Chapter 1: Eternity
Neal smiled at his friend after one final embrace, and began walking toward Kate. Though he would miss Peter, he knew that he was destined to spend the rest of his life with the woman of his dreams, and turning from everything to make that happen was a small price to pay. With a new-found confidence and purpose, his steps sped up and a broad smile stretched over his face. Then everything changed.
As if in slow motion, a bright light emerged from the center of the plane, like a blood-colored sunrise making its way over a dark hill. With the light came a crack louder than thunder, deafening Neal. The tumultuous and rising colors of the explosion both lit up his eyes, and drained the internal light from them, devouring every ounce of hope and joy that he had so recently possessed. From his throat came a blood-curdling scream as he watched his beautiful Kate disappear into the abyss of flames.
He felt strong arms wrap around him as he attempted to lunge forward toward the exploding plane. He let out another cry of desperation and tried with all of his might to escape Peter's embrace. He knew it was over, but he couldn't accept it….He wouldn't accept it. But try as he might, he could not stifle the rising sense of hopelessness that began to overtake him. He sank to the ground, his body racking with thick sobs as he watched the smoke rise and the ashes slowly float to the ground. The feeble remains of the love of his life.
Peter's embrace tightened around Neal's trembling body. Not knowing what else to do in this moment of pure anguish, Peter just held his friend. Words evaded him, and for what seemed like eternity he sat listening to Neal's desperate sobs until help arrived.
~I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter of my first-ever fan fiction story! Please leave me reviews. I would love your feedback and encouragement.~