So this is the last time I'll be thanking people with my amazing hugs and everything.. Sad times. Okay, so the final hugs are for ThisHendersonChick14, Aeroja, Write Me To Sleep, Miss-Invisible-Heartbreak, bordoutofmymind, Scarlett, Xbigtimerusherx, ArianaBTR, nigel small, Cookie Monster Giggles, MyLatinoInAHockeyHelmet, UltraViolet116, Mr. President,GrimmSistah, BigTimeOzzy, me, Hikari no Kasai, brittney, taeXen, carlosgarcia, Big Time Ships, DoctorWhoFan9, BeingHannah923, mattie217, Avenue-Dreams, CrazyKAMESFan13,bubzchoc, gabby and lastly, best friend forever who followed me onto this story and has bad stalker issues, MoonbabyAstroRock3r.
Like, so, I can't believe how this story turned out. Excuse me whilst I scream and die all at the same time. I mean, when I began it, I thought it was a crap idea that would go nowhere and I'd be stuck writing something that's utterly useless and wouldn't enjoy it. I've had my ups and downs, some chapters were easy and fun to write, others meant my laptop got a lot of abuse.. But you guys kept me going with the fabulous reviews and constant encouragement. I love you all so much, no matter what you did, whether you reviewed, alerted or favourited. Heck, even if you just read it, you're equally amazing.
So, on with the final chapter, my epilouge, which is annoyingly short because there wasn't a lot I could put into it.. So sorry it's like, really late as well..
Behind The Lens
Chapter Twenty; This Is Our Goodbye.
Logan stood in front of the mirror, his pale hands running along the fine, black fabric that made his suit. A small sigh escaped his lips, as he heard the door open ever so quietly. On instinct, his head snapped around, noticing Lucy carefully edge herself into the room.
"You okay?" Lucy said quietly, her thumbs playing around with each other.
Tugging his bottom lip between his teeth, Logan nodded, returning his gaze back to the mirror. He straightened out his blazer, making sure that his white shirt was tucked in and his black tie was neat. A clear plaster was perched above his right eyebrow, stretching across his forehead and protecting the wound that was gained from the whole incident. His eyes glossed over, a single tear escaping it's prison and rolling down his face, light gently catching it.
"You look amazing," Lucy sadly smiled, placing her hand on Logan's shoulder. "I mean, you always do but a suit definitely suits you."
Logan looked at Lucy through the mirror, noticing the red highlight in her hair was missing, a simple but elegant black dress spilling down to her knees.
"You look great too." Logan croaked out, voice wavering.
Gingerly, Logan's hand fell outwards, begging for Lucy to link her fingers with his and make everything seem better. One touch, skin to skin, and everything would seem slightly brighter. Still sadly smiling, Lucy locked her fingers through Logan's. Pulling on his hand, Lucy gently tugged Logan out of his bedroom and into the apartment.
Lucy pulled her fingers away, walking over to the kitchen. "It's crazy to think it happened only a week ago.."
"Yeah.." Logan quietly replied, standing awkwardly next to the counter.
"I'm sorry," Lucy frowned, picking up a glass and walking over to the sink. "I just, I can't get my head around it."
"I know what you mean.." Logan croaked. "T-The whole experience.. I-It was just so surreal and rushed and.."
Logan stopped, tears streaming down his reddened face. The light caught the tears, making them shimmer as a few droplets fell to the floor, splashing against the wood. He let his eyes flick upwards for a second, noticing Lucy staring at him, sadness swamped over her face. Despite the sadness, Lucy pushed on a smile, only furthering Logan's misery. The model quickly broke down, knees giving way as his body tumbled to the floor in a heap, a strangled cry croaking out from his throat.
"Logan!" Lucy cried, slamming the glass on the counter as she rushed over, dropping to her knees and wrapping her arms around the violently shaking boy.
"Logan, it's okay," Lucy cooed, her hands making circles on his back. "Everything is going to be fine from now on. I miss him too, b-b-"
"You didn't kill him!" Logan screamed, launching his body across the floor away from Lucy. "It wasn't your fault that he's dead! It was m-mine!"
"It wasn't, Logan," Lucy replied, putting her hands up in a defensive position. "You didn't do anything."
"I-If you h-hadn't have come l-l-looking for me, then none of this would have h-happened!" Logan choked, a flurry of tears rolling down his skin.
Pain swamped Lucy as reality hit her. Logan was feeling guilty, again. "You can't blame yourself."
Lucy started to crawl over to Logan slowly, her dress now twisted and mascara slightly running. Soon enough, she reached Logan, pulling him into another embrace once more, only this, securing her lock so that the model had no chance of wiggling his way out, no matter how strong he was when emotions got the better of him and ran high.
Slowly, Logan's tears began to calm, his cheeks puffy and red.
"You can't blame yourself.." Lucy whispered into the embrace, Logan's head buried against her stomach.
