What Happens In The Dark

CHAPTER 16

PREVIOUSLY...

Carina starts to worry as she moves through the apartment before spotting envelopes on the table, with a shaky hand she picks them up, the top one with Andy's name in Maya's handwriting. Next to the letters is her cell phone.

"No." She whispers as she shuffles through the envelopes finding one with her name "bambina... What did you do?" She whispers, tears pooling in her eyes.

Without even opening the letter she runs back to the bedroom, ripping open the closet, a choked sob escaping her as she sees it half empty. Carina falls back onto the bed, legs feeling shaky under her as she cries, "where are you? Please be ok." she chokes out.

++++

Carina cries on Maya's bed for, well she isn't sure how long exactly, but once her breathing is under control she picks up her phone calling Andy.

"Hey, Carina." Andy answers on the third ring.

"She's gone." Carina sobs into the phone.

Andy furrows her brow on the other end of the call not understanding "What? Carina, slow down. What are you talking about?" She asks, trying not to panic.

"Maya, she's left, she's packed a bunch of stuff and just left!!" She shouts.

Andy feels her stomach drop "what? Are... how... are you sure? How do you know?" She asks, already rushing to her car.

"I'm here, I came to talk to her, but when there was no answer I used the spare key to let myself in, I thought she was just ignoring me, but she's left, she's written 3 letters, one to you, one to me and one to the Battalion Chief. Andy... she's left her phone." She rushes out.

"Ok, stay there, I am 5 minutes away, did you read the letter?" She asks.

Carina shakes her head despite Andy not being able to see her as she confirms "no, I... I don't know if I can." She says.

Andy nods "good, don't - not on your own. I will be there in a few" she tells her as she hangs up the call.

++++

A few minutes later the door opens and Andy walks in "Hey" she says walking over to where Carina is sitting at the table with the letters laid out in front of her.

"She's gone..." She whispers to Andy.

Andy looks over at the letters, letting out a long breath, "we don't know that. Maybe she is just clearing her head... you know taking a few days."

"Do you really believe that?" Carina says flatly, knowing she doesn't.

Andy shrugs "guess there is only one way to find out..." She says before picking up the envelope with her name on and opening it up, she pulls out the letter and starts to read.

Andy,

I know this is cowardly and unfair, but I know I couldn't do this if I told you to your face... I can't be here anymore. I can't breathe. So I have left.

Seattle was my home, you guys were my family, but what I did... Jack dying, it's changed everything, I can't even look at myself in the mirror knowing what I cost our family, so how can I expect you guys to look at me?

So, I can't be here, I can't be around you guys. Everyone is better off if I'm gone, where I can't cause anymore harm or damage.

I am safe, please don't look for me. I have gotten a new phone too, so please don't try to contact me. I really am sorry, I hope one day you can forgive me, even if I never forgive myself.