66Hello everybody! Here we are with the 8th and FINAL chapter for this story. I never thought I'd see this day come, I always believed I would've probably just forget about this story and move on. Well, whatever. To all of you guys who stuck around from the very beginning, thank you all so much for following me through this short journey. Whether you just randomly scrolled down and found this story on Fanfiction, or you read the one chapter I posted on Wattpad which brought you over to this website. Thank you all.
I hope you enjoy. If not...
Fuck you.
Oh! And before we start. I would like to give a special shout out to 'the' homeboy 378PRUSSIAMAN for literally making every review he's ever written make my day like no other has. You're the man brother! Even in the most serious moments you review the most funniest shit I have ever read in any of my story's. Thank you so much for being a hilarious and amazing reviewer.
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Lightning struck above the island, the sound waves boomed through hundreds of miles in every direction. Bazza, Elliott, and Stylosa chased after Brad after seeing the devastating emotional condition Shen was left in. This storm came into play just minutes out of nowhere and it didn't make it any easier on tracking Brad down. The three of them walked through the forest with much space between them to cover more ground, but not far enough to lose each other in this storm. To Bazza's right, he heard the yells of Stylosa and Elliot echoing throughout the island calling Brad's name before he joined in as well.
"BRAAAD!" Bazza shouted walking through cold, destructive storm.
Bazza gritted his teeth and clenched his fist in frustration and anger. "Goddammit Brad." He hissed before yelling his name once more as he kept marching through the forest.
He was pissed on what Brad just did... but, then again, he couldn't blame him. Neither he or anyone else was there when they needed him the most. All they did was try to get Shen and Brad together this entire time that they didn't notice the amount of pressure Brad was in. Maybe they should've let the two come to terms with each other without them interfering, knowing that it would take maybe another month to a year for them to actually come out with it. But shit, here they came and moved pieces that were not meant to be moved in the first place, and now Shen and Brad were paying the price for it. If only he could just get to Brad, to finally help him like friends were suppose to ever since, to sit down and talk about it for hours on end, hearing them vent what they're feeling, the fears of it, but the joy that came with it as well. Just one chance, one chance was all he ask to help fix everything...
and it seemed that his wish was granted.
Bazz heard a sharp cry of pain echoing just ahead of him. His eyes slightly widened in realization on who it was, I mean, who else would be out in this weather, plus on an island reserved for them.
"Brad." He muttered in concern and joy. Concerned for his friends condition, and joy for actually being able to find him. Bazza turned his gaze towards the direction Stylosa and Elliot were at before shouting loud enough for the two to hear. "GUYS, HE'S OVER HERE!"
The moment he finished his last word, he bolted towards the direction the screams were coming from, not even bothering to see if Elliott or Stylosa heard him or not. He pushed through branches and hopped over logs and rocks trying his best to not lose the location the scream came from. After what felt like an hour of constant sprinting, he came up to a small opening slightly out of breath, and there standing still like a statue facing away from him was Brad. He literally looked like he was being constantly dipped into a pool from the way his clothes and hair poured out endless water.
Bazza inwardly sighed before taking slow steps towards him. "Brad." He spoke as he approached.
Brad quickly turned around in surprise, not expecting someone to actually find him. "Bazza?! W-What are you-"
"Brad, come on." He spoke as he continued to approach him, however he noticed that every step he took, Brad took one step back. "I know you feel like shit right now, and im sorry, but if you come back with me to the cabins we can talk about i-"
"No!" Brad cut him off raising his voice. "No! I'm not going back there!"
"Brad come o-"
"Stay away from me!" He shouted before quickly bolting out of there.
"BRAD!" He shouted before pursuing his fleeing friend once more, this time on his tail.
"Fuck off Bazza! Just leave me alone!" He cried. "I wanna be alone!"
Bazz gritted his teeth. "I won't do that! Not now, not ever!" He continued the chase, not allowing Brad get anymore distance between them.
It seemed like an hour of constant running and shouting words back at one another with repetitive lines being said a few times along with the all too familiar slaps of wet leaves smacking against their cold, wet bodies. The exploding sound of thunder engulfed their very form from time to time, and the quick flashes of lightning flashed around them, allowing the two to get a quick, clear view of their surroundings for less than a second. Just then, an all too powerful electrical bolt struck a large tree just a short distance ahead of them. Bazza noticed this, but it seemed like Brad didn't, because the moment the lightning made contact to the tree, he heard an all too familiar creaking sound of the large plant toppling over, just above a sprinting Brad.
