One More Thread
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: This one's just a tad…morbid.
It was her birthday. Her sixteenth. He couldn't have been happier for her, so when George and Nora asked him to go pick up her cake; he did it without hesitation. When they called and told him to hurry up, he did so. Again, without hesitation. He broke the speed limit by ten kilometres/hour at most.
He would have been safe, were it not for the drunk-driver attempting to switch lanes.
Derek was vaguely aware of flashing lights, sirens, and people prying him from a tangle of metal and aching limbs. The emergency crew was able to remove him from the twisted horror of the used-to-be Prince. He could feel consciousness slipping away from him. Derek blinked up at the emergency crew member kneeling beside him.
"Please," he croaked, "my girl turned sixteen today. Tell her, please, that she can't lose her faith. It's going to be hard. But she can't give up. She's so beautiful, and strong. She has to appreciate life. For the both of us." It was getting harder to speak and to remain awake.
"Sir, an ambulance is on its way." The man informed him.
"Just tell Casey, please. I love her. I just wish I had one more chance to say that to her." The last thread snapped; and he was gone.
--
Nora dropped the phone after pushing the 'end' button. It clattered soundlessly to the floor and broke into pieces. She slid against the cabinet and onto the floor as tears slipped down from her eyes and skid across her face. She wasn't sure of how long she had been sitting there, but eventually she stood and walked lifelessly to Casey's bedroom door.
"Casey." She said quietly, but loud enough for Casey to hear. Nora didn't even know where to begin. How could she tell her daughter that Derek had died? Casey opened the door and furrowed her brows at her mother's appearance.
"Mom, what wrong?" Nora thinned her lips into a thin line.
"Honey…it's Derek." Casey's eyes welled with worry and frightened tears. "There was an accident. An impaired driver was on the wrong side of the road. He…hit Derek." Her voice broke and more tears fell. Casey seemed to be in a catatonic state almost.
Until she crumbled to the floor in a heap of tears and anger.
"No…no. H-he couldn't. He said he loved me." Nora sat beside her daughter and held her.
"I know. I know, Casey. But you can't give up on life." Casey stared at her.
"Why not? He's gone, Mom. He isn't coming back. I love him, Mom. Why'd he have to die?" Nora wiped away tears, but fresh ones only resurfaced Casey's face.
"It wasn't his fault, Casey." Nora said softly. "He left you a message." She whispered as she kissed the crown of Casey's head. As Derek had often done.
"I know it wasn't his fault." Casey snapped. "It was the stupid drunk driver. A stranger killed the man I love. Don't you get it?" Casey asked. Nora wanted to get it. She wanted so deeply to feel the pain Casey did, just so she could help console her.
But Casey was right. Nora had no idea what it must have felt like. And as much as she wanted to help…she would never be able to.
Alright, I lied. It's far more than a tad. And it's really short. I kind of hate it all together. When I thought of it, I kind of hoped it would turn out better than this. Oh well.
Inspiration: Appreciate, Nicholas Jonas - BTW, he kind of sounds like a girl in this song. But it's a really nice song; I suggest you listen to it. :)