Trails of Secrets

18. Memories

It had been a full day since the four returned to the old, abandoned house. 

Sara had tended to Annalise's wounds and she was already improving. Annalise still had cuts across her arms and scratches on her face, but thankfully, no serious wounds. The bruises looked worse than they had the day before, but they didn't hurt any worse. After walking around for a little bit, her leg had started to improve as well.  

After Chris had washed off any dirt or dried blood, he looked surprisingly well. Sara was thankful that he hadn't been seriously harmed. Now that everyone seemed to be alright, they all decided to discuss their next move. 

They gathered around the kitchen table and sat silently while they contemplated what they had just been through. 

Sara turned to Liam and Annalise. "You guys don't have to help me anymore. After what you've just been through, I don't blame you for wanting to leave."

Liam and Annalise looked at each other. Somehow, they both knew exactly what they should do.

At the same time, they both gave their answer.

"We will stay."

"We will leave."

Confused, they both sanpped their heads in the other's direction. "What?" whispered Annalise. "You want to stay? I thought that you would want to leave."

"And I thought you would want to stay," he answered softly. "She needs us."

Annalise narrowed her eyes and continued their quiet conversation. "You were right from the start, Liam. This is dangerous. It isn't just a mystery anymore."

"No, you were right about doing this in the first place, Annalise."

"It's not fun and games."

"I know."

Annalise turned to Sara. "I guess we are staying."

Sara smiled, and for once, she looked genuinely happy. Sadly, that happiness didn't last long. 

"We need to keep moving."

Everyone turned to face Chris. He raised his eyes to look at Sara softly. "We need to continue the search, Sara."

Sara closed her eyes. Annalise could see the pain written across her face. 

What was happening?

Sara took a deep breath. Then she slowly pulled a slip of paper out of her pocket. 

"You're right, Chris." 

She laid the paper out on the table for the others to see. Liam recognized it as the slip of paper he found behind the window frame. 

The message.

"Persephone. Who is that?" Annalise asked. 

Sara closed her eyes once again and fought back tears. "A... close friend."

Chris watched Sara carefully as she continued. He seemed just as curious as the other two.

"Persephone is...was my... best friend. We did everything together. Grew up together... that sort of thing. Of course, all good things come to an end." She paused for a breath and let a tear escape. Annalise could tell that she was trying to rush the story. "One day, Persephone... and her family... just left. The house was ransacked and destroyed. The belongings, torn apart and shattered. And... she never told me where she went." 

Another deep breath.

"I'm sure that something terrible happened to them. They were my- they were like family to me. And ever since I discovered that they were gone, I can't go back. I- I can't. It's too hard. Too many memories."

Annalise took the paper off the table and held it in her hands. "Your sister wants you to go to her house. She hid the next message there, didn't she?"

Sara nodded. Chris took her hand. 

"Sara, you know that I would go there for you if I could, but I don't know where your... friend's house is. You've never told me." He almost looked hurt. But not as hurt as Sara looked. "I couldn't, Chris. I couldn't risk the Collector finding it. It's too hard. It's just... too hard." She looked away. "I don't know if I can do this. I don't know if I can go there."

Liam and Annalise watched as Chris put his arms around Sara. 

"You don't have to go alone." 

                                                           ~~~

The four stood outside of a normal looking house. It wasn't dilapidated like the other house, but it also wasn't modern. The house was just.... ordinary. 

Sara took a deep breath.

And then another deep breath.

Suddenly, the breathing turned into quick, panicky breaths. 

"I don't think I can do this." 

After a few minutes, she seemed to have calmed down some and Sara took a few more steps towards the front door. She bent down and lifted a loose stone from the stepping stones that led to the front door. She pulled out a key and gave a hint of a smile. "Still there."

The key inserted into the lock with ease and the door flew open. 

As the four of them stepped into the house, they all took in their surroundings. Chairs were flipped over, pillows were demolished, glass shattered. Everything- it was destroyed. 

Sara fell to the floor, weeping, as the memories destroyed her.