Doors Closing Forever

Chapter One: Before Bryan Kirkwood

Natasha Andersen

It's going to be a great night, I just know it. Dermot promised and I know he will be right, he's like a proper gentleman. He even brought my friend Lucy a birthday present; she turned 18 and is throwing a right old party in the club. We all had a long day at college and it will be nice to let off some steam. Maddie,Dawn and Louise are all going as well so it will be a blast. I hope to get a kiss from Dermot. Not to be a prude! I'm not that type of girl but to show the whole world that we are together. Right now, we are all laughing and joking. Having a really good time. Dermot has stared at me all night though I don't know whether to make my move just now so I carry on talking to my friends. He's walking over with his cheeky grin, I adore that grin. I really like him, not love. I'm not that quick to fall in love and neither is he! It's not Shakespeare! He passes me a drink as he whispers sweet nothings in my ear. I giggle because I think that's what I'm suppose to do. He then leaves again which I find rather strange but perhaps he just doesn't want to come on too strong. Like I said before, he is a proper gentleman. Maddie looks at me with an amused look on her face and I look back and mouth the word 'What'. She just laughs and turns back towards Dawn and Louise. I shake my head and take a sip of my drink. Dermot points towards me with Kurt looking over, was he sweating? I pass it off as nothing. I feel a bit funny though I carry on drinking in hope of it going away. I go all quiet as I lean back on the chair. The loud music is too loud now! I see a giggling Louise trying to get me up and I oblige as she leads me to the dance floor. I start swaying side by side. Feeling really low. I lose her in the crowd somehow as I still sway side by side. Not really listening to the music, I just block it out. I feel weak yet my body still carries on dancing like it's got a mind of its own. Everyone around me is blurred. They look like moving smudges. What is going on? Without any warning, I collapse. As soon as I hit the floor, everything is fading. I hear screaming...Then everything turns to black.

...

Gordon Cunningham

It's just another normal day. I'm just in the car with my wife Helen and youngest son, Tom. I could have lost Helen. She had an affair and I haven't forgave her but I love her and I would take her back. I wouldn't be me if I didn't would I? Besides Tom needs his mum in his life and I would do anything to give him a stable home. We're just in the car and I'm in the middle of trying to keep Tom entertained.

"I spy with my little eye; something beginning with... M" I say.

"Mummy!" Tom answers straight away, I can see Helen smiling as she drives.

"No" I reply rather bluntly.

Helen looks over briefly as she tries to lift Tom's spirits up. I suppose I ought to show more enthusiasm in case the young impressionable lad thinks I'm being miserable. Helen quickly saves the day..

"Good try Tom" Helen applauded cheerfully as Tom looks down upon the book I brought him today.

"Monkey?" Tom asked after a few moments.

I put my hands up like it's the greatest thing I ever heard.

"Yes! Well done!" I praised with enough enthusiasm to fill a house. I even clap for good measure.

"Who's a clever boy?" Helen asked rhetorically as she looked at our son before turning back towards the road with a smile.

I hear Tom unlocking his seat-belt, that's not a good sign. He knows he shouldn't do that, I told him before. Though he often forgets and we just have to keep telling him. It is partly our fault since we got him over-excited. He stands up now while picking up his book and he starts to say...

"How about.."

I turn back towards him.

"Now Tom, sit down..." I start; taking my seat-belt off to get closer...The irony hey?

"Now you know what happens, you got to always keep your seatbelt on when you're in the car" I informed him.

I notice Helen looking over too. She screams when she looks back as a van is speeding towards us. Tom soon follows suit as he covers his eyes as Helen frantically swerves to avoid the van. I panic as I feel my heart...I know I'm having a heart attack! I don't remember anything else after that just...

I can hear voices however that's the last thing I truly remember...

...

Stephen Mackintosh

I walk down the alleyway, kicking a can out the way. Why does everything get in my way? I looked across to see Ali. I can't stand him and his mate Justin. Neither can my mates and we show our hatred. I scoff...

"What are you doing here?" I ask as I lean closer, he has a worried look on his face.

He looked at me with fear in his eyes. I hate to sound like a villan but I get off on fear. It means that they will not want to mess with me. I had enough of being pushed around as a kid and one day, I fought back. Been doing it ever since.

"Looking for you" Ali answers nervously, he looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights.

"Well, here I am" I announce.

Ali looked away for a second as he was trying to make sure we're alone.

