TIFFIN 3

10

I'd felt the worst pain in my life. 

The pain didn't even match up to when I had found out about the sex tape. This was worse somehow. Hero and I had been connected and made vows I never thought we'd break. 

I screamed into harsh sobs as I fell on the slanted rock, gripping the hard surface.

My tears were free-falling, creating a large puddle. I then curled into a tight ball, coming to terms with my future. 

"What did I do wrong?" I whispered to myself. "I loved you... I loved you.... I still love you..."

Why was I saying this? Did I really hope that he could hear me and would come bounding back? 

I didn't believe that would happen. He'd sounded so absolute this time. Could this have been revenge for me leaving him the first time?

If so... it was so underhanded. How could he betray me like this?

I remained on the rock for some time. I couldn't force myself to leave. I still felt like Hero was a part of me here.

This was where he escaped from his terrible childhood. This was the one place he never introduced to anyone else. 

I wasn't sure what I expected in turn, but I looked up at the orange sky. 

"Dorinda," I said under my breath. "Dorinda. You and I had a heart to heart before you passed. Was it all a lie that I was the one for your son?"

No answer. 

I closed my eyes, feeling the heat beat into my back. 

When I awoke again, it was dark. I could now see the starry night sky. It made me lose my breath. It reminded me of him.

I was about to turn to talk to him but I remembered he was gone. Sitting up and wiping drool off my mouth, I recoiled into a ball. 

I had absolutely no desires anymore. 

During my sleep I hadn't noticed the calls that had come through on my phone. Fifty. My God.

They were all from my parents and friends. I'd really been here for hours.

Despite this, I refused to call any one. I still needed space. I couldn't deal with It right now. 

Unfortunately for me, however, I heard a rustle and a few crunches of gravel from behind me. I soon saw a few police officers with their flashlights on me. 

Fuck. 

"Mrs. Tiffin," one began, "we've been looking everywhere for you. There's a bolo for your return." 

"Why?" I snapped, aware of my sharp tone. "I'm a grown woman, aren't I?" 

"Your family assumed you were missing." The cop went on. "Haven't seen you for hours. Now if you'll come with us."

Did that mean that Evelyn hadn't notified them? What gives? 

I swatted at the cops arm, walking past him. 

"I can walk on my own." 

"Shall we give you a ride?" Another young cop asked. "We didn't see a car in the drive."

I stilled at this. Oh. That was right. We drove here in Hero's car.

"I guess." I shrugged. "Please take me to my residence- I don't want to deal with people right now."

The cop cleared his throat awkwardly. 

"I must insist for you to at least come to the station so you can make a statement."

Like a zombie, I complied, walking with them to their cruisers. What more could I do? I didn't have much more to live for.

I would deal with this escapade and go on my way. I wouldn't be running this company on my own.

I would leave... Perhaps travel away and attempt to find Hero. 

As we finally left the lot, I opened my phone, eyeing my old screensaver: Us. 

I squeezed it in my hands, dying inside once more.