After a while, Lucy managed to calm Logan fully down, straightening out his clothes and cleaning of her make-up, seeing as it wouldn't stop running and they didn't have time to re-do it. Locking her hand over Logan's protectively, Lucy lead Logan through the apartment block and out the building, climbing into the cab waiting for them.
The vehicle pulled up outside the church, the building stabbing the clouds with it's shear size. It was a rustic building, made of rock that was decaying and breaking off, only adding to the post-apocalyptic feel the day already held.
"We have to do this, Logan," Lucy said quietly, staring through the window.
Logan gave a curt nod, squeezing onto Lucy's hand as more tears streamed his face. He wasn't ready to say goodbye. Not to someone that had died because of him. If they hadn't had bothered to save him, the fight would have never happened and the bullet never would have shot and then..
None of this would be happening.
Lucy pulled open her door, prying her hand away from Logan for a split second, allowing the model to climb out his own door. Standing on his feet, it was as if the whole ground was shaking, moving at the mere touch of the boy, the boy who caused the death.
"You need to stop feeling guilty," Lucy whispered gently, taking Logan's hand back into her's like the boy was nothing more than a fragile child.
Once again, Logan didn't reply, simply nodding, his eyes vacant and distanced.
The church was quaint, the bright light from the sun tearing through the stained glass, making colourful patterns against the floor and furniture, illuminating over the looming and depressed atmosphere. A dozen people sat together, decked out in their black clothing, varying from suits to dresses, to the younger teenagers wearing more fashionable clothing, but nonetheless, still black because of it being a funeral.
Lucy slightly tugged on his hand, leading him down the middle towards the front. Special candles and flowers decorated the entire room. Lillies, his favourite. Logan kept his eyes focused on the floor, unable to look at the sobbing figures that sat close together, consoling each other and sharing their misery over the loss of such a young boy. A bright kid with such a positive future.
In his daze, Logan felt Lucy retract her hand, causing him to jerk his head up.
"Go, you gotta sit over there," Lucy sadly smiled, moving in the opposite direction.
Spinning on his heels, Logan noticed James and Kendall, the pair sat down on the closest bench towards the front, their hands locked as both boys looked on with clenched jaws. Logan began to motion over, catching the dirty blonde's attention, in which he quickly stood up, pulling his hand from James and wrapping his body around the much smaller boy.
"I'm so sorry, Logan," Kendall mumbled into the hug, squeezing tighter on Logan with every word. "I'm so sorry."
"It's fine." Logan managed to push out, gripping onto Kendall's body for dear life.
"Lucy said you think it's your fault, right?" Kendall asked, pulling Logan away and holding the boy by his shoulders.
Logan quickly examined his clothes and face, noticing the colour from his usual emerald eyes had vanished, his body wrapped in the neat black suit, something that seemed so alien on the normally scruffy boy.
"It is my fault.." Logan whispered.
"It's not," Kendall said in a firm voice, shaking Logan by his shoulders slightly. "We chose to go in there, we chose to take that fight on. H-H-He knew that when h-"
"That doesn't change anything," Logan replied coldly. "I got him killed. Because of me, he's in a coffin, dead."
"Don't think like that.." Kendall slightly hissed, tears glossing his eyes. "Ever."
Swallowing the harsh lump forming in his throat, Logan pulled himself from Kendall vice-grip, turning to face James and take his seat next to the brunette. Sitting down, instantly, James pulled Logan's hand into his, rubbing his thumb in a circle on his palm.
"Don't say anything." Logan warned him, allowing a single tear to run down his face as he bit onto his bottom lip.
"Wasn't going to," James replied, his voice broken. "It's for comfort."
"Sure." Logan said almost emotionless, staring at the floor.
The three boys sat there in silence, Logan's eyes casting over to Lucy and Sabrina sat on the bench opposite them. Lucy's hand was draped over Sabrina, both girls fighting back the tears as much as possible, although Sabrina's cheeks being painted with tears and black streaks from the mascara made it obvious she had been crying not long ago. Soft music began to play, people rising in their seat.
Over the Rainbow. His favourite song.
So much of his favourites on a day he couldn't even enjoy.
The doors opened as the priest began to walk down the aisle, followed closely by the large, wooden coffin, a pretty sheet covering over it, 4 men in black suits carrying it. Logan pulled himself up, James' hand never leaving his for a second. It was a time to be strong together, that's what they all kept telling him over the last few days. Be strong, be together.
The soft music danced around the air lightly, contrasting to the broken sobs and hysterical shaking by many of the people who had lost him. Would never get to see him again.
Guilt and blame swam through Logan's mind as he watched the men slowly walk down the aisle. Then, a small glimmer of hope. Just as the coffin passed him, spreading the self-hatred through his body, the caramel skin made him feel a little warmth. More comforting and definitely less hatred. In a time of darkness, there was possibly a small bit of light that could fix Logan and his newfound problems.
Carlos.
The Latino placed the coffin down with the rest of the men, Drew's family members, straightening out his dark suit as he walked over to sit in the empty seat next to Logan as everybody else took to their seats. As he motioned over, Logan couldn't help but notice the slight limp in his walk, another thing that the model blamed himself for. Carlos finally sat in the seat, instantly grabbing onto Logan's other hand, lacing his fingers through the pale boy's, sadly smiling.
