After this, there are only two more chapters! Well, one more chapter, the second is kind of an authors note/facts about this story.
This is the chapter with some real action... and some real feels. Be prepared. You have been warned.
Slickback and Ed grabbed ahold of Hiro, trying to help him up, but Hiro screamed under the pain. Carefully, they set him back down, "Riley! "Ed called out. Riley rushed over, terrified at the scene. Hiro had lost a lot more blood now, "We need to get him outta here, "Slickback said, "If we don't, he'll die, "
Riley nodded, "Load him onto the boat, "
"No! "Hiro fought against them, "I'm not leaving until Ming leaves with us. I'm not leaving! "He argued. Riley blew out some air, "Fine, I'll see if I can get Ming to-, "WHAM! He was smacked down by a big guy. Rummy tore after the two, trying to pull the man off of Riley. Riley jabbed and screamed and punched, but he was a whole lot skinnier than this sumo-big guard.
Ed cursed under his breath, "Damn we need to leave! "He propped Hiro against the boat side, "I'll go find her, "He assured him. Hiro nodded and Ed took off.
Ava and Mae were still fighting while Cindy and Jazmine rushed away to the control room. All of the men who were on the boat were fighting Huey and Riley, along with the others, so there was literally no one to stop them. They made it to the steering wheel. "How do you drive this thing? "Jazmine asked. Cindy shrugged, "Maybe there's a manual or somethin', "She offered. Jazmine went hunting through the cabinets.
A large window was above the steering wheel, floor to ceiling, allowing them to see what was in front of them. Down below, they could see the fighting going on. Suddenly, Cindy spotted a man trying to grab at a wounded Hiro. "Hiro! "Cindy shrieked, grabbing onto the wheel. Without realizing it, she spun it roughly and quickly.
On the deck, the boat tipped and veered to the right, causing everyone on board to fall under the sudden impact. Hiro was flattened against the wall as Caesar fell into him, "Oh shit, sorry man! "Caesar cried out. Hiro grunted, "Just get off already Caesar! "He yelled.
Caesar jumped up and used the side of the boat to help keep him up. Jazmine quickly moved the wheel so the boat was evened out again, sending everyone back down. Cindy fell backwards and grabbed onto a fire extinguisher, knocking it down with her. Jazmine then carefully turned the wheel so that they were making another sharp right turn in order to turn the boat around, heading back to the lake house.
Ava spotted them from her position on the deck. She gave Mae one final punch in the face before tossing her aside and racing for Jazmine and Cindy. Ming tried to grab Ava, but she was pulled back by one of her goons. Ava reached the control room and locked the door behind her.
Cindy had stood up with the fire extinguisher still in hand, and once she saw Ava approaching, she quickly began to try and get it to work. Ava's presence in the room was eerie and silent; the only noises were their heavy breathing and Cindy's failed attempts to start the extinguisher.
"You're annoying, "Ava blew a strand of hair out of her face, "You took my Huey away from me. "
"Your Huey? Ava WAKE UP! "Jazmine yelled, stamping her foot, "Look at what's happened! Huey LEFT you when he left Chicago, he came here to get AWAY from you! "Jazmine still couldn't believe how insane Ava really was, "You sent me that death threat, and you've tried to kill me and my friends. Ava, you've gone too far! "Jazmine threw her hands up in the air, "Why can't you understand how crazy this is?! "
"Because Huey's all I got! "Ava shrieked. The room went silent. Ava huffed, "Mother died when I was young, "Ava went on, "Daddy is a pimp, a drug lord, he's been getting into trouble evert since I was little. He always had money, though, enough to keep me raised in a big house with a nanny. But I wanted love, Jazmine, and Huey loves me, "
Jazmine suddenly understood why Ava wanted Huey so bad. Ava wanted someone to love her so badly, that when Huey did, she refused to believe he never would. And when he stopped, it tore her apart so bad it drove her insane. She wanted to be loved forever; and Huey was able to fill in the void for a while until he left. Jazmine pitied Ava now.
"Ava, I know you're hurting, "Jazmine said, "But you won't get anything by doing this. All you're doing is hurting more people, and for what? Because you're hurting? Everyone hurts, "Jazmine sucked in a breath, "My parents fight every day, they fight so much they hardly ever notice me. They act like they love each other for the sake of reputation, but they really don't, "Ava's face somewhat softened.