Bazza's eyes widened before screaming. "Brad, watch out!"
*Crash*
"Shit!" Bazza cursed as he arrived at the fallen over tree. "Brad! Brad are you alright?!" He frantically examined the area, hoping to find any small sign of his friend.
Just then, he saw Brad slowly stood up from the other side slightly shaky before looking back at the tree that almost squashed him. Brad took a quick glimpse at him before turning and bolting away once more.
"Brad?" Bazz called, but his words were deaf in Brad's ear. "Brad!" He shouted before seeing his friend disappear once more into the leaves. He cursed under his breath before dashing to the left to get around the tree. It was covered with thick amounts of leaves and branches too big to get over, it would be faster to go around than struggle to go over it.
Brad ignored Bazza's scream and continued ahead on another long run. He had to get away from everyone, or at least, that's what he kept repeating in his head after he grieved over the words he said to Shen. From what Brad feels, being away from everyone was for the best right now. There's no telling how much he's angered everyone, nor having the idea of ever fixing something this damaging just enough so they can forgive him. Yes, running away from it all... was probably his best option.
He slowly came to a halt before slouching forward, putting his palms on his knees as he took long, deep breaths to calm his heavily beating chest. "Goddammit." He wheezed in an emotionally hurt tone "God fucking dammit! ...why am I always running?"
He fell on his rear, the small puddle of mud squishing a bit when his butt made contact with its goopy substance. He didn't care about anything at the moment, nothing at all. In fact, he could literally say screw everything, screw the rain, the wind, the thunder, lightning. Hell, screw this entire fucking island. Maybe he shouldn't have come... maybe he should've just stayed home and let everything be how they always been.
"Heh, too late for that now." He muttered as he stood on his two feet once more. He continued forward, but instead of running, he decided to just walk.
Just then, somehow despite all the loud noises going on around him. All of the booming, the cracking, and the sound of thousands upon thousands of water droplets smashing against the ground. He heard a wet, rushing sound of footsteps rapidly getting closer and closer from his right. He looked at that direction for a split second before he felt someone literally tackle him to the ground. The ground was slippery with mud, so the moment they touched the ground the two slid across the floor rolling over one another. They landed on a pair of bushes that couldn't support the two's weight, so they went right through it and unfortunately began rolling down a steep grass covered hill before coming to a stop at the bottom covered in mud.
Brad groaned and slowly began to push himself off the ground. As he did so, he looked at the person that tackled him out of nowhere, trying to see who it was. But the moment he did, the person was already on his feet walking over to him before smashing his foot against face, causing him to fall over on his back.
"Will you stop running now Brad?"
Brad coughed before realizing who it was. "Just leave me alone Bazz."
"Why?" He questioned. "So I can let you walk away like this? Moping around to no end? Why should I leave you alone? Tell me fucking why?" He paced back and fourth watching Brad get up. "I'm not going to let you do that! What you're doing right now is bullshit and you know it!"
"Shut the hell up!" He shouted before tackling Bazz to the floor. Brad managed to get Bazz under him before throwing punches at his face, which Bazz either blocked or was unable to do anything as it hit him.
"You don't know shit!" He continued to throw punches. "You don't know what I'm going through right now! So stop acting like you do!"
Bazza grabbed Brad's shirt that covered his collarbone after seeing that he left himself exposed. He yanked him down delivering a headbutt directly on his forehead, causing him to fall over. "Then tell me!" He yelled before repeating the same actions Brad gave to him and got on top of him before repeatedly striking him. "I even said on the fucking boat that we're always here if you needed us Brad." He threw another punch at Brad, connecting to his face.
Brad pushed one of Bazza's punches to the side before smashing his fist against his nose pushing him off. "What the hell am I suppose to say then?!" He struggled to get to his feet. By the time he did, Bazza was already on his feet as well. "I'm not going back Bazz! Leave me alone, please!"
"No." Bazza wiped his mouth which leaked a bit of blood. "I won't, not again."
