Page 40 of Victorious: Part 2
My voice doesn’t sound like mine. Too hollow. Too broken.
We all gather around Bella’s bed. Ingrid is holding Louis, who has thankfully fallen asleep through all of this. Hurricane stands behind Ingrid’s chair like a protective guard. Bayou has his arm around Novah, who’s softly crying. Nash stands at the end like a sentinel. Lock takes a quiet place near the door, his presence steady but unobtrusive.
Just here.
Just supportive.
Each of them forms a shield around Bella.
If we stay close enough, surround her with love, maybe we can keep death at bay a little longer.
But death doesn’t listen.
Not even to love.
We found that out the hard way with Livvy.
Bella’s eyes move between all of us, fighting to stay present for these final moments.
But I don’t want her to keep fighting.
I don’t want her to hang on.
I don’t want her in any more pain.
Even if it kills me in the process.
So, I lean close to my sister’s ear, mustering all the strength I have inside me, and whisper, “We’re all here, Bells. All of us. Your family is here.”
Her eyes find mine, and I see so much in them. Love, gratitude, peace, and something that looks like a final goodbye. It breaks something deep inside me, watching her try to be strong even now.
Always the big sister.
Always the one looking after me.
Right to the end.
“I love you, my beautiful sister,” I whisper. “Thank you for everything. Thank you for being the best big sister a guy could ever ask for.”
Her eyes flutter, and for a moment I think she’s gone, but then they open again, and she looks at each person in the room. A silent roll call. An‘I love you’spoken in a way only Bella could say, without needing words.
When her gaze returns to me, I watch her lips try to move, though no sound comes out.
But I know what she’s saying.
I love you too.
Then her eyes close, and this time they don’t open again.
The air thickens.
Stills.
The silence isn’t just quiet, it’s a presence. It presses down on us like a weight we can’t see.
No one moves. No one breathes. Because somewhere, deep down, we’re all still waiting for one more miracle.
Just one more breath.