"My mother cheats on my father, "Cindy piped up, "She's been doin' it for a long time, but dad just doesn't care anymore. He's already on to other woman too, "Ava glanced at Cindy, whose face was hard and dead serious.
"See Ava, you're not the only person who has been hurting; who wants someone to love them, "Jazmine continued, "We all want someone to love, and we all want that someone to love us back. Sometimes it just doesn't work out, and you have to accept that-, "
"No! "Ava stamped her foot, "No, I won't believe it, I won't! "She gave Jazmine a menacing look, "He loved me before he met you, it's your fault! "She pointed and accusing finger at Jazmine, "It's all your fault! If you had never come into his life, he would still love me! "
"No, Ava, Huey stopped loving you before he met me! "Jazmine tried again, but Ava wasn't listening. Instead, Ava lunged. Ava grabbed ahold of Jazmine's hair and pulled her down. Cindy picked up the fire extinguisher and swung at Ava, hitting her in the back. Ava howled and tried to pull the extinguisher away from Cindy, but Cindy pushed her away subconsciously, now that she was fully in her flight or fight mode.
Ava backed up and tripped. She smashed against the window, and then the glass broke. Ava's eyes widened as the glass gave weigh beneath her and she fell. Jazmine rushed over to her, "AVA! "She shrieked, reaching out to grab ahold of her hand. Ava grabbed ahold of a dangling rope from the ceiling while her feet left the ground and hovered in the air. Suddenly, the rope broke, and Ava fell, grabbing ahold of the ledge and hanging on for dear life.
Jazmine rushed over and leaned over, grabbing Ava's arm, "Ava, hold on, "She grunted, but Ava was extremely heavy. Ava looked down below; the drop was very high, maybe fifteen feet. Ava looked back up at Jazmine, and she saw the fear and mercy in her eyes. Ava began to cry, "I can't have my Huey, "She sobbed. She reached into her robe and pulled out a cell phone, "If I can't, no one can. "And with that, she clicked the phone on and spoke only two words: "Explosives: activate. "And she released her grip.
"AVA, NO! "Jazmine shrieked just as a loud BOOM shook the yacht. Ava landed on the deck with a deadening thud, but the deck was weak, and it gave out and Ava fell even further below deck and disappeared.
"When did this bitch rig this mother fuckin' yacht with fuckin' explosives?! "Ed yelled. The back of the yacht was sinking. Most of Ava's men were abandoning ship, jumping into the water. Ed tried to pick up Hiro, but Hiro stood on his own, "Go, I have to find Ming! "He yelled. Ed nodded and rushed to help Caesar, who had been hurt pretty bad. Thugnificent was helping a limping Slickback towards the small speedboat as best as he could with the boat tipping over. Eventually, they made it to the edge, where Thugnificent took the easy way by grabbing ahold of Slickback securely and jumping into the water and swimming to the speedboat. Caesar was next off the boat with Ed and Rummy. Hiro was sliding across the deck floor, searching for Ming.
Mae and Ming had made it to the control room, where Jazmine was still trying to look over the edge in search of Ava. Mae felt the tears come on, "She's dead, "Mae sobbed. She grabbed ahold of Jazmine, "Let's go. "Mae might've been fed up with Ava's crap, but Mae loved her; Ava was Mae's best friend for years. For her to just die like that... no goodbye or anything, it shook her world.
The boat wasn't sinking too fast, and it was only slightly angled, but the longer they were on it, the more of a chance they had of never getting off it. Quickly, they rushed down to the deck, where they were met by Riley, Huey, and a limping Hiro. Ming rushed into Hiro's arms just as another explosive went off.
Everyone fell to their knees, "It was the engine! "Mae cried out. The yacht was now sinking faster. Hiro felt his wound worsen and he cried out, "I can't make it guys! "More blood was spilling from his gunshot wound, and finally he ripped off the thin bandages to reveal that the wound had gotten bigger with all the pressure and how active he had been. Ming gasped at the sight; she hadn't realized how hurt he had gotten. Mae couldn't believe it, either. All the promises she had broken in a single day, a single hour.
Huey gestured for Riley to take Cindy and leave. Riley nodded, carefully leading Cindy to the edge, where they jumped off and landed in the cold water. Huey grabbed ahold of Jazmine, "Jazmine, get off the boat! "He yelled, "I'll stay and help Hiro! "Jazmine nodded. She grabbed Mae's wrist, "C'mon Mae, "She said. Mae stopped for a moment, glancing at Ming and Hiro.
