Chapter 1: Chest to Chest

P O V: Sylvie Brett

Location: Evangel Christian Charter School of Chicago

Time and date: May 8th 2019 / Approximately around one pm

A/N: I do not have the pleasure of being the creator of this amazing series of characters. All glory goes to Dick Wolf, Derek Haas and the creative team of Wolf Entertainment.

"It doesn't have to be this way Brasion. Please put the gun down we can talk about this, whatever it is that's going on." The snarl from my brother I receive in return pierces my heart into shreds. "No Sylvie I'm done talking. I've made up my mind." He's so close to me now chest to chest his breath which is hot and beefy hits my check. "Get behind me VJ."

My voice doesn't break even as Braison presses the Ak-47 further into my chest. I have to be stronger than the fear and I am afraid so very afraid. "They say your life flashes before you when faced with certain death. Tell me sissy is it true?" all air sucks out of my chest which constricts painfully. "I heard you see all the little moments the times you've laughed so hard you peed, the times you felt like giving up. Every lesson you ever learned, each mistake do you see them sis?" His voice rises I can't get enough air my body is sweating, shaking each breath I manage to take is forced, labored. "No."

My answer makes him more angry "Why not? Do you think your better than the rest of us? Or do you think that because your my sister that you are somehow immune? Cause your not! I hate you Sylvie, I've dreamed of this day ever since I was ten years old."

I've faced the possibility of dying young ever since I was two years old. I was born with a rare generic disorder called Cystic Fibrosis. CF effects the lungs, pancreas, liver, kidneys and many other vital organs. CF produces too much mucus which clogs the airways. Everyday I have to have therapy twice a day sometimes more for twenty to thirty minutes each time. Even with the therapy and the tons of pills I take my lungs have been worn down over the last decade. I need a lung transplant to even hope to make it to see 31. "I'm sorry Brasion if my illness left you isolated I never meant for you to feel abandoned, mom and dad tried to give all of us the attention we each deserved."

"Really bitch you think that's what I'm mad about? Grow up Sylvie open your eyes! I'm not mad about those losers, their weak just like you. No I'm furious about Mr. McHale!"

"That's right I see it in you face you know what I am talking about! I was ten years old! I needed my parents there for protection, I needed my sister there for protection! You all failed me!"

His venomous words leave me shaken my chest is now reduced to squeaks in the forms of gasps. "Your a boy Brasion he couldn't… he wouldn't." "Don't be naive Sylvie a pig is always a hog no matter how you slaughter it." Slaughter the words he uses the tone in which he spits them out makes my stomach churn. Air isn't even brave enough to try to enter now. My lungs are burning so bad I can feel them bleeding, the sore throat I woke up with this morning is now a five alarm blaze. He's not afraid I can see it in his eyes, he'll shoot me dead center if I give him enough reason to. Anything can set him off now. I've seen his anger in the seven kids I've already treated blood has stained my hands, my chest, legs; it's covered my arms.

He's so calm now gone is the anger his eyes have grown dark, cold. How can he be so calm about this? How can any child wake up filled with so much hate, rage how can they hurt so bad and be so damn mad at their classmates, teachers, families that they even think about shooting them? Never mind form a plan and carry that plan out. I know time is crucial without taking my eyes off him, I can feel the seven victims withering in pain, two more have already passed away. There's at least thirty more huddled behind pews ranging from ages six to eight-teen. Emily Foster my partner is among them trying to keep them calm. Many are holding each other, shedding tears, a few frozen too terror filled to move.

If I don't act soon he'll snap and will all be dead. I need to get as much information as I can. He can't be behind this, I know my brother I know he's a good person, a kind caring, fun, talented hysterical young man. He is not a murderer, a cold blooded killer. This has to be the brain child of one of his friends ever since him and his twin brother Bodhi Zane or Boz as we call him moved in with me in September things have been rocky. "Brasion you don't have to do this whichever of your friends talked you into this, their wrong they need help, don't follow in their footsteps. Please just put the gun down, will work this out. I'll talk to the cops will explain that this isn't you."

His eyes fix on me as long as their on me their off the kids, I see one slowly making his way to the chapel's doors. I pray silently he makes it maybe he can get help he's so young. "Which one Brasion? Milo? Jon? Elio? Erik? I bet they challenged you made you feel like the worlds biggest chicken, you just had to prove to them your not a chicken, you grew up on a farm, you've slaughtered animals you knew how it felt to take a life, this isn't the same though, these kids are human's they aren't born to become someone's dinner, they have a right to live, I know you know this, I can't understand how you don't see they played you. Their not here doing this, they left you on your own to take the fall for their idea."

