Avery the Immortal: Part Two (special preview)

“It wouldn’t have mattered if they had done it, but you?” Avery yells at me.

I go to stand up but a cold sensation runs up through my body. I don’t know what it is, but I am overwhelmed by dread and fear. I look up at Avery, my jaw dropped and eyes unnerved. His expression shifts ever so slightly and then the world lights on fire.

The jeep is toppled, tossed like a sheet in the wind. Everything is loud and yet silent all at the same time, yet it is all pure chaos. I lay there, having been thrown by the force of the explosion. My body felt strange and limp, I might be dying, I might be in shock. I guess it is one of those things I will find out sooner rather than later.

Across from me I can see Avery. He stands up, pushing something heavy from on top of him. I can’t quite tell what it is, maybe it’s a bag, but it’s bleeding. Maybe it’s lunch, although, it looks too thick and heavy to be that. It’s bleeding still, staining the ground and melting into the puddles around it. Is it human? It’s dead. 

Avery stands, lurching forward. His gate is staggered and it looks like his leg is hurt. He looks around, bewildered and wide eyed as the world around us is ending. I want to be near him so bad, I need to. I’m so scared, I need Avery. Why did I destroy his journal? Why was I so cruel? I didn’t need to be afraid of Avery because he was the only thing keeping me sane. I am horrible, I don’t deserve to be forgiven, but all I want is to be with him.

Dust and smoke flow between us, but as it clears Avery is looking directly at me. A smile spreads across his beautiful face and he starts towards me. For the smallest of moments, I feel relief. I cry out excitedly as he runs towards me. He then surges forward and a red rose blooms on his throat. He staggers to his knees as the red blossoms spill down his chest and stomach. He falls to the ground, his face in the mud. 

“No,” I whisper. “No. Please no.” I start to crawl forward, pulling myself with my arms towards him. “No! God! Please! Not him!”