Eye of the Hurricane

Chapter 19 - Chase

"Sage, thank God! Are you okay? Where are you? I'm coming right now." 

My voice cracks with worry. Ive been losing my mind all day over her. She called Paul. Paul, not me. Did I mess it up so much between us that she couldn't let me know she was safe? He told me she would call me when she was ready and not to worry. He would keep an eye on her. I trust him with my life but it was hard to trust him in that moment when all I wanted to do was hold her. 

She finally broke down my last wall, and I can't keep it together anymore. She is mine. I will do anything in my power to make sure of it.

"Chase," she sighs, "I'm good. I don't need you to come get me. Please." I hear the pleading her voice and know that I need to keep myself together for her. 

"Are you sure? I've been worried sick over everything. I'm sorry. I shou.."

She cuts me off. "It's cool, Chase. I know. You don't have to apologize. I just needed some air and then I just, I.. my feet lead me away. I just needed away."

"I didn't meant to hurt you." My chest aches with the grief of knowing that I caused her some sort of pain to run from me the way she did. It wasn't just a kiss and we both know it.

"Don't.." It's weak, barely above a whisper.

There's a silence that falls between us. Neither of us needing to fill the void. I panicked when I saw her laying on Paul's table with the stencil on her leg. So many emotions ran through me that I couldn't pin point them all. Was I jealous, angry, happy, all of the above or more? I'm not sure. I just knew that I could not let him touch her. She was mine and I had to prove it to her right then. When she asked about her nickname, I lost it all. I claimed her lips and it was life changing. I felt my chest lighten and I could breathe better that I've been able to in years. She doesn't understand what she does to me and for her to walk out and run away, that hurt.

She's first to make a sound, with a sigh she begins. "I- I've had some things happen to me in the past. I don't want to get into them but it made me scared. I freaked out. I had a panic attack. I'm sorry, Chase. It was great but, I can't stay with you anymore. I need to have some space between us. I'm sorry."

My chest is being ripped open. This is worse then any break up and we've only shared one mind altering kiss. I don't understand why she would pull away from me now. What could have happened to her for this to happen? I shake my head and try to gather my thoughts.

"Are you safe where you are?"

"Yes."

"Can I come see you, please? I need to see you." 

I'm pleading. All of my resolve is gone. I need to see her to calm my nerves to know for sure that where ever she is, the intruder can't get to her. Something seems off to me about it all. I haven't talked to anyone else about it but every time I go over, it's like there's this presence in her apartment. I went a few times during my lunch to clean it up for her to be able to return one day. That's what I kept telling myself but I had no intentions of her ever going back if I could help it. 

"I don't think that' a good idea right now. I'll see you in the morning at work."

My blood pressure rises. This isn't what I wanted to hear. I slam my fist against my kitchen island.

"Please, Sage. At least give me the address so I can come get you in the morning."

There's a long pause. "I'll see you in the morning, Chase. Promise."

With that, the line goes quit. I don't think I move for some time, refusing to believe that she hung up. That she's gone. She's been with me for weeks, just right down the hall and now I have no idea where she could be and it's eating at me. I slam my phone down but decide to call Paul.