"Liar! You don't know shit Sis, my friends are the only true people I can count on, their here they showed up!" "Where Brasion cause in my eyes all I see is you holding the gun, I saw you shoot these kids, not them." "That's because we're not stupid, this school is huge 2,500 students mixed in all grades, we split up, Asher, Hitler and I took the bottom floor. Elio and Milo are on the second, Sebastian and Christian are on the third." Seven shooters my mind cant truly wrap around that number seven teenagers so mad at the world at the school, that their willing to risk prison and being shot by the police to take revenge. "They deserve what's coming to them all these jerk face lying twats do, don't give me that look Sylvie. I always told you that your bleeding heart will be your greatest downfall, Mom and dad may have cuddled you encouraged you to keep it, not I."

"Your crazy dude what did we ever do to deserve this!" my head whips around to see the teenage boy who's about fifteen only a year older than my brother stand up protecting the young woman behind him. Brasion's gun goes off seconds after the words leave the boy's mouth, I can't waste any more time, leaping forward I lunge for the gun screaming at the kids to. "Run! Now!"

Everyone starts to scream in panic as most take off a few are too scared, Emily races to the door opening it shoving kids out her eyes wide in fear as she watches my struggle unfold. My arms ache as Brasion and I wrestle for dominance. "Brasion stop this." "You want me to stop sis!" His barrel smashes me across the face "Funny you want to know how many times I screamed stop! Stop your hurting me Mr. McHale! Do you know what Mr. McShit face said Sis?"

He's standing directly over me as I'm pinned against the alter his gun pressed into my chest. "No body else moves!" His orders are barley heard above the screams "I said no one move!" he starts firing the magazine shooting off rounds in seconds kids who haven't made it out start dropping either from being hit or the sheer fear. I make another attempt to grab the gun which ends with the sharp pain of his barrel smashing my other side. "No tears baby pain makes you weak! That's what he said so suck up your tears Sis, because you know damn well what he said, he said a real man survives his pain and uses it! So I'm using my pain today!"

Sudden expulsion of agonizing pain overtakes my whole body I see a flash of white hot searing before my eyes. I'm so dizzy I can't seem to focus anymore. I can hear more shooting in the halls. Screams of terror, confusion and pain echo off the chapel and hallway walls. Without warning my legs give "Aunt Sylvie!" Violet Jordan "VJ" screams why didn't she run when I screamed? Her hands start to catch me as my body crashes towards the ground. "Bang bitch your dead to me, oh hey Whore J, tell your scumbag boyfriend I have the last laugh, bang your dead." My hands shove VJ before he fires, my body is pelted with the second bullet as it crashes on top of hers.

Around twenty minutes later

"Sylvie honey wake up." each breath feels like a boxing machine on repeat punching my lungs. I can't get air inside no matter how hard I try all I hear is wheezing. The loudspeaker is on I can hear the gunshots echoing the smell of gun powder drifts to my nose before the pain hits me again. I can't even cry out, hands are putting pressure on my wounds. My eyes can't focus "Matt?" I manage to wheeze out. "Yes Sylvie it's me. I'm here, I need you to be strong, I need you to not cry out. I put a chest seal on both your wounds, Emily is treating as many as the victims as she can. They have at least two guys outside the chapel, we can't get out, I got through the air ducts." He doesn't list my injuries but I know their bad, real bad. My left lung has collapsed completely it feels like someone took a thin straw shoved it in place of my airway than got pissed and cut off circulation. "I have to move you Sylvie if they start shooting through the windows your a sitting duck." "Shoo-t-er-s.. seven total…" I start coughing pain rips through my chest no one can describe the amount of pain that they experience when their dying from a gunshot wound.

His hands lift me as he pulls me behind the podium, the remaining kids are huddled together crying shaking in fear. There's only seven or so left. I pray the rest made it out alive. One tiny boy is breaking my heart softly crying "mommy, I want my mommy." I want to hold him I can barely hold myself up but my back leans against the wooden podium, Matt knows me to well, silently he brings the boy over to me, he sinks into my arms, his tears stain my chest which is burning beyond any pain I have ever felt.

"Sweetie I know you are scared, I am so sorry you have to experience this, I want you to close your eyes, I want you to remember god loves you, he will protect you." "Can you pray with me miss?' "Miss Sylvie of course I will sweetie. What's your favorite prayer?"

"Psalm 91:9-12 Miss. Sylvie." "Aw I love that prayer honey, want to say it with me?" "Yes." Taking his little hand inside mine we bow our heads in prayer. "Father, I thank You that you invite us into Your protection; that when we seek You and make You our God. That You promise to command Your angels to watch over us."

Matt has relayed that information to the Chief I see the fear in his eyes he's trying to be strong even as he hears VJ calling her mom. "Mommy there's a shooter in our school, I am really scared, Mom uncle Matt is here, he tells me I am being brave, but he told me to tell you how I feel, mom I may not make it out of this alive, so many of my friends are dead, I love you mom, thank you for everything you have always done for me."

