Chapter 15

Torn

In the hospital, Blaise was revived. But there was internal damage done, and the doctor had said she would die, he just didn't know when. Everyone in the waiting room was distraught and torn. Especially Thea and Gillian. The nurse walked out into the corridor.

"Airiana lovett." She called.

Airiana released Triston's hand and followed the nurse down the corridor. She walked past a room with an elderly woman eating mash potato and gravy, she walked past a young boy watching TV with his leg slung up, she walked past a middle aged woman giving birth. So much life, pain and death.

She reached Blaises room.

She walked in past the nurse and stood at Blaises bed side. She kneeled down as Blaise firmly gripped her hand.

"Airiana, you saved me." She spat in pain. "But I'm not gonna make it."

"Don't say that." Airiana scolded.

"It's true. You know it is. Just promise you'll take care of Thea for me. And tell her I love her."

"Well, I'll go get her, you can tell her yourself." Airiana started to turn away but Blaise squeezed her hand.

"No, I don't want her to see me like this. Please...tell her."

"Ok. I'll tell her."

Blaise nodded a slow thankyou. She was taking short breaths and quietly gasping for air.

But then Blaises hand began to loosen itself from Airiana's. Airiana knew that death was peaceful, so she did not interrupt. Blaises head fell to the side a little, with a small smile paved on her lips. She was facing Airiana as the light in her eyes faded. Airiana slid her hand out from under Blaises hand and stood. She bent a little, using her fingers to respectfully close Blaises souless eyes, then she bent down to kiss Blaises forehead. As she straightened she whispered 'Rest in Peace'.

Airiana walked back down the corridor with single tears streaming down her cheeks. She saw the middle aged woman cradling a new born baby in a soft pink blanket. She saw the boy with the broken leg changing the channels. She saw the elderly woman putting her tray down. In the time it took Blaise to die, it took someone to have a baby, someone's movie to finish, someone to finish a meal.

Airiana got back to the waiting room and everyone looked at her intensly.

"She's gone." Airiana spoke. Thea stood screaming 'NO' and began to run down the corridor, pushing past Airiana. Thea was followed by her soulmate, Eric, Gillian, and her soulmate, David. Airiana covered her face with her hands as she began to sob and she felt Triston's strong arms enclose around her.

Airiana was looking in the mirror as she wore her black pants, black shirt, black cartigan, and white scarf. She grabbed her black shaded aviator sunglasses, put them over her red puffy eyes, and walked to Blaises bedroom. Airiana slowly pushed the (thank god) open door and stepped in. Blaises sheets were folded neatly and her possesions were gone.

Airiana stepped into the bathroom and instantly noticed that there was glass everwhere. She raised her sunnies through her hair and sat them on top of her head. Airiana's boots crunched against the glass on the floor as she walked to where the mirror had been. In the sink was a single triangular shard of glass. She saw a flash of red in the shard. She snatched it up and looked on one edge. Her name was written in bright red lipstick. When Airiana wiped her thumb across her name, it did not smudge. almost like it was written from the inside. She turned it over and saw Blaise, smiling and waving at her, silently laughing.

Airiana smiled and slid it into her pocket.

At the funeral, the priests words were the only thing Airiana could hear as she drifted off to another world. Away from the cemetary in Chicago from which Blaise would be laid to rest.

"In the time it takes for a soul to leave this world, it takes another soul to enter. Blaise's ultimate sacrifice is seen as bliss in the eyes of god, and will open the gates to heaven, where her soul may forever rest in peace. Amen."

As these words were spoken, Airiana was in a nother place. Watching Blaise. Stepping through these giant golden gates, her feet dancing across the clouded floor. Her eyes widened in joy as she grinned. She was then dancing in a field of blazing red tulips. As she spun around, her extended fingers grazed the soft petals. Her flowly white dress was breezing around her knees. This was her heaven.

As Airiana came back to the real world, it was time for her to place her flower on the coffin. With her single right hand, she softly dropped a single blazing red tulip on the coffin and smiled.

Airiana caught sight of Thea receiving her condolensces from the people who attended the funeral. Airiana grabbed Thea's hand and said, "She's in a better place."

"You don't know that." Sniffled Thea.

"Yes I do."