Chapter Seven ALTETNATE ENDING
I decided not to write an epilogue for the original ending because a lot of people said they liked unhappy endings anyways. The epilogue just didn't seem to fit in with the story. Also, it was kind of an ending itself…even though it was a crappy one…coughs…
Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed reading this story and will continue to read my new one. It will have dark scenes, even though the story will seem light-hearted :).
Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, or added me to their favourites.
Without her…
…He didn't even want to think what he'd do without her, because chances were, he couldn't live if she wasn't with him.
Hurrying over to Sakura's body, Syaoran hoped it wasn't too late…
Sakura's hand was ice cold. Looking down, Syaoran could see the bullet hole. Even though it was small, to him, it looked wide and gaping. Hands shaking, Syaoran brought his cell phone to his ear.
"Tomoeda Police, how may I help yo-" Before the operator could finish, she was interrupted by the panic-stricken voice of Li Syaoran.
"99 Pine Street. Girl shot. Come quickly." His voice still sounded commanding no matter how scared he was on the inside.
"May I have your name?" the operator asked, not at all surprised that someone was in a critical situation. After all, she got these kinds of calls everyday, and a lot of them were just pranks.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" screamed Syaoran. "I have a bleeding, dying girl here and you're asking me my name? Just send the damn paramedics!"
"Sir, I understand you are in shock, but if you could please just remain calm-"
"Calm? My girlfriend is dying! Dying! And you're telling me I should remain calm?" Dying. Sakura was dying… The shock hit him at all once. No…Sakura couldn't be dying…she was so full of life…she wouldn't-no couldn't, be taken away…
The blaring of sirens rang out, but Syaoran couldn't hear them. It was as if his heart was dying and he body couldn't function normally anymore.
A dozen men in white burst through the door. They were greeted with dead bodies sprawled on the floor and one man kneeling over a girl's body. One of them went up to Syaoran while all the others checked the bodies.
"Are you the man who called the police?" No answer. The paramedic figured Syaoran was in shock and decided to question him later. The other men began putting the bodies on stretchers.
"What's the news?" the one who had spoke to Syaoran called out. All the others shook their heads. "Everyone dead, except the girl, but she's just barely clinging on."
At those words, Syaoran's head snapped up. Sakura was still alive…barely, but there was still hope. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get her to the damn hospital!" he shouted.
At that time, the police arrived. "We need to speak to you. Please come to with us for questioning," the chief said to Syaoran. Syaoran glared at him. "I'm not going anywhere with you until I know she's safe," he said, gesturing to Sakura.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that. If you could just come with us now, you can see her as soon as you're done."
Syaoran thought about it. "Alright," he agreed reluctantly. His insides were screaming in rage at the thought of being unable to accompany Sakura to the hospital, but he knew if he didn't comply, he might never see Sakura. If that happened, he would never forgive himself. Though he wasn't sure if he would forgive himself anyways…
The ride was silent. They reached the station in three minutes, and then he was led to an interrogation room.
The interrogator came in with an emotionless face. Looking through his clipboard and notes, he frowned. In his ten years of policing, he had never seen such a high death toll. Tomoeda was a very small town, and rarely did any crimes happen. In the past year, the worst was only a few drunkards who decided it was up to them to vandalize the city.
It also stated that after a thorough investigation, police concluded Syaoran was not a suspect, but needed to be questioned to confirm that, and also to get more details of the homicide.
The bullets embedded on the bodies had all came from different guns and all of them had fingerprints. None of the fingerprints matched those of Li Syaoran. None of his DNA was found at the scene of the crime, expect on the body on Kinomoto Sakura, but she did not appear to have any bruises or marks that indicated abuse.
According to Syaoran, he was visiting his girlfriend, but as he neared the house, he heard many gunshots. He thought that wasn't unusual, because Sakura always liked to play video games and turn the volume on loudly. The video game was found on the floor.
When he got inside the house, however, he saw the scene and went numb. He sounded so confused and shocked that the interrogator thought he was likely telling the truth. There was still one thing that confused him though.
"Did you know Kinomoto Sakura was reported as missing after she failed to show up for work for three days? She was nowhere to be found."
Syaoran hung his head. "Yes, I'm aware. She came to me and said there were a bunch of people after her. She looked so scared, I didn't have to heart to ask her about it. I didn't want to tell anyone because I feared for her safety."
The interrogator frowned. "You should've told the police immediately."
Syaoran looked up, angry. "Well, it's a little bit too late for that, isn't it?" he said bitterly. The interrogator drew back.
"Sorry," he said. "That's all the questions we wanted to ask. We'll be in contact with you if anything happens." He ushered Syaoran out the door.