Brad, in a mixture of sadness and rage growled in frustration before charging at Bazz once more. He threw his right fist which hit his arm before going for a punch to his gut. Bazza shoved his left hand away from him and threw his right fist which impacted against Brad's right lower armpit making him stumble a bit. He then grabbed onto his shirt before throwing him to the ground. Brad got back on his feet before Bazz could get on top of him and continued to trade punches with him. Knowing how close these two individuals are to each other, if someone saw how they were currently at each others throats this moment, they would literally not believe what was going on. The two yelled, shouted, and grunted after each hit they took or threw at the other. Bazza knew that no matter what, if he let himself fall to Brad, that everything would be lost. So no matter how much pain he was in, no matter how bad his muscles ached and begged him to stop, no matter how swollen he becomes. He won't let Brad take another step away from everyone.
He stood his ground and took whatever what was thrown at him. And at some point during it, Brad lost his footing and was left completely exposed. He took that chance and threw all of his strength into his right fist which swung and smashed against Brad's gut causing him to fall to the ground after getting the wind knocked out of him. Bazz wasted no time and got on top of him and proceeded to pounce on him endlessly. Every time Brad tried to hit or counter him he'd always reverse it on him just to keep him in place. After a bit, Brad lost all energy to even block and basically took every hit Bazz gave him without any resistance. Bazza fell over, laying next to a now defeated Brad as he let his body go limp after what felt like hours of fighting.
"B... Brad." Bazza heavily breathed. "It's okay... you don't have to run anymore."
Brad said nothing as he stared up into the raining sky. Bazza continued to talk, seeing that he wasn't going to reply anytime soon.
"I'm sorry I had to do that." He huffed. "I just don't want to lose you mate." He weakly turned his head to look at Brad. "Brad... please talk to me. Everything you were afraid to speak of and kept to yourself. You don't have to keep it to yourself anymore. ...I'm here."
Silence once again engulfed the two, the thunder and lightning had long then faded away leaving the clouds to pouring endless water upon the two. That was all Bazz heard. And then came the sound of silent sobs and whimpers he's never thought he'd hear coming from Brad.
"I-I..." He choked. "I-I fucking love her Bazz." He wheezed. "I love her."
Bazza continued to stare at Brad who was shaking in pure sadness yet joy for finally opening up. He let out a silent chuckle, smiling before he looked up at the dark, clouded sky. "Tell me all about her."
Back at the Cabins
Shen's tears has long been dried when Sean came to comfort her broken heart. Even if it did not feel one hundred percent better, she was at bit thankful she had such supportive friends in her life. She sat down on the living room couch, Neptune sitting right next to her with her hand over hers if she ever felt like breaking down again. Oasis sat next to Neptune fiddling with her fingers, hoping that everyone will come out of this as friends still, and Sean sat on another couch just across from the three girls. The three sat in a rather, uncomfortable silence as they all waited silently for Elliott, Stylosa, Bazz, and Brad to return.
If they did bring Brad back, then what would become of them? How would this play out? She doesn't want to get hurt, but she doesn't want Brad to be hurt as well. She stared out the window, her right palm resting on her chin as she stared blankly watching the water droplets hit the window.
"You, you think they're okay?" Oasis muttered, barely loud enough for all three to hear.
"They're alright." Sean assured in a soothing tone.. "Those four are tough nuts to crack. They'll make it back perfectly fine Oasis."
Silence once again enveloped the four in an endless wait through time. It seemed like an hour has passed by since then, an hour too long for anyone's comfort actually. An hour that soon made Sean begin to worry for the four, wondering if they got lost or hurt in the storm. And just when he was about to call it quits and search for them himself, the door flew open and in came a drenched Elliott and Stylosa.
The sudden action brought everyone's attention to the two. Sean immediately stood up, followed by Oasis who sighed in relief and threw herself upon Elliott who stumbled back a bit at her sudden hug. She didn't mind how wet he was at the moment, just glad that he and Sty were safe.
"Sty, Elliott." Sean began. "Good to see you two back here safe. Where's Brad and Bazz?"
Elliott looked away in shame while Stylosa answered. "We.. we don't know where they are. We heard Bazz said that he picked up a trail so we ran after him. But we couldn't see or hear as well, and he sort of disappeared as he chased Brad."
Neptune stood up before speaking with a slightly raised tone. "He what?!"
"...I'm sorry."
"We have to go after them. Who knows what'll happen if they don't find their way back!" She began making her way towards the front door.
"Neptune." Sean said as he tried to get in front of her but she pushed right pass him and continued forward. She just managed to get to the front door and slightly open it before it was forcefully shut, courtesy of Stylosa.
