By the time school finally finished I grabbed my crutches and as I started for the door to the school Max stopped me. Puzzled I followed him outside and once we were alone he took a deep breath and that started to worry me.
"Forge just called me. N-Tek's...gone." He told me and I stared at him for a few seconds, not sure what he was telling me. Then it finally dawned on me and my eyes went wide before I quickly asked Shock to get us back to N-Tek. For a moment Shock hesitated then seeing the fear on my face he linked with me and in seconds we shot into the air. Shaking his head at me Max soon joined us but I was so focused on getting back to N-Tek and making sure Berto was alright that I didn't even notice him following me in Flight Mode. But as I neared the outskirts of the city Shock spoke and what he said scared me.
"Something's burning and its coming from the direction of...N-Tek." Shock told me and I shot forward leaving Max far behind me. And just as I finally reached the base I gasped and landed nearby watching as the base burned. Detaching from my chest Shock looked from me to the base and before he could stop me I rushed into the building. Heading straight for Berto's lab I didn't see Shock following me until he shot forward and I almost ran into him.
"Calm down!" He shouted and I stared at him for a few seconds before I pushed past and kept running desperate to find my boyfriend. Once I reached his lab I walked in without checking it first and as I stepped towards the computer a sudden explosion threw me into the far wall. With a sickening thud I collided with it and with a cry of pain I fainted and when Shock finally caught up he found me lying out cold on the floor. Quickly he shouted at me to wake up and getting no response he flew over to my head and shook my shoulder. It wasn't long before I groaned, eyes fluttering open and when they focused on Shock he sighed as I slowly sat up. "Jess are you okay? What happened?" He asked as he helped me to my feet and as I shook my head shaking the wooziness out of it I stared at the lab.
"Berto!" I called out as I began to search for my missing boyfriend and as I began to wander the lab my leg started to hurt badly and in moments I needed to sit down. Wishing I hadn't left my crutches behind I leant against the computer and as I set my hand down on the keyboard I felt my hand land in something sticky. A bit grossed out I lifted my hand and that's when my eyes went wide as I found a smear of blood staining the glove. Confused and very frightened I looked down at the keyboard and that's when I found that the blood ran from the keyboard down to the floor ended in a slowly dripping pool. "Berto?" I whispered before another explosion rocked the building and before I fell over Shock linked with me, quickly switching us to Speed Mode. "But Berto...I have to..." I started to mumble before my body suddenly rushed forward and no longer in control I could only watch as Shock rushed for the exit.
"I'm sorry Jessie but this building's coming down. We have to go now." He told me and as I cried out for Berto he raced outside putting as much distance as possible between us and the base. Just as we were several feet away the ground shook and as I was thrown to the ground, crying out as I landed on my still healing leg, I watched in horror as the building collapsed. "Oh man." He muttered as he detached from me and as he watched the building cave in on its self he heard me call out. Somehow getting to my feet I tried to stumble towards the base only for Max to rush towards me and hold me back. But I wasn't listening to him as he told me to stay back and as I struggled to break free I heard a Jump Jet coming. As I looked up I saw the jet land a few feet away and when Forge hurried down the ramp I just stood there wanting to see my friends.
"Forge you made it out alright. Is everyone alright? Can I see Berto now?" I asked talking a mile a minute and as Kat and Jefferson appeared beside him I took one look at the sadness on all their faces and that's when I stepped back, slowly shaking my head.
"I'm so sorry Jessie. He...didn't make it out. We can't find him." Kat explained and I frowned for a moment.
"Then he might be still inside. I have to find him." I replied and as I turned around about to rush back into the building despite being unstable on my leg I stopped. As I watched in horror the building burned and I didn't even notice when Forge called out, telling me to keep clear. "No...Berto." I whispered and as my helmet vanished I just stood there. Then as my friends watched tears began to fall and I let out a pain filled cry. And before anyone knew what I was doing I called out to Shock, begging him to get me out of here. Knowing that I was too shaken up to be reasoned with Shock flew over to me and silently linked. The instant I found myself in Flight Mode I took to the air and left my friends on the canyon floor.
For a long time I sniffed not wanting to believe that my boyfriend was gone forever but as the hours wore on and I didn't hear from him the truth finally hit me and I almost slammed into a building. If Shock hadn't taken control I would have and as he flew me back to my apartment I started to sniff, tears threatening and the second Shock climbed inside the building and changed me back to my street clothes I burst into tears. Leaning against the wall of my bedroom I slowly slid down and burying my face in my hands I began to sob. As Shock hovered beside me he tried to find the right words to say that would comfort me and just as he began to speak I glared at him, furious. "I'm sorry that..." He began before he saw the look I was giving him and as he stared I growled.
"No you're not! You hated Berto and now he's gone so I hope you're finally happy. You were always getting mad at him for kissing me or spending time with me even after he tried to protect me and..." I gasped and as I fought to breathe between sobs I saw the pain on Shock's face as he stared down at the floor, his arms hanging loosely at his sides. And that's when I realized that I was being a horrible person. "Oh Shock I'm so sorry. I just hurting from losing him and...and..." I started to sniff again and as my leg began to throb I whimpered. "First my parents and now...why does this world hate me so much? Why does everyone keep getting taken away from me?" I sobbed as I stumbled towards my bedroom and practically fell onto the bed. Flying into the room Shock hovered overhead and as he wondered what to say I grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug. Usually annoyed at being hugged Shock nonetheless hugged me back, trying his best to comfort me as I sobbed feeling like my heart was breaking in two. A short time later I had my face buried in my pillow my sobs making even Shock miserable and when I went quiet suddenly he blinked.
"I thought we'd be together forever." I mumbled and as Shock's eye went wide I sniffed again not sure what I was saying. "I know its stupid and I'm only 17 but...I think he was the one." Confused Shock blinked and noticing the stare I sighed. "The one I wanted to spend my life with. My soul mate." I tried to explain as I sat up, rubbing my watery eyes.
"What's a 'soul mate'?" Shock asked and I swallowed trying to find the words to explain.
"It means the guy that one day I might end up marrying. Yeah its stupid but I cared about him so much and now..." I started to sniff and as fresh tears threatened I lay on my side, grabbing my pillow to muffle my cries. Not sure what to say to that Shock just hovered overhead until I went quiet and when he gently prodded my arm he found that I had exhausted myself and was now fast asleep. Sighing heavily Shock gently covered my body with a blanket leaving just my head visible before he landed beside me determined to watch over me. And that's exactly what he did for the rest of the night.