~ Fourteen - Season III ~

As they slowly stepped away from the scene of commotion, my world stopped.

My heart slowed down - stopped, even - as I saw the corpse on the ground. James and Mother called out my name from behind. But the noise around me was muffled as my ears rang. All I could hear was the slow beating of my heart and my rasped breath.

Finally, I fell to my knees. “NO!!!” I screamed until my lungs gave in.

Lady was lifeless on the ground. Her eyes and mouth hung open as she was laid on her side. I reached out to her body as my tears fell. As soon as my hand landed on her body, it confirmed my fear.

She was truly dead.

“Lady…” I sobbed as I crawled closer to her. I carried her head in my arms and put it near to my heart. “No, please…”

James sat beside me and put his hands on my shoulders. In an effort to console me, he lightly squeezed my shoulders.

“Lady, please, don’t,” I whispered to her ear, helplessly hoping that she would reawaken with my voice. A hand then rubbed my back as I pleaded wit