"You're not going out there in this weather." Sty began
"But they'll die if we do nothing!" She protested.
"There's no proof of that happening."
"Proof? They're in a fucking storm Sty! A storm! They don't have anything to keep them warm!"
"That may be true, but goddamn I won't let you step out there and join them!"
"I'll be fin-"
"This is not for your damn safety! It's for Bazz!"
Neptune said nothing but give a slight glare in response. "If they die out there... " She began. "It's your fucking fault." With that, she returned to the sofa next to Shen and sat back down anxiously thinking about Bazz and Brad.
Another twenty minutes or so passed. Small talk was spoken here and there as they waited and hoped that Bazz and Brad will come back safely. Shen continued to stare out the window, pondering about Brad and the words he said to her. Just then, she noticed that the rain was beginning to die down until it came to a stop. It was surely dark by now, and the faint glimmers of the moonlight could be seen as the clouds began to dissipate, thus, leaving a clear star filled sky. After a few more silent seconds staring out the window covered in water droplets, she stood up and made her way over to the coat racks that were nailed next to the front door so they could hang their jackets, sweaters, and various other items. She picked out her simple, dark blue sweater before putting it on.
"Where are you going Shen?" Elliott questioned as he noticed her approach to the exit.
Shen just finished slipping her hands through the sleeves of her sweater before replying. "It stopped raining, I'm... I'm gonna go and walk along the beach for a bit."
"I can come with." Sean stood up from the couch.
"No." Shen answered. "I mean, thank you for that offer... but, I want to be alone for now and just... think, ya know?"
Sean nodded before slowly sitting back down. "I understand. Don't be long Shen, I'm sure Brad and Bazz would be back shortly. The last thing we all want is to go on a search party for you as well."
Shen lightly smiled. "Don't worry, It won't end up like that."
She then proceeded to open the door. Her skin immediately felt the rushing of cool air engulfing her whole. She shut the door behind her and stared out into the green covered forest that surrounded the cabins before taking a deep breath. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her sweater before stepping off the porch, and slowly made her way into the forest as her figure slowly disappeared into the trees.
It was silent in the cabins once more. Almost half an hour or so has passed since Shen's departure, and the continuous ticking of the clock seemed to further drain everyone's patience on the arrival of Brad and Bazz.
"Maybe... we should go search for them." Oasis lightly spoke as she stared into her lap.
"No." Was the only answer coming from Sean.
"It's about to be 11:00 PM in about twenty minutes Sean! It's been too long!" Neptune shot back. "They should've been back an hour ago! Heck, not even an hour!"
"We're not going anywhere." Stylosa answered.
"Why the fuck not? And don't give me that bullshit where it's for Bazz, I could hardly care about me or what he thinks right now if he's missing!"
"Look, we're not going anywhere." Sean stated. "But tell you what. If they don't come back when it's nearly midnight, then we'll go search for them. Is that better?"
"Midnight?! That's more than an hour away! You expect me to wait until midnight?!"
Stylosa opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn't since Neptune continued yelling.
"I'm not waiting that long! Heck, I might as well go search for them myself!" She marched her way to the door, but before she could grab it Sty grabbed her shoulder.
"Neptune wai-"
"No!" She forcefully yanked herself free from Sty's grasp. "I'm sick of waiting!" She shouted. "I'm sick of sitting here and doing nothing when they're out there in gods know what condition they're in! I'm sick of worrying so much about him that it just bugs me to the core of his suppose charisma getting a hold of me and making me feel like this! I'm sick of having this fear that I'll never be able to see him again after this night. I'm just sick of it!"
Neptune shakily stood lightly panting after finishing her small rant. She leaned herself back on the wall before slowly letting herself slide down on her rear and pulled her knees up to her chest. "Please be okay." She silently cried into her knees.
Everyone stayed silent, as the only sound that could be heard was the silent sniffs Neptune let out as she tried to pull herself together. No one could make a move to comfort her, because as time continued to move, their hopes were also being diminished as they were coming closer and closer to the surreal reality they were all being pushed in. Their eyes were filled with sadness and worry, their hearts heavy for the suppose inevitable possibility of something gone wrong began to slowly creep into their thoughts, and the continuous discomfort of such despair began to make them slightly squirm from time to time, as if they were being drowned without their own knowledge of it.
