Shattered (Watty Awards 2011!)

Chapter 19

A/N~

Well guys, this has been a pleasure to write! I've enjoyed every word of it, and I hope you have too! Your comments have been absolutely wonderful, whether critical or complementary.

This is the last chapter. There will be an epilogue.

AND...

There will be a sequel! Of sorts. If you want a summary and you want to know who the main character will be, private message me. ;)

Enjoy! Oh, btw, didn't get as many votes last chapter, so if you wouldn't mind looking, I'd love you forever. ;)

-Me

Chapter 19

I had always been able to see the world in Peter's eyes. It is so hard to explain, but just looking into them made everything... alright. It was stability, and quiet sort of strength that I knew I needed. I had always needed it, but now, I knew that I did. And somehow, even if he didn't say anything but my name right then, he didn't have to. Because it was all alright.

"Your mother said I'd find you here. I didn't realize-"

"It's alright." He was quick to cut me off, but his eyes didn't break contact.

Your finally here, and you don't know what to say, I told myself. Talk to him.

A soft voice reached my ears, and I broke our gaze quickly.

"Hello, Emma." She had the prettiest blue eyes I had ever seen. Every part of her was delicate and elegant, and yet I had never seen such a fragile shell of a woman. She looked almost half her age.

"Hello, Susan," I barely whispered, managing a smile. "I... wish I could say I've heard a lot about you, but..."

The corner of her pale lips turned up slightly. "I... ha-have hear..." She looked up at Peter, her brow creased in frustration. He gave her a quick smile, turning back to me.

"She wants to say she's heard a lot about you, too," he explained.

I thought that I should say something normal, such as "All good things, I hope," but nothing came out. I simply nodded, smiling at the white, china doll-like girl in the bed.

"Emma," spoke Peter, his voice unnerving in the stillness of the room, "perhaps it is time we talked... about this. Susan, is it alright if I go now? Sorry to cut things short."

She nodded slowly, and I wondered if she fully understood the situation. Peter picked up his cane, and came around the bed, lightly patting the coverlet and giving Susan a quick smile. He opened the door for me, and together we stepped out into the hallway, and it suddenly dawned on me that this was the moment when everything would be explained, and I would finally know exactly what had happened.

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One arm was gently resting on the middle of my back, the other leaning on the sturdy cane, helping him walk. He was silent leading me out of the clinic. A single glance at his stoic expression told me that he was in deep thought.

We walked out the clinic door, and immediately I could hear and feel the rain pouring onto the sidewalk, slapping down in time with my throbbing heart. We took several steps before Peter turned to me, gently grabbing my shoulders as he spoke.

"You have every right to hate me, Emma. I swear, I will tell you everything, and then you don't ever have to see me again. I promise. No awkward meetings in town, no letters, nothing."

I shivered from the cold and wet, avoiding eye contact as I considered everything he had said. In my mind, it was simple. But my mind, sadly isn't my mouth.