Page 123 of Kaine

“Jade?”

We all turn at the sound of Kaine’s voice, and I run up to the top of the bed, touching his forearm, careful to avoid his hands wrapped in bandages.

“Kaine, I’m here. I’m here,” struggling to keep my voice low.

“Are you... are you okay?” he asks, his lips barely moving under the oxygen masks.

My knees almost buckle with relief, at the sound of his voice. “Yes, God, Kaine, yes, I’m fine.”

“Good. I love you.”

“I love you too, I love you so much,” I say over my happy tears.

“Did I hear Xavier’s voice?”

“Yeah, man, I’m here,” Xavier replies.

“Okay. Xavier. I need you to do something for me”

“Whatever you need.”

“I need you to take Jade to my apartment to collect her things. And then I want you to take her home, her home. And I want you to make sure that she never, ever comes near me again.”

Xavier’s head snaps over to look at me as my mouth falls open.

“What? What are you saying? Kaine?” I ask him, reaching out to touch his face.

“You heard me. Go away. And I never, ever want to see you, Jade. Ever again.” I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

“Kaine!” I beg him.

“Xavier,” he says to his friend who doesn’t know what to do. “I’m going to tell you one last time, Jade Sinclair. I don’t want you in my life. I never did. So just go.”

“I’m not going! No, I’m not going!” Something must’ve happened to him in the fire, it’s the only explanation.

“Honey. You should. Just, let’s let him rest and we’ll come back later, okay? Come on,” Harriet says, patting me on the back.

“NO! You can’t make me go! KAINE!” I yell, not caring who can hear me. Just that he tells me this is all a mistake.

I see Xavier give Harriet a look, and she grabs one of my arms as he takes the other, and they drag me from the ward.

I struggle, but together they’re too strong and I’m still weak from the fire.

“NO!!!!! KAINE! Don’t do this! Why are you making me go! KAINE!” I scream, ignoring the people coming out to watch my scene in the hallway.

Xavier wraps his arms around me as I thrash and scream. Harriet hails down a passing cab and throws open the door when it stops in front of us. Xavier pushes me into the cab, and Harriet slides in next to me.

“Nooo, God no. Xavier, don’t make me go,” I beg as he watches me through the taxi window. He gives me a look I can’t decipher, and he leans over and gives the cab driver some instructions.

I’m spent by then, but the sobs still come in hard and fast, and I let Harriet pull me into her arms and hold me.

And wonder why it has come to be, after everything, that Kaine Ashley died for me today.