Twenty-Two

I sat with Miles, willing him to be OK. I knew that what Popkins was saying about him being paralysed forever was true by the way he kept looking at him and shaking his head sadly, but somewhere in my mind, I needed to believe it was all a nightmare. 

He opened his eyes, moaning in pain. Popkins muttered a quick spell and flicked his wand towards Miles. The groaning stopped straight away, and the colour in his cheeks came back. I brushed his hair away from his head so I could see him better.

"Hey you. How are you feeling?"

He frowned, turning his head every direction to have a look around. I didn't know what he was looking for. He was agitated.

"I feel... I'm not sure. Weird, I guess. Everything's a blur. One minute I was trying to help you and then...then everything went black."

I nodded, laying my hand on his chest.

"Matthew is dead. Popkins killed him."

Popkins nodded, guiltily. I chanced a look at Mel who was still stood over her Father's body. I couldn't tell what she was feeling. Her face was a mask. Maisie floated at Mel's shoulder, clearly not wanting to leave her side.

"Yes. As an Emerald, you have to take a vow in front of our Mayor, Kitty Harris, that you will never use your wand to kill another person of any generation. It was the first time I've ever killed someone." I wanted to give the kind wizard a cuddle. He looked traumatised and his hands were shaking. "I hope I can be excused just this once."

Miles tried to sit up. I helped him, propping his arm over my shoulder while Jamie did the same on the other side.

I could see Miles trying to work out what was wrong. His nose was crinkled in confusion and he looked about him once more.

"Something feels weird.... I ....I don't know what it is....did I bump my head?"

My heart sank for him. Popkins and Jamie both met my eyes and I knew without them saying a word that they wanted me to tell him.

"Actually, you did bump your head. In fact, your whole body took a hit, it was brutal. Are you in any pain?"

He shook his head, then locked eyes with me. At least I could be reassured for now that he wasn't hurting.

"Miles, I... I don't know how to say this. Everything happened so fast, I didn't know how to stop it."

Some part of me believed that he already knew. He looked down at his legs, then back at me.

"It would seem that because you were hurt so bad, you...erm....your...." I looked from Popkins to Jamie. They both looked at the floor. Miles was still staring at me, waiting for me to finish. "I'm so sorry darling, but we have good reason to believe you are paralysed. Your spine has been injured pretty bad. Matthew really did a number on you. Miles... I.... I don't know what to say."

Miles didn't look shocked at my words. He looked down at his legs once more and I wondered if he were trying to move them. After a long silence, he shrugged and to my complete surprise, smiled.

"Not to worry. It's a good job we know a wizard then, isn't it?"

He sounded certain. Certain and hopeful. Popkins shook his head, his eyes kind as he spoke to Miles.

"I'm sorry buddy. There's nothing I can do. I can't reverse this type of injury."

Miles laughed. Jamie and I looked across at each other, nervously.

"So you're telling me that's it? That I'll never walk again?"

Popkins nodded sadly. I kept silent. What could I say? There was nothing that was going to make him feel better. Miles tried to push Jamie and I away, but I kept my arms around him. Eventually, he collapsed on me, hugging me so tight I could barely breathe. Jamie gave me a little nod and walked away, giving us some space.

I could see Popkins swishing his wand every so often as Jamie watched on. Eventually, a wheelchair appeared in front of them. My shoulder was wet with Miles's tears. I pulled away from him a bit, taking him in.

"I know that you need time to get your head around this. But the authorities are going to be here any minute. We've tackled Matthew, I'm hoping we can get the authorities to listen now."

He scoffed.

"What makes you think they are going to listen? We're in a worse position than before. We've just killed one of their Mayors, I can't imagine they are going to be thrilled."

"I completely agree. But we have to try. And if we get through this, I will do everything in my power to help you walk again. I know Popkins is saying it can't be reversed, but I don't believe it." I ruffled his hair fondly, looking into his blue eyes. I was very afraid that I wouldn't be seeing his dimpled smile for quite some time. I couldn't even begin to imagine how he felt. "Why did you do it Miles? Why did you try and save me?"

He shrugged lightly, and sighed.

"I'd rather this than the alternative. The thought of the generations, any of them....not having a Cassie in is just too awful."

Tears filled my eyes as I held his hands.

"But...but now look. You're injured and there is nothing I can do. I can't ever repay you for saving me. If we do make it through, you'll hate me. You'll resent me for inflicting this injury on you."

He leaned close to me.

"I would do it a thousand times over. And you know I could never hate you. It's the opposite. Every minute I spend with you just makes me more sure that... " He leaned closer still, I could feel his breath on my cheek. It felt like when Jamie would lean in, ready to kiss me and it suddenly made me wonder if that were his intention. Miles reluctantly pulled away and shook his head slightly. "I guess nobody will ever want me now. Not like this."

I hit him on the arm, not failing to notice the pained look Jamie was giving us. I knew he had seen everything.

"Don't talk like that. One day, some girl is going to come into your life and love you, every bit of you. What? You think that all of a sudden, just because your legs aren't working that you are different? That nobody will like you? Miles, you're gorgeous you know."

He gave a soft snort, then nodded towards Jamie.

"I'm just not Jamie, right?"

I nodded slowly, looking at the dark haired, brooding Sapphire who always made my heart skip a beat.

"I'm sorry."

He shrugged again.

"Don't be. The heart knows what it wants. Nothing can change that." He made me jump by whistling loudly. "Hey! Popkins, Jamie....bring my new wheels over here. I at least want to be comfortable if I can't use my legs."