As time and patience began to grow slim, their worries seemed to have finally been answered. There was a twist on the door knob followed by the sounds of creaking as the door opened gaining the eyes of all in the room. As it fully opened, in came Brad and Bazz, both having their arms over each other supporting each others weight after the incident they had with one another. The two's body were aching all over and Brad's right eye was a bit swollen, the same could be said for Bazz's left.
"Yo!" Bazz waved with a bright smile. "What's with the gloomy mood in here?"
Brad lightly scoffed with his own small smile. The next thing the two knew was the sound of everyone yelling the two's name in relief as they all got up to welcome the two back. Neptune threw herself on Bazz the moment he helped Brad lean on a nearby table.
"You idiot! Do you know how worried I was!"
Bazz chuckled before raising his hand to stroke Neptune's hair. "Sorry Nep, Brad and I just had a long talk."
"It's good to have you two back." Sean spoke as he gave a pat on the back to Bazz who lightly winced.
"Haha, careful there fella. I'm a bit sore, and so is Brad."
"Oh shake it off you wuss." He laughed before looking at Brad. "It's good to see you well Brad."
Brad's only response was a slight nod with a smile of his own. He then scanned the room, looking for a particular German girl but noticed the absence of her presence when he found no sight of her. "Where's Shen?" He spoke in a new found gentleness when he spoke her name.
The room grew quiet when they all remembered what happened that caused this in the first place.
"Well..." Elliot began. "She sort of, took off to the shore to be by herself for a bit. She said she was just going to have a walk."
Brad nodded as his gaze was now at the floor, wondering what he should now do after realizing his feelings for her. What should he do? Beg for her forgiveness? Tell her that he was an idiot for how he acted and the words he said to her? That they weren't the words he wanted to say?
"Bah, I'll think of something." Brad thought to himself, but one thing he knows for a fact is that he won't let her become distant to him or anyone else all because of what he caused.
He pushed himself off the table he was leaning on, but failed to stay on his feet from how sore his entire body felt.
"What're you doing Brad?" Stylosa questioned when he noticed the Australian struggle to stay on his two feet.
"Going to Shen, I need to tell her something I kept to myself for so long." He replied as he finally managed to stand on his two feet.
However, when he took his first step to the door, he lost his balance and was began stumbling a bit. Before he could fall, Sty caught him before pulling him on his two feet once more.
"Thanks." He huffed.
Bazz chuckled at the sight of Brad. "Sorry to tell you mate, but I don't think I'll be able to help support you all the way to the beach after the long walk we did coming back."
"You don't have to Bazz." Sean answered as he had Brad put an arm over his shoulder. "You've done enough, leave us with the rest."
Stylosa nodded, grabbing Brad's other arm and placing it over his shoulder. "Take it easy for now alright."
Bazz scoffed. "Well sorry to tell ya guys, but I'll be coming with. I wouldn't want to miss this."
Brad raised an eyebrow. "Who said any of you can listen to what I'm gonna say to Shen?."
"It's either that or we leave you crawling on your belly." Sean smirked.
Brad's eyes twitched realizing that he was being set up. "Fuck you guys."
Sean and Sty chuckled at his reaction.
"We're just messing with ya." Sean smiled before they headed to the door.
Elliott went over to assist Bazz to walk since he knew Bazz was in the same condition as Brad.
"It's fine Elliott." Neptune answered as she took a hold of Bazz. "I got him."
Elliott smiled as he nodded before heading to the door with Oasis on his tail.
"You sure you can carry someone like me?" Bazz gave a cheeky smile at Neptune who responded with a light punch to the shoulder.
"Ow, that hurt."
"Shut up and let me help you." She spoke as she took his arm and put it over her shoulder.
The two were the last ones to exit the cabins and lagged a bit behind everyone else.
"You know, we're going to lose them at this rate." Bazz informed.
Neptune didn't respond and continued at their own pace, even if it was a bit slower than the rest. Bazz grew concerned a bit for her since she would usually say something back to him.
"You alright Neptune?" He spoke looking down at her
Neptune sighed. "You know, I was really worried for you. But I'm glad you're alright." She finally spoke looking up at Bazz with a smile.
"Is that so?" He questioned. "Well, I'm sorry for worrying you." He smiled.
