartfelt as if it stopped for a second. I gripped my chest and gasped for air. I panicked, trying to breathe until I finally could feel the air fill my lungs again. Aaron looked at me in concern "Are you alright?! Sky?! You don't look so good..." he said, having a bit of fear behind his voice. I shook my head "I'm fine... Please, I don't want to go back to the hospital. Let's just continue. We're close." I said, pointing to the marked destination on the GPS. Aaron gave me the look as if saying, "Are you sure this is what you want?" I just nodded at him and whispered, "Please Aaron" I begged. I closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh before giving in "Alright, this might take a little longer than I was hoping for." he responded.

The roads were full, and they lined cars up behind one another. People were angry and were pounding on their horns non-stop. Just like us, they had a place they needed to be. In a way, I felt bad because they might not be on the verge of dying, but they probably had family or a loved one that misses them. I think Vincent is missing me right now. I would give the world to see him again...

Soon, we approached the nightmare I grew up in. The house that was once my home and a place I felt safe. A place that my parents would read me stories to help me sleep. A place where every day was spent playing with Mama. Until my father changed. My father was the reason I ran away, why Vincent's home was burned, why I was sold, why I got hurt over and over, why Vincent's almost dead, and why my mother felt like she failed as a parent. I wished my father never came home that day and stayed in prison for the rest of his life. Although I hate the bastard, I would have to thank him. If he never came home, I would have never met Vincent that night. Even so, Vincent would have been happier without me. He would still have his home if it wasn't for me. Maybe it would have been better if my father stayed in prison and I stayed with my mother. Everything could have been so much different and maybe lonelier, but for the better. It would have been so much better...

Aaron placed his hand on my head and ruffled up my hair "Hey, I know this place traumatizes you but didn't you say you needed to hurry? Isn't Vincent waiting on you?" he asked. I quickly came back to my senses and nodded "Yeah! Vincent is waiting for me! Let's hurry, Aaron!" I said out of panic but excitement. He chuckles and gets out of the car. He opens the back trunk and pulls out the wheelchair. I couldn't believe it, this was it. I was going to be with my love once again. The person who took me in when I needed it the most. The one who was always there, even at the worse times. The first person to say they would be my friend. The person who gave me my first kiss and the best gift of love. Aaron came over to my side and opened the door for me. He helped me out and into the wheelchair, that's when I felt it again. My heartfelt as it stopped but longer than before. I gripped my chest as I froze. Aaron frowns "I knew I should have just turned back! Sky, you're in terrible condition! This is insane! What if Vincent can't help?!" he yelled.

I panted heavily as I felt my heart beating once again, but pounded against my chest. I could feel my time running out and seeping through my hands like sand. I glared over at Aaron "We are going to Vincent! I don't care if I die today! Maybe it was just my head tricking me, but I don't care anymore! I don't want to live anyway if Vincent isn't here to live it with me!" I screamed. I tried my best to hold in my anger all this time, but I couldn't do it. I already decided a long time ago that if something were to take me away from Vincent, I wouldn't want to live any longer. Aaron knew I was serious and didn't say a word besides "I want you to live..." he mumbled and grabbed onto the back of the wheelchair. It took him a while before moving, I knew he was wondering to himself if he was doing the right thing or not. I then spoke in a softer tone, "What you're doing for me is what I've been waiting for this entire time. To be reunited with Vincent again was my only wish... You don't know what this means to me..." I said in a shaky tone.

Aaron didn't respond, but we kept moving. We went deeper into the woods, which gave me flashbacks. It reminded me of the time I was running from my father. All the cuts from the bushes and trees rubbing against my soft skin. It was like reliving a horror movie, but I found my genuine love. We then reached the hill that saved my life. Because I fell down this hill, my father couldn't find me and ran in a different direction. It was the hill that led me to my precious Vincent. Aaron carefully helped rolled me down the steep hill with some frustrations. The wheels would get caught on things and broken branches "Damn nature" I heard Aaron mumble to himself. Once we reached the bottom, I felt it again. My heart pounded against my chest harshly but slow. As if it was telling me my time was up and once my heart stops, it's not beating again. Aaron looked down at me "You're so pale" he spoke. I didn't care how I looked or how I felt. I was so close to Vincent, I could feel it.

We continued until I saw it. The rubble of what used to be the mansion. The once beautiful garden was nothing but ash and burnt grass. The only thing standing was the gate, although it looked as if touching it would make it fall into dust. The memories in this pile of rubble still stayed as-is. The walls may not be up and there may not be a roof, but I will never forget all the great times we had... It was truly a sad sight because even though I won't forget... I could never relive it. That's when I saw it. Little sky and Vincent playing in the garden and running around so carefree. I saw the night I stood at Vincent's walkway and he came out with his little umbrella. It was like I was re-watching my childhood again. My heart pounded, and I became weaker with every second, but I couldn't stop watching little us. Aaron stood beside me, staring at the rubble "This was your home?" he asked. All I could do was nod with tears falling down my cheeks.

Aaron rubbed my head once more "I bet it was a beautiful place to live..." There was a long pause before Aaron spoke again "Sky..." before he could finish I responded, "I know..." I didn't see Vincent. My head was messing with me again. I thought if I believed in myself this one time... Just one time! I could have seen him! "I don't want to be here anymore..." I cried every inch of me has finally given up. My heart hurt in more ways than one. Aaron hugged me tightly, pulling me into his fatherly arms. I just buried my head in his chest and gripped his shirt tightly "I can't do this anymore Aaron!! I can't! Please... Please end this... take me away from the cruel world... please Aaron! I beg you... I can't do this..." I cried tears into my mouth. I choked on almost every word from the tears I spilled. There was nothing left... My proper home was gone and the hell I grew up in still stands. Why do good people get hurt? What did Vincent do to deserve this? I tried to be nice to everyone I have met, yet I get nothing back?! Not even my love?! It's so unfair... this world is so unfair...

"We need to take you back to the hospital..." Aaron responded as he hugged me tightly "You are young, you still have so much to live for..." He tried convincing me. I shook my head and pushed him away "No! Leave me here! I want to die here!" I yelled and pulled myself out of the wheelchair. I stumbled to the ground and felt the cold grass rub against my cheek. I slowly crawled to the rubble of the mansion while Aaron tried picking me up "Damnit Sky! I'm not letting you end your life here!" Aaron yelled. "Get your hands off of him!" I heard a loud voice. So powerful it stops both me and Aaron in our tracks. I glance towards the direction of the voice and there he was... Vincent.