"You by yourself then?" Ali asked despite clearly looking around and not seeing anyone.

I guess this is what people do when they don't know what to say. Shame, I think we have a lot to say. I don't just mean us; I mean everyone. We never know what to say and I think it's a silly part of human nature.

"And?" I ask with another scoff, what is this tosser getting at?

"Me and you" Ali answers, putting me back slightly.

Now I'm confused. I laugh though and pretend I'm unfazed. I do a lot of pretending and nobody catches on. I pretend to hate everything for instance, this puts a lot of girls off me. Shame.

"What?" I ask with a phoned-in knowing laugh.

"That's right" Ali replies, is he trying to start a fight?

I don't go fighting people without back-up. That's my weakness I guess, I never finish anything on my own. So I wasn't ready for this but perhaps today is the day I do finish something on my own...Finish him.

"With you? Don't be stupid" I speak with a laugh as I attempt to walk away from this though he carries on as he goes after me.

"Well you're by yourself,your mates aren't with you now"

I turn around at this comment. Has he uncovered my only weakness. I really do need to break the habit of a lifetime if's that the case! I can't go letting him win! I haven't let that happen since I was a weak little boy.

"When?" I ask with a scowl on my face.

"Now" Ali says, I dreaded that.

I look at him, for a brief moment I look worried but I soon erased that look didn't I?

"You idiot, don't you have a line? Like the other day?" I ask harshly, changing the subject.

"Yeah..Well that was then" Ali answered with confidence, he no longer looked scared and I hated it.

"Smoke quietly then yeah" I hiss before walking away again.

"Suits me" I hear him say.

I hear him walking behind me still, I don't understand why he wants a fight. Why today of all days? I feel like everything is going to change soon and that I will have to get rid of him for good...

"So what now? See, you got no bottle. I know that cause I turn my back on you and you did nothing" I insist, taking back the power.

I'm ready to turn really nasty now. I turn around and he is saying nothing. Nothing at all and that secretly unnerves me.

"Should had decked me then. You missed your chance...So I'll deck you now" I hiss, ready to fight.

I push him back though stop when I realize he has a knife.

"Stay back" Ali demands as he holds up his knife in full view.

He drops it to my surprise as he is shaking. I have taken back the power even though he had a weapon. I look down at the knife and try to think of what to do next. Ali clearly doesn't want to hurt me but I will not give him a choice. After all, he started it. He picks up his knife again.

"Come on then chicken, you ain't got the bottle to use that. Come on! Come on!" I provoke.

I see a breathless Justin, he stands in the road as he watches me and Ali.

"No! Ali No!" Justin shouts, running towards us both.

Ali turns around and this gives me ample opportunity as I quickly bend down. I pick up a brick,ready to lunge it at Ali. I got to throw it but oh no! I walk straight into Ali's knife. It's painful! I start to choke as both men now watch. I walk backwards before collapsing on the ground! I feel where the knife wound is. Blood is pouring out as I lay my head on the ground. I try to speak but nothing comes out...This is the end.

Ali Taylor

"Ali! You got to go! Now!" Justin shouts at me and in panic, I do as he says.

I run away and without looking, I feel a car hit me. I hear Darlene scearm as my body hits the ground.

"Ali! No!" Justin calls as he looks on in pure shock.

Everything is fading away...

...

Andy Holt

"It's a disused warehouse...Yeah, it's at the back of the amusement park" Mel was saying on the phone, I arose from the chair.

"Mel!" Nicole shouted, alerting her that I was up.

Mel dropped the phone. The bitch wandered over towards me so I kicked the chair in her direction resulting in her groaning. I still had my hands around my back as I ran away. She was chasing after me. We ran down the empty corridors, I was panting. I opened the first door I saw, it led to stairs. Which I ran down with very little problems. It was dark and I was unsure where it would lead. The staircase was longer then I thought. I reached a passage way which was black. I was running into the unknown. I ran into a pike and started to choke...The light went on. I was whimpering because of the pain inflicted on me. I noticed that Mel was watching. I looked down for a glance and I felt like crying as the pike was lodged in my stomach. I was now crying. I looked at Mel and she looked angry. That was the last thing I ever saw. I could hardly tell what she was saying as she faded away. I thought about my brother and how he will cope. I looked down and everything turned to black...

...

