There are many theories about life after death. Is there a heaven and hell. Do you just go to nothing with only a little film about your “best bits?” Or do your memories fade away as you get reincarnated. I’ve come close to finding out many times but have never reached there. Not many people know that I’ve come close. Out of the people who know, the number got smaller today. I wish it hadn’t. Death is a strange thing. You can never be quite certain about it. I’ve never trusted him. Sometimes I wish I had the courage to punch him, after everything he has done to me. As a child, my mother would tell us stories on Halloween about death playing tricks on random people for fun as our father would watch from the door. There was one where death tortured the man so much that he became crazy and killed himself. Death would hide other people from the man and make the man’s wife betray him. Then people in the streets would watch and stare as he grumbled down the streets, mumbling about revenge. The night before he was meant to go to the hospital, he was found hung in a tree in the local park.

That story was true. Well so I've heard.

This time death tortured someone close to me for the second time. He saw I was hurt so decided to make it worse.

We ran back through the haunted woods, tracing our steps back to the house. Each path was painted red and was decorated with the bodies of those had fallen. Yet they didn’t faze us. We only cared about what horrors would face us when we get out of this hell and into another. My feet picked up faster as the edges of the dark pit became more visible. The day light blinded us as we rushed to the house. Now I could truly see the dangers that was once a house with a happy family. As we got closer, screams could be heard from the street. Something caused me to stop as Gerard rushed on. I slowly edged towards the door, taking my time not to step on the broken floor. I don’t want to face what is beyond the door. What lays on the street. The people in the surrounding houses waking up to a messed up situation they didn’t need to be pulled into. Before I was even on the street, I could imagine the mother hiding their children from the site which could be there. I pushed the last branch away to find Gerard collapsed in a pile of blood. From the moment I heard those gunshots, I knew it wasn’t good. We shouldn’t have left in the car; not after what had happened. How could I be so stupid? I fell next to Gerard and started stroking the corpse in his arms. Tears of mixed feeling streamed down Gerard’s face as he cried out in agony. He rocked his younger brother back and forward as he looked to the sky. Mikey would never be in hell but he doesn’t deserve to be in heaven right now. He’s way too young. I stood up from Gerard and started to look at the beaten up car. Glass spewed all over the seat while they were stained in the blood of the fallen. Bullets patterned the leather bounded seats and created perfect cracks in the back window. I gradually made my way to the boot. It had been broken into. The folder!

“Gerard” I quietly said, keeping my eyes fixated on the boot, “Gerard” I repeated when I got no answer, “Gerard, it’s gone. The folders gone.” I pushed the boot up further to find nothing. Everything inside it was gone. Except a note.

“They left another note.” I snatched it, cutting my skin in the rush.

“Fuck” I whispered. The note was small and looked like it was rushed. Whoever wrote it must have been in a hurry.

“he knows a frightful fiend doth close behind him tread” I muttered skimming the words, “that’s from the poem” I said loudenough so Gerard could hear.

“Jade, I couldn’t give a flying fuck about some shitty poem” Gerard screamed from the other side of the car. My heart raced as I closed the boot. Sirens wailed in the distance creating the only sound in the street. I looked around to see curtains quickly close. Eyes peeking out through slight cracks in hope of information. The street was a ghost town, waiting for something to happen.

“Gerard” I whispered, slowly walking round to him, keeping my eyes on the houses, “we need to get out of here. We can’t be found here. If we do then that’s game over.” I placed my hand on the broken soul.

“I’m not leaving him” he replied, clinging harder onto Mikey. I looked nervously down the road as the sirens got louder.

“Gerard, I don’t want to either but need to fucking leave now” I sternly said, picking up my voice. I crouched next to Gerard, keeping a firm eye on the road.

“Please Gerard, we need to leave.” I helped Gerard up off the ground, leaving Mikey’s body to rest in his own blood.

“Thank you” I whispered into his ear before turning with him into the depth of the overgrown garden.

“I love you Mikey” Gerard whispered as he looked at his brother one last time.

---

It had been a week since Mikey had died and it’s been a week since Gerard has spoken to me. The silence echoed through the building we were lying in. Only the rain was keeping me sane. I watched out over the city that glowed like thousands of fireflies reminding me of the camping trips we used to go on. My heart jolted at every sound, every movement, every passing car, and every creak of the building. We both know we’re being followed. I have the wounds to prove it. Yet we must continue. For her.

