I knew I wasn’t gonna make it out alive this time, but I thought that on my first deathbed. Maybe it didn’t hurt to fantasize what I’d do if I survived somehow.
Closing my eyes, I relaxed my body, and floated with the waves. Dreaming of a life with Gwendolyn. Having kids, a house, Emily smiling at her sister lovingly, and our robots that caused smiles and cursing surrounding us. I’d make more of an effort with the Hero Society. Hang out with Draco and the rest of the lot.
I’d marry Gwendolyn in a heartbeat. As soon as I took my breath back into living, I’d ask her to be mine. No more wasting time, because in the end we have a limited amount of that anyways.
My fingers started to tremor, and the rest of my body followed their lead. My head was throbbing in pain, and my lungs felt like they were becoming lead.
I wanted to just drown. End it quickly, but I had to make sure the job was done. That they were all safe.
Time passed as I nearly drowned from the vomiting, the tremors, and my muscles seizing up to where I couldn’t move.
Before my throat started to close, I uttered one last time to the wind with a shaky voice.
“I’m still lost in you.”
The deed was done, and I could finally let my head go under the water.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Gwendolyn
I woke up early to do some yoga while the apartment was quiet. Pops and Cora went about their normal morning routines while I stretched. Pops searched the news, and Cora was playing with her robotic mouse.
Today was going to be a good day, I could feel it. I texted Arthur, even though I’m sure he was still sleeping, to let him know that I loved him, and that I wanted to see him later. Lynn said before that she would love to help with Emily and was willing to watch her anytime Arthur and I wanted some time together. Maybe I could call in that favor tonight?
My body and mind felt fresh an hour later as I sat down with a cup of coffee and waited for Pops to give me the details from any good news. Everything was starting to get back into routine.
The clinking of Pops’s metal feet brought my attention to him as he sat on the table.
“What’s the news, Pops?” I chirped.
“Terratrex has confirmed their part in the water problem, but they are only being smacked with a million-dollar fine.”
Of course they were. No one going to jail or anything, just paying an amount that’s a pittance for them.
“Anything else?”
“First report from Seahill Fish and Wildlife this morning shows that the water is completely void of Pseudo‐nitzchia.”
The algae was gone?
“Completely void? It just disappeared?” Shock and confusion swarmed me. That didn’t seem right, even as much as I wished it to be true. A dreadful feeling settled in my stomach. Something wasn’t right.
Trying not to let panic overwhelm me, I grabbed my phone and called Phillip. It was probably nothing like what I was thinking, but I wanted to make sure.
“Gwendolyn,” he answered as soon as the first ring ended.
“Pops told me about the water, what happened? It just disappeared?” My voice might have risen a notch, but I just felt something awful inside me. The feeling was eating at me, and I didn’t know why.
“It’s gone, all of it. He saved us all.”
He?
He.
Phillip said he saved us all.
“Oh God.” My voice cracked, and my chest started hurting.
“Who, Phillip?” I didn’t want to make the assumptions my heart somehow already knew.
“I’m so sorry.” His voice mirrored mine; he felt the pain that was climbing up my skin like talons of a monster.
Shaking my head, I refused to understand what he was saying, even though the tears leaking from my eyes told me that deep down I was accepting the truth.
“Who is he, Phillip?”
I needed to hear it, I had to. Oh God.
“Arthur sacrificed himself to save us all—to save you. I’m so sorry.”
“Is he dead?” Please, by some miracle, say he isn’t dead. Please, please, please, please. I begged the universe for some mercy. I can’t lose him.
“Not yet, but he’s close. He went into the water and used his body as a filter. The water was cleaned, but his body took everything in and kept it. His organs are failing from the toxicity, and he is not responding to any available treatment.”
Anger flooded my body as I stood up and slammed my hand on my table.
“He’s alive? Why didn’t you call me? I’ll be at the hospital soon.” I didn’t wait to hear an answer. I hung up with him and called Lynn.
She showed up five minutes later to me pacing in my living room. All the metal decorations in my house were crumpled up like paper on my floor.
“Watch her for a bit, please. I’ll call when I can. Thank you.” Pops and Cora were with me, and I left in a hurry. Arthur wasn’t dying without me there; I didn’t care if he told everyone that I wasn’t allowed to see him like that. I would pull the fucking iron out of their bodies if they got in my way. Arthur was my world—I would be there for him, with him.
Thankfully, no one stopped me as I walked in and demanded that I be taken to him.
Phillip was talking with Esme by his door when I arrived.
Neither of them said anything to me as I used my powers to lift the metal handle and pushed the door back.
My legs lost their will to stand as my gaze fell upon his body, nearly lifeless, on the hospital bed. He had tubes hooked up to him everywhere, including one helping him breathe.
“No, no. Why did he do this?” I sobbed, my hand covering my mouth in disbelief.
“He did it to save you.” Phillip squatted down beside me and offered his hand for comfort. I jerked away. I didn’t want his; I wanted Arthur’s. He was my balm, my thunder jacket when I needed to be soothed. I needed him, and he gave his life for me.
I couldn’t stand on my own. My body was weak, seeing him like this. Eyes closed, glasses on the nightstand, and his tan skin had a gray sheen to it, like his pores were trying to expel the toxins within them. His body was giving up on him. I could feel my heart trying to talk to his, wanting to feel the love in his touch. That bond between us. But that bond had been cut, the code from my heart to his was silent.
“What is happening to him?” Phillip helped me walk over to his bed, where I sat and grabbed Arthur’s hand. It was still, like he was already dead. But I heard the beep of the machine telling me that was a lie.
“He’s in sepsis shock. His body is shutting down, unable to handle the amount of toxins flowing in his system. They’re trying to do everything they can. Even Dorian, Esme’s husband, is on the case. He is the best doctor in the world.” Phillip was trying to help ease my mind, but it wasn’t working. They weren’t doing enough.
“Esme!” I felt like the answer to my prayers was here.
“No, Gwendolyn. I’ve seen it, if she helps him. She dies. She can’t do as you want.” He shook his head.
I understood his words, and I knew he was right, but there had to be something. I couldn’t lose him. I just.
I just couldn’t lose him.
“He left this for you.” Phillip reached for an ivory envelope next to Arthur’s glasses.
With shaky hands, my fingers grasped the envelope, and I opened it, tears dropping onto the paper.