Mel Burton

Everyone was going crazy! I was scared as I saw the brother of Andy; his name is Sam. He was always out to get us. Even though we have done nothing wrong. He is a monster just like him and they ruined my life. He held up a lighter and I was honestly terrified. I hoped this chapter of my life would end but with Sam still alive, that was never going to happen. I kept my eyes on my twin sister Sophie, my one light in this dark and ruthless world.

"Anyone moves and this whole place goes up!" Sam shouted as he still had the lighter held up.

People were screaming and crying, it felt like we were in Hell. Haven't we been through enough?! OB held onto me, trying to protect me. I love him so much but his love wasn't enough to get me through this.

"Stay where you are!" Sam continued yet people were still trying to get away. Sam looked insane.

I tried to reach out to Sophie but he noticed.

"Stay or you die" Sam spoke to Sophie, he looked around again at the scared crowd.

He moved back again, turning his attention elsewhere. Everyone was shouting and rushing about while Sam stood still, gripping tighter onto his lighter.

"Leave it! Come on!" a man shouted as he hurried away.

Sophie was now running too in tears as she had her arms out. Not knowing what to do. I hated seeing her in peril. Sam poured petrol on the floor before kicking it over on the floor. Not like anyone noticed. He then walked towards Sophie and placed his hand around her neck. I ran towards them. How dare he touch my sister! I grabbed onto him, trying to get his dirty hands off of her! A man called Calvin Valentine smashed a glass bottle on his head. Resulting in him chucking the lighter in the air...

The whole place was lit alight! I couldn't breathe as I watched the pub go into deadly flames. I could barely see because of the smoke. I felt like I was dying in Hell...Everything went dark and silent.

...

Sam Owen

I was doing all this so my brother wouldn't have died in vain! Nothing else matters! Everything is going at a hundred miles per hour! I grabbed onto Sophie which resulted in Mel grabbing onto me. I hate her yet I love her sister! She is making me do this! Out of nowhere,Calvin smashes a glass bottle over my head. I throw the lighter in the air because if I die...we all die! The whole place goes up in glorious flames...I already feel justice... I think of Andy and how he will be proud. I don't care if I'm remembered as a monster because I got what I wanted...Nobody will take that away. I die with a smile on my face.

...

Joe Spencer

How did tonight end up like this? It started out as a fun night; I reunited with Zoe. We went to the pub with Kris Fisher and his girlfriend Jessica. Olivia also tagged along. It was a good laugh. Then this guy called Sam ruins everything. What did we do to deserve this? I place my hands behind my neck; watching Kris and Zoe as they climb up to the exit.

"Kris!" Zoe screeches, he kicks the wood open which leads to the outside.

I breathe a sigh of relief before saying...

"Right, let's get out of here" I say as I walk towards them.

Kris grips one hand against the window.

"What about Olivia? Kris asks as a panicked Zoe shakes her head.

"No Kris" Zoe says as she holds onto him.

I quickly change my mind as I think about Olivia dying alone and how we all left her. I couldn't live with myself knowing that. I've got a chance to save her and I'm not going until I have tried. I shake my head before saying...

"Right, you two go; I go and get Olivia"

It didn't take Kris to long to agree as he said "Come on" to Zoe and left the pub without a second glance. Zoe was a little less easy to persuade. She chased after me quickly, I hope she understands why I'm doing this.

"No Joe, she must have got out with the others" Zoe pleaded as she held tightly onto me. She had tears in her eyes.

I tried to smile but I could hardly bring myself to...

"I'll be right behind ya, I'm not going to let you go again Zoe; right? Go on" I tell her but it's an empty promise as I can't be certain.

I leave her and go back up the stairs, coughing as I do so. This can't end well but my conscience just wouldn't be able to take it if I didn't do this. I glance down for a second to check if she's gone before returning to the room of flames...I must be mad.

"Olivia!" I call while coughing incessantly, I can hear her crying..."Oh my God" I speak as I can barely believe what I'm doing.

"Help me please!" Olivia begs while in floods of tears as she lays there, looking broken.

"Olivia, it's alright,it's alright" I try to reassure her as I stand right besides her.

"Help me!" Olivia cries.

While I attempt to take the beam away from her body. The beam has fallen on top of her and that's why she can't get up. I feel exhausted already though I know I have to carry on. For Olivia and my conscience. I groan.

"It's okay, it's okay; I'm here,I'm here, we're gonna get out, we're gonna get out." I insist as I have managed to remove the beam.