"You're a great friend ya know." She continued. "When I saw Brad come in a bit swollen, I was a bit happy knowing that he's got what he deserved for hurting Shen. ...but I couldn't help but admire that you brought him back after what he did. If it was me, I probably would've spat on his face."
Bazza chuckled. "Well, Brad should be glad it was me then."
The two fell into a silence as they stared ahead, not knowing what else to say.
"Hey Bazz." Neptune spoke.
Bazz turned down to look at Neptune once more. "Yes Neptu-"
The next thing he felt was her right hand grabbing a hold of his chin before bringing his face while his lips met hers. It lasted for about two to three seconds before she broke it off, leaving a surprised Bazz.
"...woah." He spoke in a daze.
Neptune avoided all eye contact with him as she kept her gaze straight ahead, her face red at the sudden action she did. "Don't tell anyone."
Bazz blinked a few times regaining his thoughts. He looked at Neptune one more time and closed his eyes before smiling as he now stared ahead. It seemed that time has passed rather quick, since they now caught up with everyone who stood just between the invisible line that separated the sandy shore and green covered forest.
They all spotted Shen sitting down on the dock across where the Benetti 11.11 floated with no source of life on it for a month.
"This is far enough." Brad spoke as he took his arms off of Sty and Sean.
"You sure Brad?" Sean questioned.
"Yeah, I got it. Thank you guys for helping me."
"You can repay the favor by ending this once and for all mate." Elliott crossed his arms with a light smile.
"Go get her Brad." Sty encouraged
Brad gave a nod of appreciation before taking his first few steps towards the dock, and must he say they were the hardest steps he's ever took in his entire existence. He now stood on the wooden planks of the dock, his light footsteps were masked by the sound of waves crashing upon the shoreline. Every step he took made his heart beat faster and faster. And it seemed as if for a second his life flashed through his very eyes, dozens and dozens of memory's with the girl that sat before him without her knowledge of his presence flew across his head as if he began reliving parts of his past. It was if he was now standing in the middle of an empty void as small images of enjoyable moments floated all around him.
It all dissipated when he had his fair amount of time gazing at the sights around him, and the now mix of blue and white colors of the bright moon shined upon the woman before him, giving her a knew definition of beauty only few in the world has ever managed to obtain. The sight made his heart skip a beat and his body and mind felt the need to destroy itself for hurting someone so elegant.
He clenched his fist until the tips of his fingers grew white before slowly relaxing them, a new found confidence emerging out of him as his body tingled with a rush of energy filling every small fragment on his being.
"Hey Shen." He finally spoke after what felt like hours of waiting.
Shen broke her gaze from the horizon and looked at Brad not looking a tad bit surprised which slightly bothered Brad.
"Brad?" She questioned.
"Yeah, it's me." He replied before gesturing to the empty space next to her. "May I?"
Shen looked at the empty space for a second before looking back at him. She gave him a light nod showing her approval.
Brad slowly approached the empty spot before sitting down. By this time, Shen finally noticed Brad's appearance.
"Oh my god." She lightly gasped. "What happened to you?" She placed two fingers under his chin and made him look at her.
She examined his wounds and noticed the small gashes around his face, as well as the slightly swollen eye he currently had.
"Ah, this?" He lightly smiled as he touched his face. "It's nothing, just a mark left by a friend that helped me come back to my senses."
"Oh, Brad." She sighed. "Why'd you have to do that?"
Brad's smile faded as he looked away. "Because I broke your heart." He softly replied.
Shen placed her hands on her lap as she looked down, remembering the pain she felt a few hours back "You know, Brad. I've been thinking that maybe it was all just a mistak-"
"No." He cut her off. "It wasn't a mistake you made. It was mine." He looked back at her. "I'm sorry I did that Shen. I really am. I just, I didn't know how to respond to such... a new experience in my life."
"What do you mean?" She questioned.
Brad lightly chuckled.. "Ya know, if ya asked me that before I came to a conclusion of what I was trying to understand about myself. I probably would've given you another false answer."
His feet dangled over the edge as he leaned back staring into the sky as if he was trying to figure out the hidden message it was giving him. But whatever it was, he knows he doesn't need it. He already had a lot of help from the people he loved, way more help than he could possibly ask for. It was time for him to stand on his own two feet and do things himself. He may have been a late bloomer, but he'll catch up to the rest in one sudden night, and tonight would be the night.