An officer escorted Syaoran to the waiting room. The officer left and Syaoran waited alone in the hospital. It smelled like old people and medicine…like sickness…and death…
He remembered Sakura telling him how much she hated hospitals. Now he understood why. Each second passed by like years and Syaoran's hope began to wane. It had been five hours since Sakura was taken in and the operating light was still lit.
Finally, a weary-looking man in a green hospital gown came out of the doors. He took one look and Syaoran and shook his head slowly.
"We did everything we could but-"
Syaoran felt his heart stop. Seeing the look on Syaoran's face, the man realized his mistake.
"She's not dead," he said quickly. "But she's in critical condition. If she makes it through the night, she'll be fine…but there might be permanent damage…" he didn't elaborate any further.
"Where is she?"
"She'll be taken to room 512 in five minutes," the man said, pointing to a door a few metres away. "If you wish to see her, you'll need to sign the form on the door. I advise you not to say or do anything that will cause a strong reaction, as that may deter her health."
As soon as the man walked away, the stretcher carrying Sakura was wheeled out. The doctors hooked her up to many machines inside the room.
Syaoran sat beside her bed and stared down at Sakura. He could barely recognize her. The Sakura he knew was lively and energetic. The Sakura lying on the bed was unconscious and drained.
"I'm so sorry." Syaoran knew what he just said was futile, but he didn't know what else to say. What do you say to a person whom you got landed in the hospital, having almost ended her life?
There was no response expect for the beeping of the machines. Syaoran held Sakura's hand all night, but she never even twitched. His heart began to race and clench. "If she makes it through the night…"
Right now, Sakura showed no sign of ever waking. Maybe it was better that way. Sakura wouldn't be happy on earth…what would she live for? Maybe she would be happier some place else…away from him…
Without Syaoran knowing, the time had quickly passed by and he dozed off.
Her eyelids were so heavy… Sakura wanted to open them…but it took so much effort. Finally, her eyes snapped open and she tried to adjust to the bright light streaming in from the windows. Wait a minute…her room didn't have any windows…
She looked around the room and to her horror, it was filled with beeping machines. Just like the last time she awoke in this cold place…
Something warm was gripped her hand. Sakura looked down to see her hand being held by a masculine one. The hand was attached to the body of Li Syaoran…
Suddenly, it all came rushing back. He was why she was here in the first place…but it wasn't entirely his fault. Sakura couldn't feel any hatred towards him, even though she knew she should. Why was he here anyways?
Syaoran's eyelids fluttered open and he seemed groggy. His eyes met with Sakura's.
"You're awake…" he whispered, more to himself than her.
"Look Sakura…" Syaoran started blabbing a million apologies while trying to explain what happened.
"Shut up," said Sakura.
Syaoran's face fell. He knew he deserved it, but that didn't make the pain feel any less bad. After all, what should he have expected? Her to throw her arms around him and tell him it was okay and everything was forgiven and forgotten?
Sakura gently lifted Syaoran's face up and kissed him. Fireworks erupted and they both got lost as time seemed to stop and it was like the world didn't even exist…
Sakura was the first to pull away. "I love you," she whispered.
Syaoran was in shock. After all that he did, after all that he put her through, she still didn't hate him.
Sakura took in the silence. "I guess you don't feel the same…"
Syaoran looked up startled. "No, I love you more than anything in the world…it's just that…how can you love me? I mean…after all that's happened…"
Sakura laughed lightly. "I don't understand either. Love doesn't have to be explained, you know? Besides, it's all about forgiving and giving second chances."
He was amazed. He always thought Sakura was unique, but this…it much just too much. She deserved someone better. When he told her this, she frowned. "I don't want someone better," she said firmly.
Just then, a doctor burst though the door, looking sheepish. "Sorry," he said, embarrassed at having interrupted something. "I need to check up on the patient."
Syaoran nodded and softly closed the door behind him, feeling happier than he ever had in his whole life. Feelings were new to him…but as he had discovered, they weren't that bad…
The doctor came back out, looking puzzled. "I never expected such a miracle. She doesn't appear to have any long-term damage. However, she will need months of therapy…"
Syaoran went in and saw Sakura sitting cutely on the bed. "So…," she said slyly. "How are you going to make it up to me?"
Syaoran pulled her into his arms and gave her a deep kiss. Sakura laughed. "Maybe I should get shot more often."
The End! Yeah, that was horrible cuz everything was too simple and had easy solutions. Oh well. :) You guys wanted happy right? Once again, thanks to everyone who reviewed and added me to their favourites. Please continue to do so for my new story, Scripted.