I lean down and try to hold he up but it's no use. She has to move herself because I can't do it on my own. Why does she have to be so heavy? She doesn't look heavy but she is, like most people I suppose.

"You're gonna have to help me babe, give me your arm, wrap round; you ready?" I ask as I lift her from the floor... "That will do...1...2..3!" I groan.

I lift her up now in the air and start to walk away. She is holding onto me tightly, we are going to make it! I can see the exit! I groan in pain which is when the flames heat up and I scream as I'm being burnt alive! I can think of nothing else but the pain. Being the hero wasn't worth it as I take my last breath.

...

Olivia Johnson

Why did they leave me? I know we weren't best friends but I'm a person. I stuck up for myself today and Jessica didn't take this well. I never spoke to her after that and I regret that now because I might not be here now if that never happened. Today happened so fast. Will this be the end? I'm really scared, I don't know what happens when you die. It could be an eternity of nothing. I start to cry because what else can I do?

"Olivia!" I hear a familiar voice shout, someone came back; I can't believe it.

Here I was waiting for my maker and hope comes along. I never believed in anything before now. I was in a lot of pain still but I got something that can overcome pain. Hope, I could survive this.

"Help me please!" I cry, Joe is trying to get the beam of me. I watch with tears of relief in my eyes.

"Olivia, it's alright,it's alright" Joe keeps saying, I knew that now but I don't mind hearing his voice, it's gives me comfort.

"Help me!" I shout again as I watch the flames.

"It's okay, it's okay; I'm here,I'm here, we're gonna get out, we're gonna get out" Joe tells me. I breathe a sign of relief as he removes the beam.

It feels like he lifted the entire world of me right now. He tries to carry me but he can't do it. He hasn't got the strength but at least he tried. He doesn't know how grateful I am for that and I almost accept my fate again.

"You're gonna have to help me babe, give me your arm, wrap round; you ready?" Joe asked, his tone gave me the will-power. He actually lifts me a little bit and I help a little as I lean up more...

"That will do...1...2..3!" Joe shouted as he finally got me up for good.

We will make it. I believe we will. I hold onto him with a tight grip so I don't fall. I smile as I lean against his arms. We will get out and I will see everyone again, my family and friends. I got a story to tell. Out of nowhere, it explodes again I scream! We were so close, so far...so...

...

Sophie Burton

I was in the church but I never felt at peace. What has happened to my sister? I was forced out of the pub so quickly that I didn't know who got out or not. Why does everything bad happen to us?

"He can't find her, can he!" I cry as my boyfriend Russ places his arms around me.

I walk away with Russ still wrapping his strong arms around me. He doesn't understand though, he wasn't there at the fire. He didn't see the looks on everyone's faces as they tried to save themselves.

"Sophie, please stop,we gotta stay here" Russ tried to tell me but my head was all over the place.

I didn't care.

"No, what if he gone back in the Dog?" I ask frantically as my tears come back.

I was now thinking about my brother Justin.

"Don't be stupid, they wouldn't let him!" Russ insisted, still grabbing onto me.

"No I'm not being stupid Russ! She was in there! She was in there with me!" I cry. I then freeze.

I hold onto the church pew as I need something to hold myself up with. Everything is going in my head. I just want to know if my family are okay and I can't rest until I know. Russ must understand this.

"What it is? What's wrong? Sophie?" Russ asked.

I start to fall down.

"No! No! No! No! Sophie!" Russ shouts as he grabs onto me as I fall down on the floor. "Sophie" he speaks again.

I look up at him as I lay on the ground. He softly caress the side of my face. I gently grab onto his hand. I love him however I don't feel like he loves me back anymore. It's all gone to ashes because I'm the only one who is fighting to save this relationship.

"Sophie...We need a medic! Get a medic! Someone help me please! Russ begged, rubbing his hands against the side of my face...

I open my mouth to speak but he tries to stop me... "No,no,no; don't talk; just breathe, just please try to breathe"

"I love you" I weakly say despite knowing he no longer feels the same way.

"Somebody! Sophie,you're not going to die here, you know we're going to get you to the hospital and everything..." he paused.

I close my eyes and I feel him pulling me closer towards him as he hugs me.

"I love you too and that's not the last time you're gonna hear me say it, I'm gonna say it tomorrow and the day after" I hear him say...I think he means it...

Everything goes silent and empty.

...

TCB: Next Chapter Will Be Bryan Kirkwood's First Stint.