"I always told myself that it was just something that has yet to make complete sense, or that it was just an extremely enjoyable friendship between us. And now that I had a bit of help from Bazz, I finally came to understand what this feeling is trying to tell me."
He looked at Shen straight in the eye and grabbed that same strand of hair that covered her eye and gently set it behind her ear as his finger tips lightly grazed across her cheek. The lighting upon her couldn't make things more perfect.
"Shen... no. Vero. I think. No, I know to the bottom of my heart. I'm in love, and will forever be in love with you until whatever supernatural force out there knows when it'll end." He slowly began to lean closer to her, closing the gap between the two. "And I hope that day will never come." He softly spoke as their lips suddenly met at one sudden moment.
The tingling feeling in Brad's body seemed to take much more effect on him than before as it now raged like a billion of volts were shot through his bones. His beating chest now meeting its max speed and the warmness of it seemed to block out even the coolness of the sea, and he knew for a fact that Vero was feeling the same thing. But as all good things come, they all must come to an end.
He pulled away after about ten to fifteen seconds, his closed eyes slowly opening to capture the figure of the woman before him once more. And the sight before him made him slightly panic. Shen seemed to be crying as he saw two small tears slide down her cheeks.
"Vero, I'm sor-"
"It's fine you idiot." She laughed. "I'm just really happy is all."
"S-So you're not sad?" Brad questioned as he slowly calmed himself.
"No, I'm not." She laughed. "In fact, I'm a bit jealous."
Brad laughed at her response. But one line from her made his smile leave and in came a confused gaze. "Jealous? What for?"
Vero sighed before she stood up on her feet. "She's lucky to have someone like you ya know. Vero that is."
"Vero?" Brad raised an eyebrow as he stood up as well. "But you're Vero."
"Yeah, I am huh?" She smiled. "...but am I the Vero you know?"
Brad opened his mouth to say something, but his gaze was caught by sudden particles in the far away distance being ripped across the world around him before dissipating into nothingness. And those particles were beginning to come closer.
"What the fuck?" He raised an eyebrow before looking back at Shen.
Shen smiled, tears still pouring out of her eyes. "It's fine. I knew this day was going to come soon. I just didn't think I'd feel this attached when it came." As she spoke, Bazza, Neptune, Oasis, Elliott, Sean, and Stylosa all came forward and stood next to Shen.
"What?" Brad scoffed. "What are you talking about? You're making it sound like I'll never see you guys again." He laughed trying to have everyone join in and come back to their senses, but they all didn't make a sound but just smile blankly at him.
"You're right." Bazz laughed. "You'll see us again... just not the us you've met here."
"Oh come on Bazz." Brad pleaded. "Not you to."
"It's true." Sean nodded. "Don't worry Brad, we'll see you on the battlefield. Just stay behind my shield when I'll give one for you to use."
"You still haven't figured it out haven't you." Elliott sighed.
"Figured what out!" He yelled. "Oh, okay. I get it! You guys are trying to scare me after what I did with Shen. Well it worked okay! I'm shaking my shoes off, now please stop! Not to mention the world looks as if it's about to disappear!" He gestured around him at the dissipating particles that continued to grow closer.
"Listen Brad." Shen reasoned. "It seems that you're confused as shit right now so I'll break it down for you." She widened her arms and looked around. "This, all of this isn't real. This island isn't real."
"What do you mean it isn't real? This shit looks pretty real to me!" He bent over and cupped a bit of sea water before letting it fall.
"It does seem like it huh?" She smiled for a few seconds before it faded. "But it's not. Brad, you're dreaming okay."
"If I'm dreaming then why the hell do you guys have a mind of your own!" He countered. All of this was really screwing him over, he doesn't know what to do anymore. He was hurt, angry, sad, terrified, confused, he just wanted it all to end.
"I have no idea how that happened. But it did." Shen replied. "If it was good for us to have our own thoughts and feelings ourselves or not it doesn't matter. What's done is done. Our time is up, for you however, it's just begun."
The bridge broke in half, separating Brad from the island and everyone else as he floated away. He looked down in shock before looking up once more, terrified at what was happening right now.
"It's okay." Shen sadly smiled as tears continued to fall.
"We're going to miss ya buddy!" Elliott waved as tears threatened to spill. "Thank you for making us feel alive and real!"
"Bye, Bye!" Oasis tearfully waved.
"Looks like I won't be getting those loot boxes I won from you earlier!" Bazza sniffed as he wiped his eyes.