Another teenager a young man is doing the same call except he gets the answering machine, he can barely hold back his tears. "Mom I am so sorry, I know you work so hard to provide for all of us, I was wrong to snap at you to make you feel unappreciated, mom. I love you, mom thank you. I don't want to die, I am fighting to live, but if God calls me home, know he will protect me, I will be in heaven."

"Sylvie." Matt hands me the radio which I take with shaking blood coated hands "Yes Chief." "Sylvie I know you are fighting to stay alive, help is on the way I need you to be strong, can you tell Sargent Voight/ I what the shooter told you?" I can barely catch my breath but slowly with pressed lips I relay the message "Seven shooters, Asher Johnson, Hitler Scholtz and Brasion Brett took the bottom floor. Elio Manson and Milo Kruger are on the second, Sebastian and Christian Smirnovare on the third." "Sylvie did you just say?" "Yes my brother is the one who shot me, he's one of the shooters. Chief I am so sorry, please if I don't make it please make sure the world knows, he wasn't always a bad kid, he's just messed up, it's my fault. Not his."

My mind can't get the image out of him at five years old riding his ATV in our backyard laughing as the sun hits his golden blond rays, the day he accidentally hit that puppy, he was horrified he jumped off the ATV which kept going. Dad was so mad. My brother ranto the puppy crying as he cradled it begging me his older sister to fix it. I did what I could I made a home made spit wrapped him in a blanket and walked ten miles to the vet. I can't fix this. I did this.

Matt's gentle hand strokes my face "Not your fault Sylvie, you are not responsible for his actions. "Your an amazing person Sylvie, if I never told you how much I am so sorry." Matt's eyes lock with mine, sending a shiver through my spine so crystal clear, he's in pain, he's afraid of losing me. My throat contracts it hits me I made a horrible mistake "I shouldn't of said yes, Matt I am so sorry." "Sylvie whatever Brasion is mad at, this is not on you." "Not Brasion to Kyle, I shouldn't of said yes, I don't love him, it's you Matt. Your the man I am in love with."

I see the take back in his eyes I know this is out of the blue, I have no right to him, he was married to my best friend. He's my captain. I'm dying though what does it matter now? I have two assault bullets inside of me their expanding inside of me tearing my organs, vessels and muscles apart. I won't make it.

I won't die silent.

"God Sylvie I was so stupid I told you that I was happy for you, that I thought you were good together. I should of just asked you out, I wanted to." His lips press against mine hard, my mouth opens allowing his access, I am getting so cold his touch his kiss warms me.

"Sir." Someone touches Matt's shoulder over it I see the pastor tap him. "I can marry you right here right now if you so desire." Matt looks at me was it really legal? Did it matter? I would be dead within minutes anyway. Smiling I kiss him back to die in his arms as his wife would be an honor. Even if Gabby hates me forever. "Yes." I cough out spitting up blood. "Let's do it father." "We need two witnesses." Emily scurries over and VJ along with another young man "My name's Teddy I am studying to be a clergy. I will be honored to witness this beautiful ceremony. You have saved so many lives today Miss, thank you both for your services. Be safe Sir."

Matt takes my hands kissing them how he can stand the taste of blood is beyond me. "Before you declare your vows to one another, I want to hear you confirm that it is indeed your intention to be married today."

"Miss Brett, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Groom in marriage? If so, answer "I do." Glazing into Matt's eyes I smile sadly if only this could be forever or even for real. "I do Father."

"Mr. Casey do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Miss. Brett in marriage? If so, answer "I do." Matt kisses my check squeezing my hand; I fight against a wave of pain and nausea. "Yes Father I do Freely and by my own accord."

"Mr. Casey and Miss Brett having heard that it is your intention to be married to each other, I now ask you to declare your marriage vows."

Each breath is becoming harder my vision is growing dimmer. VJ is crying as she presses herself into the chest and arms of Lee Henry Herrman. "Matt I never even knew I fell for you not till others pointed it out. You made it easy falling for you, I mean. It's like walking into a house, now I know if God granted me even one more day, I'd choose you, if he gave me a thousand lives; I would choose you in each one."

His hand squeezes mine as my body shakes uncontrollably I can't seem to stop his eyes remain soft now as he holds me the pain is taking over. I know I should be afraid I'm not though not in his arms, not knowing I will go to heaven.

"Sylvie how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints – I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! – and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."

"With the power invested in me, in the state of Illinois, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride." Our lips connect I've dreamed about this day forever, I feel like this must be a dream or the pain leaving me in a haze. He feels wonderful. Like a princess would feel being kissed by her prince. My body sags in pleasure, my heart melts, I can feel my eyes closing. It feels like my world has stopped, my heart is paralyzed in pleasure. I am finally at peace chest to chest in his arms.

A/N: Let me know which story you all want updated faster this one or Summer of Memories. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed or favored any of my fics.