Fearful Love

Chapter 8 - The Truth

"That was-" Cole began.
"Amazing." I finished.
"Exactly." he grinned.
We pulled up to his house and found an empty driveway.
"Your Dad's still not back?" I wondered aloud.
"Nope. And he won't be for another hour. Don't worry, he knows that you are staying with us." Cole explained.
We stepped out of the car and walked inside. Together we set up a makeshift bed of blankets and pillows on the couch. We said goodnight and Cole walked down the hallway to his room.
I plopped onto the couch and snuggled deep into the blankets. As I fell asleep, I replayed the evening in my head.
He seemed perfect. Not in a supernatural or weird way, but a perfect for me way. I just wish I could be with him for longer.
I only had 11 days. Only 11 days left in Helena. Then back to Phoenix. What even awaited me? Mom and dad would be back and I'd have to tell them everything. The police would hopefully arrest the drug ring and Dave. And I wouldn't ever see Cole again. He would be gone, nothing but a memory.
I drifted off to sleep, my mind racing a mile a minute.

***

Cole and I were on the hill again, the stars looming above us. I had no worries. It was perfect.
"I love you, Shelly." he whispered, grabbing my hands.
"I love you too." I answered. We proceeded to kiss.
The scene dramatically changed with a whirl and I was scrubbing dishes with three small children tugging at my shirt.
"When will daddy be home?" one asked.
"What's for dinner?" another whined.
It was stressful, but I seemed happy. Then the door opened. And Cole stepped in. His face lit up when he saw my face. We hugged and kissed and the kids - our kids - were happy.
Another whoosh and I was in a dark alley. Sam, Cody, Bryan, and Zach were pushing me up to Cole and Dave.
"Cole, what have you done?" Dave cried.

***

I sat up abruptly and was met with early dawn light streaming through the window. My dream had been especially weird and I felt unsettled.
   They say your dreams are made from your innermost fears and dreams. That made sense...sort of. I want to be with Cole for as long as possible, but marriage? I was only 16. And I guess I was also worried that Cole might somehow be connected to the drug men. But could that really be?
   I crept to the bathroom and locked the door. I messed with my hair and wanted my brush. Then I realized that the car was still parked by the candy store. If the men drove here, they'd see it and know I was there.
   I also realized that Cole didn't know what I was doing here or the danger I was in. If I wanted to make it back to Phoenix safely, Cole needed to know.
   The second day with Cole passed by too quickly, with a trip to the park and seeing a movie.
   The third day we went on a hike and we went for a run together. I took great satisfaction in knowing I was just a little bit faster than he was.
   The fourth day we had to hang around the hospital all day. Dr. Roseband - Cole's dad - insisted on it.
   The fifth day I checked the candy store to make sure Sam's car was still there, like I had been. I wasn't ready for Cole to know everything.
The sixth day the car wasn't there. And I knew it was time for Cole to find out. The men were in town and I was in danger. I planned out how I would tell him.
"Hey Cole?" I asked the morning of the seventh day.
   He turned away from the eggs he was cooking. Dr Roseband had already left.
   "Yeah?" he said.
   "We should go to the hill again today." I hinted. He smiled his adorable smile and I couldn't help but blush.
   "Sure." he gently said.
   We ate breakfast and then hopped into his Bronco and drove to the candy store. We each picked out a few things and then sped down the winding rode to our spot.
   "This is our spot." I said as we parked by the drop off where we first kissed.
   "Our spot. I like the sound of that." Cole smiled. We stepped out of the car and layed the blanket down again.
   I looked out at Helena in the morning and smiled to myself.
   "What?" Cole asked, seeing my smile.
   "Nothing." I sighed.
   "Well in that case..." Cole trailed off.
   We faced each other and he dug his hands into my hair. I wrapped my arms around his neck and we kissed.
   As much as I wanted to live in that moment, I pushed him away and we sat down.
   "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.
   "Yeah-wait, actually not really. And that's why I wanted to talk to you." I sighed, shoving a piece of beautifully crafted chocolate in my mouth.
   "Oh. Is it my fault?" Cole answered.
   "No. No, of course not." I smiled. He scooted closer and I leaned on his shoulder as the sun rose above the mountain.
   "I know I've been very mysterious. And closed off. And that's because of what somebody did to me, last summer." I began.
   "His name was Dave. Is Dave, I should say. I thought he was perfect and I liked him. He was my closest friend.  Last summer on a school trip we kissed and then we started dating.
   And it was great, but after a while things got bad. He-" I teared up. I never talked about what Dave did to me.
   "It's okay." Cole calmed, hugging me tighter. He wiped my tears away and combed through my hair with his fingers.
   I took a deep breath and started again. "He and I got into a fight. He said things that deeply shook me. And he cheated on me. I never really recovered." I was fully crying, and I knew this was the only way to feel better. The only way to let go.
   "Hey. Just let it out. We have all the time in the world. Shelly, I'm here." Cole said. He kissed the top of my head and I just sat there. I was propped up against him and sobbing. And Cole stayed there, silent and ready to listen, rubbing my back. He wasn't trying to understand. Just trying to be there for me.
   "But we don't have that much time." I ominously said.
   "Why's that?" Cole asked.
   "This next part of my story is why I've been hiding." I took in a shaky breath. "My parents went out of town. June 12, I was pulled over and kidnapped. I went to my friends house after escaping and Dave - working with the men - helped the kidnappers take me.
   "The kidnappers are the leaders of a drug ring and wanted me to do the trading and take the fall. About 45 miles away from here Dave helped me escape Sam, the main kidnapper.
   "In the foothills, Dave stabbed my leg so could hide while the men came back for me. The men found me and broke my rib. Dave and I hid in a tree for a day, but he freaked me out and I felt uncomfortable.
   "I ran away from him and he re grouped with the drug men. I stole Sam's car and drove here. I had planned to lay low and wait until June 28, when I would drive home to Phoenix and meet up with my parents, who will be back the 30th.
   "But then I met you. I know this is super cliche, but I fell in love. And now I found out that the car is gone. So the men are here and searching for me." I finished. I collapsed from the horror of my situation.
   Cole stared at me with wide eyes. We sat there for a while.
   "How many men are there?" he finally asked.
   "With Dave, there are 5." I sighed.
   Cole took a deep breath. He shifted his position so his arms were around me and sighed again.
   "Then I'll help you." Cole resolved.
   "Seriously?" I confirmed bewildered.
   "I'm in too deep now." he grinned.
   "I don't deserve you." I said.
   He returned my smile and brushed the hair out of my face. He kissed me.
   "So you live in Phoenix, right?" Cole asked.
   "Yeah..."
   "My mom lives there. I realized I never told you that." Cole informed me. He looked out at Helena. His face bathed in the warm sunlight. I melted.
   "So I get to see you?" I cried.
   "If you'll have me." he answered. I squealed and wrapped my arms around his neck. He held me close and we sat watching the morning sun slowly make its ark across the sky.
   We sat on our hill all day, planning our escape. And I knew this was a person I could trust. I knew this person would be in my life for a while. I couldn't let him slip away.