Part 3:
2 years after:
Charlie whistled as he walked along the block, on his way home from football practice. It was a beautiful sun-shiny day, with a cerulean blue sky. If somebody told him that in about 5 minutes, he was going to be attacked, he would have asked him when he had last seen his psychiatrist.
But it was true.
Charlie was suddenly grabbed from behind and punched in the stomach. He lay on the ground gasping as someone punched his face and he blacked out.
One by one, everybody in the household was overcome with an injury. For example, Sarah was hit by a truck, the impact shattering most of her bones. Everybody was in the hospital. Wait… not everybody. Everybody but Jake.
Jake walked to the hospital, sitting dejectedly, looking at his family.
It's not right, he thought. They don't deserve this. Why them? Why couldn't it have been me?
He stared at each of them in turn, sighed, and walked out again.
He did the same thing everyday. He walked to the hospital, and walked back, after school. He was staying at the Shenks now; Dylan had persuaded his mom to let Jake come over.
But this day, he walked in, and was grabbed by one of the nurses.
"What the-" he started, but was cut off by the nurse.
"Your sister!" she screamed. "Your sister's dying! Sarah Baker!"
"No!" he spat. "No! That can't happen! You're lying!"
"I'm sorry dear," she said, more calmly. "Spend your time with her while you can. Most of your family is fading away; we can't guarantee anything."
"NO!" he screamed, the tears starting. "NO!"
He ran away blindly, stumbling into the room where Sarah was, and collapsed into a chair, his shoulders shaking with grief.
He sat there for awhile, going crazy, and staring at his sister. No, it couldn't be Sarah. Sarah, his favorite sibling. Sarah, the crazy mastermind. Sarah. His life was falling apart right in front of his eyes and he couldn't do anything to stop it.
Then, he heard a voice. He stared around. But no one was there.
"Jake," the voice said. "You love your family. But how much?"
"Wha-"
"I can save your family. But only through you."
"Who are you?"
"I am the angel. I can save them. Most of your family is suffering. They will die."
"Save them! Please!"
"I can. But I have to save them through you."
"What does that mean?"
"You can give up yourself for them, or they can die."
Jake sat, pondering. What was going on? But if there was a chance for them to live… he would do it. He would die for them.
"I'll do it. What do you want me to do?"
"I knew you would Jake. You care so much about your family. This is good. I shall tell them what you did after you die."
"Why can't I tell them now?"
"It will be harder on them. Trust me. Open up your arms."
Jake did as he was told. He raised his arms, and waited. For a second, nothing happened.
Then he felt it. He was hit in the stomach and he doubled over in pain. Slowly accepting every wound from his family. It hurt so much. But soon it was done.
He collapsed on the ground, looking up at the people he had been with all of his life. One last time. Then Jake closed his eyes and vanished from the world forever.
Sarah woke up, staring into the concerned faces of her siblings and her parents above.
"She's awake," Mark announced.
Sarah looked around, taking a count. Then she realized that Jake was missing.
"Where is he?" she demanded. She looked around, and saw that Lorraine's eyes were red, as she tried to grin at her younger sister.
"He's gone," she answered, her voice choked with emotion.
"WHAT?" Sarah yelled.
"It's ok honey," her mom tried to comfort her, while rubbing her eyes, trying to keep back the tears. "He… he gave up his life for you."
"WHAT? NO!" Sarah screamed. "What's that supposed to MEAN?"
"An angel came to us dear. She said that he had given up his life…. For you. We had the funeral three days ago. We didn't know when you would wake up. I'm sorry."
Sarah didn't hear anymore. Grief over took her. She began sobbing uncontrollably, blaming herself for her brother's death. He was gone. Jake. Her brother.
1 year later:
Sarah stood up and looked at her brother's grave.
It said:
JACOB BAKER
Beloved Brother
Beloved Son
She hated it. It didn't say anything. How did it describe Jake's easy grin and his love for his family? How did it say that he loved to skateboard? How?
She tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but she couldn't. The tears started coming.
She blamed herself.
She sat there crying, missing her brother more than she had ever before.
But then she heard a voice. "Sarah."
She looked up. No, it couldn't be. It was. Jake.
"Sarah. I gave myself up for you so that you could be happy. You're not happy."
"Well neither would you," she retorted. Then her anger faded and was replaced by a look of dismay. "I feel so bad. Everybody keeps on looking at me and feeling sorry for me, but it's not me that people should be sad about. It's you. I feel so guilty, like I caused your death. And I did. That's the thing that drives me crazy." She started crying, silently, rubbing her tears with her hands.
"It's okay Sarah," Jake said, patting her shoulders. She was amazed at how solid he was, well at least if he was a ghost. "I don't blame you, and that's what matters. I didn't do it just for you. I did it for the whole family. I love you Sarah, and I want you to be happy. If you're not happy, then I'm not happy, and I would've sacrificed myself for nothing. Now, you have to be happy, or else I'm going to come after you, you hear me?"
"I'll try," Sarah said. She was amazed at how calm she felt. But what had she expected. Jake was always there when someone needed him. "I love you Jake."
"I love you to Sarah," Jake answered. "Now be happy, ok?"
"I'll try," Sarah repeated again. She reached up and embraced her brother. "Will you visit again?"
"If you're not happy," Jake answered.
"Then I'll always be sad," she joked.
"Sarah. I love you. And I'll always be here to look out for you. Don't worry. I'll watch over you," he bent over and hugged her again. He kissed her softly on the cheek, a brother-sister kiss, not the other type. "I love you forever and I'll always be in your heart, won't I? And you'll always be in mine."
"You will," she agreed.
"Ok, I have to leave now," Jake said. "I love you."
Sarah sat back and watched, as he stepped up the steps, up into Heaven.
She watched as he disappeared. Then she got up, and wiped the tears away from her face.
She started walking, and turned around one last time.
"Bye Jake. I love you."
She started home, happy for the first time in a year.
aww... wasn't that sad? kind of unrealistic, but as i said, this was my second fic ever. Please Review.
FiNnGrl
