Finding Sage (Young Adult)

Twenty-Nine: Actress

Kellan

"No, we cannot wait, we are heading there now, Gretchen. Can't you send local police or something?" I ask.

"The local police there are not very trustworthy up there. They might even be on their payroll. We are trying to get some Marshalls in the area but it could take a while. Kellan, are you armed?" she asks.

"No, but I'm with two trained bounty hunters and they are fully armed. I don't know the first thing about guns," I speak the truth.

"Listen to them and don't do something stupid! We are on our way to you. We can't get a helicopter up there without raising suspicion and I can't do anything that might get her hurt." She pauses and takes a deep breath. "Kellan, Sage is smart and resourceful. I think what she is doing is idiotic, but she knows him better than anyone else and a part of me can't help but think that she is the best person to keep him calm." Gretchen is trying to sound strong but her voice cracked at the end. "Besides, I just got her back, I am not going to lose her now."

After a little pause, I mumble and hang up unable to think about losing Sage. We're going to get her back! We have to get her back.

Sage

The sun has set over the mountain ridge when I open the door to the cabin. Donovan's frozen face glares at me from the table.

"Donovan? What are you doing here?" I open my arms and go to him. He does not get up right away. We stare at each other while I put my keys on the counter. Waiting for his response, I stand unsure of myself. I hear myself swallow.

"Mi cara?" he says.

Running to him, I wrap my arms around his seated body and deliver a warm hug. He hesitates for a long moment before he stands and takes me in. I hug him tight, like I've missed him, like he's my everything. "Donovan, I came here so I could clear my mind and figure how to get you back. I have missed you so much," I lie convincingly.

Donovan holds me in his arms, but it's not warm. Skepticism rolls down his arms and through his chest. I feel it in the stiffness of his embrace. I roll out of his hug and look into his face, taking his face in my hands, I pretend to admire him.

"Cara, are you really back?" he asks looking at me. His face changes from wondering to hopeful, his eyes soften and his body relaxes. For a moment I see sadness and relief wash over him. He holds me softer and exhales.

"You are the only thing I have been able to think about since that last time I saw you." I look down and take his hands in mine. "Do you think you can forgive me? I can't live without you Donovan. You are my moon and stars, you know that." I look up at his face and a chill rolls down my spine when I see the truth in him.

When I met Donovan, he had happy eyes. They were full of light and it was one thing I loved about him. When he started doing bad things with his family, I saw the light dim. He became more sinister and harsh, especially in the bedroom. If I worked hard enough at making him happy, I could see some of the light come back, but over time more and more black settled in, not allowing the good to show through.  Now, I can see there is no good left; he's all bad.

I blink like I am going to cry and then turn to his food. "You're eating cereal?" I look around the room and see fresh fish in an open cooler. "I see you went fishing today. You didn't feel like cooking?" A gun is in the chair next to where he was sitting but ignore it.

He mumbles a mhmm, before stepping away from me and walking in a small circle. "You have some making up to do. You know that, mi cara?" His words bring back old feelings of fear, reminding me the first time I heard those words and the things he made me do to make up for leaving without letting him know my whereabouts for two hours. I had to make-up to him for two days.