"I'm so sorry, "She whispered, still crying. A third explosive in the control room send glass and yacht parts flying everywhere. The yacht was coming apart by the seams. Hiro grabbed ahold of Ming and stared into her eyes, "I love you, "He whispered. Ming was sobbing hysterically, "H-Hiro I-I'm sorry I couldn't protect you! "She cried, "I thought you would be safe, "This wasn't supposed to end like this. They were supposed to have lived happily, at least that's what Ming had imagined while working for Mae.
"I am, I am, "Hiro assured her, kissing her lips tenderly. "We're going to be okay, "He said with a hint of a smile, "I promise you won't lose me, "Ming kissed him back just as a destroyed piece of metal pierced her back.
"MING! "Jazmine and Mae screamed, but they was grabbed by Huey and were dragged off of the ship and into the cold waters below.
They heard the sirens, but everything was so distant. They felt themselves being pulled out of the icy water one by one, the speedboat had also been caught in the mayhem and was destroyed. The world was so cold and terrible now. The water was stained with blood. The yacht was in ruins, pieces floated all over the place and began to wash up on the grassy shores. The lake house was raided by police and they discovered Romero and a few other men, all of whom were arrested. A helicopter came down over the bloodied ruins of the yacht and fished out the bodies of Ava and Hiro; it was Ming who was barely breathing and rushed to the hospital. Their lips were so blue, their bodies so cold. Ming had managed to grab ahold of a floating board while she bled, but the cold waters kept her body cold enough to survive.
They were led to the same hospital she was in, all scared and shaken up. Slickback, Ed, Thugnificent, Rummy, and Caesar were rushed into the emergency room to take care of their wounds. Riley, Cindy, Huey, Jazmine, and Mae were checked over, Jazmine's baby was said to be fine, and they waited.
Mr. and Mrs. Dubois were the first to meet them there, followed by Mrs. And Mr. McPhearson and Mr. Freeman. They were all crying and hugging their children/grand boys. They were all glad they were alive. Jazmine finally told her parents, who weren't even at all angered, although it was probably because of the tragic incident she had just been in.
After a few hours of waiting, a doctor came into the waiting room. Mae was handcuffed to a seat; she had requested to stay and see if Ming was okay.
Each of them stood up as the doctor approached, a heavy look on his face, "It's amazing she's alive right now, "He admitted, "She lost so much blood. She took on a stab with a metal object in the back that pierced a few organs. Her left eye was crushed and we had to remove it. She has gashes and cute along her body, and her right leg is broken, along with her wrists and a few fingers. I'm sorry to say, but Ming won't last through the night. "Jazmine, Cindy, and Mae began to cry while Riley and Huey were speechless, "Ming also doesn't seem to remember much…she's asking for a boy called Hiro. "
"Her boyfriend, "Huey said through gritted teeth, "He died on the yacht. He was shot and then drowned. "The doctor nodded grimly, "Yes, well, whatever you tell her, it won't matter, she won't live long enough to truly grieve. "The hallway was silent, "If you want, you may go in to see her. "He said, "She might look a little worse for wear, but right now, she's stable. "
They followed him into a white room where a battered and bruised Ming laid on a pristine white bed, wires hooked up to her. The heart monitor was beating steadily as she breathed in and out, in and out. She was naked, it seemed, the covers pulled up to her chest. She had bruises along her face, white bandages on her arms, and one that went across her left eye. She had small casts on a few fingers that connected to casts on her wrists, just like the doctor said. Although they couldn't see it, they could imagine what the wound looked like underneath the covers.
She spotted the group and she smiled, although she winced as she did so, her right eye watered up, "How is the baby? "She asked Jazmine. Jazmine nodded and smiled, although she was crying, "It's fine, "She whispered. Ming nodded, "That's good. "
Mae, whose hands were now cuffed in front of her, approached Ming, "Ming, I am so sorry, I am sorry, "She sobbed, "I let you get hurt, I let Hiro get hurt. I am so sorry, how can I ever make you forgive me? "
Ming smiled, "I forgive you, Mae, "She said, leaning up a little to kiss Mae on the cheek. Mae truly lost it then, sobbing relentlessly into her hands. After all that had happened, after everything that had came to be, Ming still forgave Mae. It might've been because she didn't know that Hero was dead. Ming turned to the others, "Where is Hiro? Please tell me he's awake now, "Tears were streaming down her face from her right eye as she spoke, as if an inkling in her mind new that he didn't make it, but she didn't want to believe it.