"Shut up Bazz." Neptune smiled before looking at Brad. "Farewell Brad."
Stylosa gave a small nod to Brad. "It was nice knowing you Brad. Stay well."
"Hurry up and get on out of here!" Sean cried as he tried to hold back tears. "Real men don't shed tears!"
Brad couldn't help but feel his own tears spill as well. He couldn't accept this, he finally healed Vero only to hurt everyone in return. He couldn't leave them all like this, he couldn't!
...but what could he do?
The disappearing world grew closer and closer and the island was now being torn apart from the inside out. He could see above the island the remnants of the wooden cabins as it disappeared into nothingness. He couldn't do anything but sit there and cry his heart out hoping that something, anything would help bring this nightmare to an end and have everyone go home happy.
"Brad!" Shen screamed gaining his attention. "I love you to!" She yelled from the deepest part of her heart.
"Guys." He sobbed before a faint smile formed on his face. He stood up and waved back at them all. "I'll miss all of you fuckers to!" A white portal appeared just behind him, sucking the half of the bridge he was on in it.
He didn't bother to look back because he wanted to see everyone's face before it all ceased to exist. The dissipating earth finally reached the dock tearing apart the Benetti 11.11 before it began to tear apart his friends one by one. The seven seemed to be saying their farewells to each other now for they turned to each other and hugged one another and spoke a few words he couldn't hear since he was out of hearing distance. He saw Sean and Stylosa fist bump each other before they dissipated, Oasis and Elliott hugging one another before they followed after the two, Bazz and Neptune seemed to lean into one another once more for one final kiss before they joined their friends in whatever was out there... if there even was an out there to begin. Shen was the only person who hadn't bothered to say farewell to everyone as she just stood motionless staring into Brad's distant eyes. Her arms began to tear apart, followed by her legs up to her body. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes before allowing the rest of her be taken without any resistance.
Brad let his arms fall to his side before finally turning around and waited to be sucked into the white portal that was literally inches away from him. When he wakes up, he wonders what he'll do. All of this just screwed him up once more on how this would turn out with him and Vero... will he love her as much as the Vero here?
Before he can think anymore on the matter, he felt a pair of arms wrap around his chest and someone lay their chin on his shoulders.
"Go get her Brad."
Those were the last words he heard before his world turned white, and all of time from his dream ceased to exist, never to be seen again.
Brad jumped up out of bed in a sudden startle as his alarm went off, he shut off the ringing alarm before noticing how wet his eyes felt. He wiped them with a balled fist only to realize that he's been crying, and that is when he remembered what happened. He gulped, feeling the need for water after waking up from what was a dream yet a nightmare combined in one. He sighed before grabbing his phone and looking at his phone, he received a few notifications since he was asleep, some being updates for a few apps he's using or cleaning his phone for any space that were being unused at the moment, or even a few twitter notifications. But there was one notification that caught his attention.
He clicked on it which sent him right into Youtube and began playing a sort of familiar music when it began. As the video played, he looked at the title of the video and read the words.
"100k stream."
Brad hummed remembering that today was the day Shen was about to hit 100k subs in the middle of November. He wondered to himself if he should join the stream and congratulate her for reaching this amount, even if it was nothing compared to hundreds of other Youtube Channels out there. He was about to reject the idea, but a familiar voice in his head made him think otherwise.
"Go get her Brad."
He gulped once more before getting up from his bed and headed to the kitchen to get a glass of water for his dry throat. After having his fill, he came back and sat on the chair in front of his computer before heading over to Chat where he saw Shen's name in an online group. He knew for a fact that she was in the middle of a stream, but he could hardly care less at the moment.
His mouse was set upon the button that would take him in her voice channel, and he knew that when he did click on it, there was no going back. He took a deep breath, before quietly speaking. "Here we go."
And then he clicked.
The End
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And, I am finished!
Hope you ALL enjoyed this story and this final chapter I brought to you all. If it was more than what you expected than that's good. If it wasn't... well sorry haha! But to be honest with you all... I actually had to stop a few times because I was like... literally tearing up at some of the lines I was writing. I couldn't do it and had to take a few breathers now and then. But now it's done! I hope you all enjoyed this story as I have enjoyed writing it!
I will miss you all! My deepest respects to all of you!
This is Animelover54321! And I am now signing off.
PEACE!