They obliged and quickly ran over, Popkins lifting Miles up easily and placing him in the chair. It had big wheels so Miles could wheel himself. He and the wizard wheeled away, leaving Jamie and I together. I patted the step where Miles had just been, indicating he should sit down.

Our shoulders touched as we looked out to the distance. Maisie and Mel were still in the same spot, looking at Matthews body on the ground.

"That conversation you were having with Miles looked intense. How's he taking it?"

"He's taking it surprisingly well." I paused, feeling like I needed to let something out. "Jamie... I.... I never told you....Miles likes me."

He nodded, a small smile on his face.

"I figured."

I took his hand, linking our fingers together.

"I should have told you sooner."

Jamie stroked my hand with his thumb. Just sitting here with him made me feel relaxed.

"It's OK Cassie. I knew it. It's obvious. Plus, I think he's proved his feelings by running straight at a mad man to save you. He's going to have to live with his injuries for life."

I closed my eyes briefly, hating the position Miles was now in.

"I know. And I will feel guilty about it forever. You ran too. You tried to save me as well."

"Does it matter?"

I sighed deeply, not knowing how to express how I felt.

"Jamie, the fact that Miles has just risked his life for me blows my mind. His injuries will make me feel guilty for as long as I live. But the most important thing to tell you is that I am so madly in love with you it hurts. I haven't been treating you very well so far."

He turned now to look at me, his eyes full of love, full of sympathy.

"Cassie, don't be so hard on yourself. It's...."

"No. No, please. Don't try to make me feel better. I don't express myself very well. I love you. I really love you Jamie. But I keep running away. I keep finding ways to create a distance between us. You gave up everything to help me and I have to say it before the authorities come. I have to tell you what you mean to me in case I never get the chance again. I really like Miles, he's part of our group now. But what he did today, it doesn't change anything. I love you. I don't tell you enough but I really do Jamie. And the thought of losing you is unbearable. I have to die first. If somebody tries to kill me, don't stop them. Because I don't want to know a world without you."

I gasped as he swung me on to his lap, and wrapped me in his arms, kissing me hard. I couldn't stop the tears sliding down my face. The emotions were for everything. Miles, the authorities, what I felt for Jamie. Just everything. I raised an eyebrow as he pulled back, a grin on his face.

"You are so dramatic. As if I'd let them kill you first."

"But...but...."

He cut off my protests with another kiss.

"Look, what you just said to me means everything. If we do die today, that speech was perfect. And you know I feel the same, beautiful girl."

I breathed him in as he stroked my hair. I didn't want this moment to end. He stood up and set me on the floor, gently.

"We better go and speak to Mel."

I nodded in agreement.

When we reached her, Maisie flew off towards Miles and Popkins. Popkins kept staring at Mel, a worried look on his face. I wanted to tell him it would be OK, but looking at Mel's face, I wasn't so sure.

Jamie went to one side of Mel and I went to the other. Both of us envoloped her in a hug. I decided to speak first.

"I'm so sorry Mel. I know you must be so confused with everything. First losing Drew and then finding out about your Mum. And now...now this."

She nodded, her eyes never leaving her father. I couldn't look at him. He scared me even in death. I looked at my shoes instead.

"I know he was bad. I know he tried to kill you Cassie, and he was no doubt going to kill us all before the authorities even got here, but... But he was my family. I don't know how to process it."

I hugged her tighter, not knowing what to say. Luckily, Jamie took over.

"But what is family though Mel? Is it enough to say you are family just by blood? Or is it the people who look out for you? Take Drew for example, he's your brother through and through. By blood and by loyalty. But darling, so am I. I'm you're annoying older brother who thinks you are irritating but will always have your back. Cassie is your best friend who is also a sister. Miles is an annoying distant cousin, and Maisie is our guardian floating angel. We are your family. And Popkins, Popkins is a wonderful wizard who would never dream of hurting you. Popkins is the man who is in love with you. He's the guy that will always feel guilty for killing Matthew and is over there right now wondering if you will ever forgive him. And I know it's not my place to say, but I think you should. After all, he didn't kill your real family. He killed an ice cold stranger who set out to harm us."

Mel sniffed, and shook herself, trying to get herself together.

"I love him. I love that goofy wizard."

I grinned, squeezing her.

"Then go and tell him."

She nodded, before one last look at Matthew then running off to Popkins, Miles and Maisie.

I looked at Jamie in awe, sneaking my arm around his waist.

"That was an impressive speech. You're amazing."

He shrugged easily, then pulled me to him, kissing me deeply once more. I wanted to forget about everything that had happened and forget about the fact the authorities were about to come for us. I wanted to go in to Jamies beautiful log cabin, and be with him for hours. I wanted to relive our special night over and over again. I wanted to be a normal couple who couldn't get enough of each other. I wanted him.

But as a familiar flash of white, blinding light over took my vision and made me nearly lose balance, making Jamie hold on to me tighter, I knew things wouldn't be normal. They could never be normal.

As Miles, Popkins, Mel and Masie joined Jamie and I, staring in horror at the dozens of official looking authorities surrounding us, I knew that wanting Jamie was the least of my worries.

I bit my lip hard as in complete unison, the authorities all around us took the guns out from their belts and pointed them at our heads.

As Dianne Cash, the woman who was head of the authorities and the host of graduation day walked through the crowd, beaming manically, I knew that being with Jamie might never be an option again.