They didn't say anything.
They didn't need to.
Carlos' hand wrapped around his was the only thing Logan needed to stop him from breaking down. James, Lucy and Kendall.. They tried, but nothing compared to the sensation and slightly, minute of happiness that Carlos could provide just with a simple touch. Carlos had been his rock since the accident, the only person who could stop Logan from screaming and shouting and no doubt going completely insane from the guilt eating away at his body.
The song soon dimmed as the priest began to speak, the cries and sobs becoming muffled.
After that, everything became a blur. The man's speaking, the broken cries, all 4 boys sat in a row, clutching onto each other's hands.. Only Carlos' warm touch shone in the overwhelming gloom. Then, something else did. A simple movement from the corner of his eye.
From Sabrina.
Her hand rubbing a circle on her stomach, her eyes glanced downwards as tears flew from her face. Lucy seemed slightly oblivious, staring at the priest with a distanced look.
Sabrina was pregnant.
Then, everything was interrupted, the spark of small flames flickering behind the purple curtain, the fire devouring the wooden coffin and Drew's body.
People began to swarm out the church, family members and friends going to their separate cars. Carlos dragged Logan out, closely followed by the rest of their broken gang. As Lucy consoled a hysterical Sabrina and Kendall and James wrapped themselves in a hug, Logan found himself staring at Drew's mother, a woman he barely knew and yet, his heart was almost pounding out of his chest. The guilt becoming overwhelming. The idea that he caused the lost of her son.
"You didn't do anything." Carlos said, snapping Logan back into reality.
"That woman over there," Logan croaked, pointing his finger at Mrs. Huntley. "She lost her son. Because of me."
Carlos' head snapped in the direction of the lady as she climbed into a black limo, before snapping back.
"You done nothing, Logie, you need to get that through your head." Carlos replied sympathetically.
"I caused it!" Logan shouted, more tears streaming his face.
"No," Carlos said firmly, cupping Logan's reddened cheeks with his hands. "You done nothing. That monster did this. He kidnapped you and my brother to lure me in, he killed my mother, he got me sent away and he killed Drew. You.. You did nothing. He did it all and now, he's going to suffer a long time."
Logan sniffed, the warmth of Carlos' hands heating his face.
"But I-"
"No, but I, Logan," Carlos cut in. "You done nothing and you need to learn that. You were a victim, nothing more, nothing less. You didn't pull the trigger nor did you actually touch Drew yourself."
More tears streamed his face, vision becoming blurred.
"You didn't kill anyone," Carlos croaked, tears welling in his eyes as he leaned forward, touching his forehead against Logan's. "I love you, Logan, more than life itself. We did all this to save you. He didn't die in vain, Logie, he died saving someone he cared about. We all risked our lives to save someone we cared about. Something I would do over and over again, if it meant you would be safe. That's what Drew was thinking. I love you Logan, so so much."
The brunette was taken aback, his jaw hanging slightly as the flow of his tears slowed down. Logan's eyes flicked around the group, landing on Lucy, the girl sat on a bench, dabbing at her tears with a tissue. Someone he never knew, someone he bonded with instantly, someone he lived with and someone who cared enough not to run a mile.
His eyes soon fell on Sabrina, stood motionless against a wall, hand still clutched on her stomach. Someone he had always been friends with, someone who loved him like a brother, someone who lost their loved one and someone who needed support, not hinderance from others' dilemmas.
Kendall, arms draped around James' waist. Someone who befriended him, someone who cared enough to risk their life, someone who treated him instantly like he was a part of the big family, someone who fought against a man with a gun, all to save him.
Then, there was James. Someone who he never knew properly, someone who liked him from the start, someone who despite being rejected, understood and moved on, only strengthening their friendship, someone who seemed so fragile and meak, yet, jumped into danger if it meant saving a friend.
They risked it all, simply for Logan. To save him and to help him. Yet, even after the kidnapping, they were still doing it. Helping him, protecting him.. All because they cared.
A small smile pushed on Logan's face as he turned back, facing Carlos, their eyes connecting and locking.
"I love you too." Logan whispered.
Carlos. Someone he befriended, someone he liked, someone he risked everything to be with, someone who helped him find himself, put himself somewhere in life, someone who saved him, protected him..
Someone he loved with all his heart and more.
THE END.
So Drew died.. *cries*
I did create him and when I decided to kill someone, it was going to be between one of my OC's - so either Sabrina, Drew or Roberto. Sadly, Drew drew the shorter straw, no pun intended. Sabrina is totally knocked up, and now, I've left the future of the group wide open for if I ever want to return at some point.
I won't promise anything because, you know, I'm un-reliable.. But just keep an eye out. Still many possibilities to follow the Scooby Gang, if I can muster up enough ideas and creativity.
So thank and goodnight everyone, you've all been incredibly wonderful!