"Ming…, "Huey began, "Hiro-, "
"Isn't awake yet, "Riley cut in. Huey shot him a look, but Riley went on, "He woke up a few hours ago, but he fell back asleep. Guess the nigga need his beauty sleep, "He said jokingly. Cindy and Jazmine held their breaths.
Ming's smile widened a little, "Oh good, I don't want him to see me like this. "She whispered. She stared off into the ceiling, her single eye watered up to much that it looked like a single crystal. Her smile slowly faded. The heart monitor began to beep rapidly, and the loud single lasting beep that went off in the room shattered every heart into millions of pieces. Her eye shut forever.
"You shouldn't have lied to her, "Cindy sobbed. Jazmine and Mae sobbed into their hands over the now death of Ming.
"It's better to lie to her than tell her the truth, "Riley replied quietly, tears falling down his face, "She would've died heartbroken, "
"He has a point, "Huey admitted, wiping away his own tears. "She died with hope. "
"I'll see you again
You never really left
I feel you walk beside me
I know I'll see you again..., " -Westlifes
Their funerals were full of grief and sadness. Hiro and Ming were buried side by side. Ava's body was shipped back to Chicago to be buried over there. Romero and his men were sentenced to prison. Mae was also charged, although the charges were dropped and she was allowed to attend the funeral. She cried the most for Ming.
"I am so sorry Ming, "She cried over and over again, "You did everything I asked, and now look, "She wiped her tears with a black-sleeved covered arm, "I let you down. You and Hiro are dead, "She sobbed harder, "This is all my fault! "She really blamed herself for Ming and Hiro's death. She had promised that Hiro would be alright, and now look; both of them were dead. She cried for Ava as well, even if Ava went insane and ultimately killed herself and tried to kill everyone else on the boat.
Ed, Rummy, Thugnificent, and Slickback attended as well, mourning and full of grief. They came to love Hiro, even Ming, even after her betrayal. Cristal tagged along.
She spotted Jazmine standing over the two graves and decided to approach her, "Well, I heard you're knocked up, "Cristal said. Jazmine nodded, "Yeah, "She sniffed. Cristal sighed, "It's okay, "She said, pulling Jazmine into a hug, "It's okay Jazmine, "She comforted Jazmine, running her fingers through Jazmine's afro. Jazmine sobbed, "They're gone forever, Cristal, "She cried.
"But they're together sweetheart, "Cristal assured her, "They'll be together forever, two young sweethearts in love forever, "She cracked a small smile, "They love each other, "She said again, "I'm sure of it. "
Jazmine nodded, "We lied to Ming, "Jazmine said, "Riley told her that Hiro had lived, and Ming died right after that. "She wiped away her tears. Cristal sighed, "She died happy then, "Cristal said, "She died believing in something. "
Jazmine nodded, "Yeah, at least. "
"What about Ava? "
Jazmine shrugged, "Ava killed herself I guess. I tried to save her, I had her in my arm, "She looked down at her hands, "But she let go, and she fell. They said that their bodies were so mangled, but Hiro's was in better shape that Ava's. "Jazmine leaned over to touch the two graves, and she could almost feel Hiro and Ming's hands in hers, "I never wanted Ava to die, even if she had taken us like that, I never wanted her to die like that. "
"Maybe she's in a better place now, poor chick, "Cristal assured her. Jazmine shrugged, "Maybe. "
"Jazmine, "Huey said, approaching them. Jazmine turned to him and smiled, "Yes Huey? "She asked. He held out his arm for her to grab, "Let's go, everyone's going back to our place, "
"Okay, "She said, grabbing his arm with her hand. She turned to Cristal and smiled before walking away with Huey. Cristal was approached by Slickback, "That kid was something else, "Slickback commented, "The boy, Hiro. Not once did he ever hate Ming, the girl. He loved her with all his heart. He fought so hard to get to her. Broke our hearts when he died, even my own, "Slickback admitted. Cristal sighed and gave a wry smile, "Let's go, I want to go to their place for a while, "She said. Slickback nodded, "Yeah, okay, "He said, not objecting.
He followed Cristal and the other's out of the cemetery.
In the distance, they could all hear the voices of Hiro and Ming. Mae heard them, they all heard them. Even Ava's.
Yeah, big blow in the heart. Just hang on guys. Don't hate me pleeeasssee.
xoxoxo, queen