Enough

It's true what they say about your life flashing before your eyes as your heart begins to slow its pace. I just never thought I would see mine so soon. I was so young.

My childhood memories were filled with happiness. My parents were so good to me. So, how did this happen? How did I end up here?

Elementary school came and I saw Zack's face instantly. I forgot how cute he was as a child. Our first kiss zoomed by and then it was middle school.

And Zack was there again.

He really was always there for me even when we weren't friends. He loved me, he once said. He had been waiting for me since elementary school, he had said. How come I didn't see it sooner? He loved me before he even had a full concept of what love was.

He loved me.
He loved me.
He loved...

The memory changed again. I was complimenting Zack's Iron Maiden shirt and he looked proud as he told me about his new guitar. He was eager as he invited me to his house to watch him play.

Another memory and he was telling me how well he had learned play, completely self-taught too! He had even written a song and really wanted to start some sort of band.
Another memory and I was being introduced to Matt, Johnny, Brian and Jimmy.

Jimmy...

There was comfort in his name. At least I knew I would be seeing him soon. I'm coming, Jimmy, wait for me. Please, it would be such a delight to see a familiar face when I arrived. I'm coming, Jimmy.

I'm coming.
I'm coming.
I'm...

Another memory, and then another. And then it was prom night.

Zack and I stumbled into his bedroom. His lips were on mine and I was tugging at his clothes. He pushed me onto the bed and I pulled him down to me. There was a look on Zack's face and I remembered how it warmed me. He was the only person to ever look at me that way.

Time moved forward and Zack was laying in his bed beside me, a cigarette to his lips. Our prom clothes were scattered amongst the floor and I was seemingly asleep.

"Beks," he whispered.

"Hm?" I never even opened my eyes.

"I love you," he admitted.

A small smile on lips. "You're drunk."

The memory went away and was replaced with another but I could only think of the words Zack had said. I and love and you - those three words were there but I couldn't remember him saying them.

But if these were memories, then they had to have been true. He told me he loved me and I didn't remember it. Why didn't he say something?

More memories passed and I noticed the one thing they all had in common was Zack. He was there for every milestone, birthday and event in my life. He never missed a thing unless he was on tour and even then he still made everything special by sending flowers, gifts, or something amazing until he could come home and celebrate with me.

He really was my best friend and the love of my life. Why did it take me so long to realize that?

The memories from the last few months began to flash by. I never realized how happy my friends made me until this moment. They were all such great friends and I took our time together for granted. I didn't want to leave them. I loved all of them. They already had to bury one of their best friends and now they're going to have to bury me.

I'm so sorry.

Suddenly, I was in the doctor’s office, he was telling me I was going to be a mother. And Zack was going to be a father. I was so scared. I was so elated. Where did that feeling go?

Another memory and Jake was there and the barrel of the gun was there. His lips were moving but all I could think about was my unborn child.

I didn't want this to be my final memory. I wanted something happy. I never wanted any of this to happen.

I wished the memories would stop. I didn't want to relive this moment again. Time moved in slow motion and I closed my eyes, knowing the inevitable was coming. I wanted to go back. I wanted to go back to grade school with Zack. I wanted to go back to my Pinning Ceremony and change things then so I would never meet Jake. None of this would be happening if I had not met him.

I watched Jake pull the trigger and the bullet hit me in the abdomen.

"I love you, Zack" was my last conscious memory.

I was dying.
I was dying.
I was...

So try and love me while you can,
and take the time to understand.
As long as I can touch your face
you know I'll never leave this place,
if only in my mind.
[...]
Silence all I want to say,
and it seems to run away.
I'll run away with you tonight.
Launder all my sins away,
and just like that mistakes are made.
You know,
tonight the world dies.

Notes

The End!

Words cannot express the gratitude I hold for you all! Thank you for all the comments, the votes and subscriptions! I'm so glad you guys liked this story so much!

As of right now, there will not be a sequel but don't stop reading here though! Head over to the side story, Tonight the World Dies! It will have a chapter or two based AFTER this story so it's kinda sequel like so go read it!

Again, thank you so much for everything. You guys are so amazing!

Edit: Sequel out now! Titled "Learn to Live Another Day"

Title credit: Avenged Sevenfold "Tonight the World Dies"