Can There Be Only One?

Chapter 45

I was walking down the street when I saw Tessa and it scared the Hell out of me. I thought this would be some scary nightmare. I stopped and she stopped and we stared at each other. I tried to go after her, but all she did was run away and get in a car, driving off.

"There is no way," I said to myself and I felt angry knowing it was something Horton did. I got back to my car and drove to the funeral of Pete. I sighed and walked up to Richie, but he wasn't the happiest to see me.

"I am so sorry, Richie, it was never supposed to end like this, no matter who he was." Richie ignored me and someone handed me a flower and I sighed, putting it down at his grave. I looked back up at Richie and he just stared at the grave. I felt bad, but I also knew who he was and I was going to show it to him, the proof.

"Richie, we need to talk," I said and he nodded, putting down the flower he was carrying and we headed to a more quiet part of the graveyard.

"Richie... I know now is probably not the best time to talk about this, but-"

"Then don't," he said and went to walk away but I handed him the folder the mystery man gave to me. He stared at it and looked back up at me, taking it and looking at it.

"What is it?"

"Just look at it, please, it may change your mind about a few things." He looked at me again with complete anger and opened it anyways, staring down at the pages. He looked at me and shoved the folder back into my hands, shaking his head.

"Richie, I know he saved your life, but it was another manipulation trick to get you to hate me and Duncan." He just stared at me and I shook my head, knowing this was going in through one ear and out another. I sighed and just walked away. This is the first time I really hated Richie, and I hated the feeling. I looked in the mist and saw the mystery man and shrugged my shoulders, where I headed back to my car and went home. I sat there for hours and did absolutely nothing but look at the folder and all of the photos. I looked out the window and saw Abe walking up from his bike and he entered the house, without knocking and I didn't even hate it.

"Hey, sorry I missed the funeral, I tried to make it but I couldn't." I sighed and he sat down next to me, grabbing my hands.

"Did you know Pete was a Watcher?"

"Yeah, I was filled in. I am so sorry about everything, Maria, I truly am. I hope that if you guys get Horton he stays down this time." I laughed a little and looked out the window where his eyes followed mine and we both just stared at him together.

"I feel like I know that man out there right now -the mystery man- and yet I have never met him a day in my life."

"I wouldn't worry about him until he tries to kill you, which I highly doubt he will do." I looked at Abe and he looked at me, hugging me to get off of the topic.

"I saw Tessa today," I said and he just looked at me weirdly, not understanding.

"What do you mean 'saw' her today?"

"She was there on the street, but of course it can't be her, because she is dead. Horton is behind it all and I just know it. GOD I JUST WANT HIM TO DIE!" Abe put his hands on my shoulders and stared me in the eyes.

"He will pay, Maria, for everything he has done to everyone." I sighed and nodded, knowing that was how karma worked her ways.

"Thanks Abe. You still care about me after everything and I thank you for that and I love you for that." He nodded and hugged me again, leaving me there to stare at the mystery man. I felt Richie suddenly and looked behind me to see him come in and close the door behind him. I stayed silent, not wanting to anger him more and all he did was come up to me and kiss me and I kissed him back.