I moved away from the window and more into the depths of the building, towards the soundless glow at the end. As I edged closer, I found Gerard curled up in a ball, trying to encase any warmth. I sighed at his weary sight before placing myself opposite him. Our sweet honeymoon period has come to a horrid stop. Maybe it’s just not meant to be. It would have never of worked. Yet he is weak and I have to look after him, not matter what’s happens. I can’t leave him alone now. I clutched my tummy as it loudly grumble causing a sudden stir from Gerard.

“Shall I make some food?” I suggested, pulling over a bag the contained some tins. Gerard tiredly looked at me before nodding his face. Still no voice from him. I pulled out the last battered can of beans and placed it in a crook of the fire. A slight sizzle broke out forcing an eerie silence. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stand this anymore.

“You’ve got to start talking to me Gerard. I need you. I’m sorry for what I did but if I didn’t, we would probably be behind bars. Please Gerard, help me. Help me for him.” I stared him as he watched the fire dance around the tin. He quickly glanced at me before turning over to face away from me. I sighed and started stirring the beans as my eyes started to water up.


That night I dreamt of them. Everyone that I loved. As hard as I could, I couldn’t reach them. My arms were bounded together, tightening at my every move. It made me realise how hopeless I am. Not matter how hard I try, I might never be able to save them. I’ve already lost three of them and I could lose another if I don’t find them. The world is truly messed up. It’s too late to turn back now. We will never be perfect. Too many people like to see others suffer. But we can fantasise about a world where we are all happy.

I woke up to someone shaking me. Gerard leaned over me, clutching my mouth to stop me speaking. Once he saw me awake, he place his finger over his chapped lips before pointing to the door. Voices echoed from behind it. Slowly I stood up and grabbed anything I could before following Gerard to the fire escape.

“Be careful, it’s slippery” Gerard whispered as he stepped onto it leaving me shell shocked. He spoke. I stared at him in amaze. He's okay.

“Quick, they’re coming” Gerard whispered again, popping his head up from the fire escape. I snapped out of my trance and began descending down the ladders. I carefully place my foot on each step knowing if I didn’t, it would be my last step.

“They’re not here” someone shouted from above causing to suddenly come to a halt. I peered down to see Gerard peeking round the window to see if it was clear. His hands were placed ready on the gun that seeped out his pocket. His head turned slightly to make sure I was behind him before beckoning me over. The only thing in between us; a window.

“I’ll have a look on the street” another voice called out, this time next to us. I cupped my mouth with my hand as a figure looked out the window in between me and Gerard. He reeked of pig and beer which made me want to puke. No matter how much he stank, if either of us made a move, game over.
“NOTHING!” the man shouted causing me to jump. He looked out one last time before taking his stank with him. I peered around the window to see the vile creature walk away causing me to sigh with relief.

“That was close” I mouthed to Gerard as he started he way down again. Yet somehow I don’t think it is. We are not safe yet.

---

“Jade, erm, I need to tell you something” Gerard said once we were safe in the woods. The ground felt soft under my feet while rain damped my skin. These types of forests make me feel safe. The ones where the rain makes everything look pretty and almost magical. I slowed down my steady pace to let Gerard catch up.

“What is it?” I questioned. My hand fell on the damn bark as I tried to regain my breath which was mimicked by the cold air.

“They didn’t take the folder, I did” he said, pulling out a slightly wet folder from his coat. The rain had soaked his hair right to his skin causing it to look like tiny bits of rope being threaded. His hazel light eyes were just managed to be seen as he looked at the mossy carpet of the forest. I watched as he pushed it in front of him and how his arm began to shake. In the years I’ve known him, not once have I seen him this scared.

“Please read it when I’m not near because you will hate me after but you should have it. You deserve to be happy. Because like you said, this wasn’t part of your plan.” I snatch the folder out from his hand and carefully hid in my pocket. Even my final course work for my degree got this much protection that I’m going to give the folder holding all secrets.

“Thanks” I replied, wiping my muddy hands on my jeans. Another silence fell over us as a gust of wind pushed past us. He nodded back to me and started back along the mossy path. I let my eyes go out of focus as I watched him go further away from me. I wish I could tell him he’s my new plan.

Notes

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
I hope you guys have a lovely christmas and a happy new year.
I won't update again until after the new year if thats okay.
Please speak to me guys so I know if you're enjoying Fake Your Death. I know some of you might be annoyed at my hiatus but I will try my best in the new year.
Question: What are you guys hoping for christmas?
I've asked for some album and the how i met your mother boxset and for my birthday (which is on christmas :P) I've asked for a camera.

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Until next time
-Megan xx