Freedom Train

Bonus Mini-Chapter: Terry (February 16 pt. 3)

February 16, 1963 Pt. 3

Terry had been staring at that basement door for a good fifteen minutes after Annabeth disappeared behind it. He felt like a damn fool for letting that conversation go down the way it had. But really, what did he expect to happen?

Terry was sure it seemed to her like his regrets and his decision had come out of left field- Completely unexpected. But that wasn't the truth.

His choice to bring her with him had been practically all Terry thought about as he watched her being mauled by that sick bastard of a police man.

At that moment, when there was nothing he could do to protect her, Terry knew that it was a mistake. That someone as sweet and innocent as his Annabeth had no business being put in harm's way for him- for his people- or for anyone else.

Terry might not be the one who violated her against the wall of that damn theatre, but it damn sure felt like his fault that it had happened.

He knew he said that they'd be able to get through anything if they were together. Terry told her the risks of this life. They decided that it was something they would take on together. But until it happened- Right there in his face...Well...It became too real. He couldn't put her in that situation again. At least not willingly.

Terry had plenty of time to dwell on it when they locked them up- To think of all they had gone through to be together already- Only for something like that to have to happen to her on the first mission they endured together. It didn't bode well for future endeavors.

Then, Terry saw her after they were released and for a brief second just the sight of her had him second guessing his decision to send her home. There was something about that girl that makes him irrational- Made him crazy. How else could you explain the speed in which they professed their love to each other? Love at first sight is the stuff of Cary Grant movies. How did that happen in real life?

Terry thought it was true for him. For them- The whole love at first sight phenomenon.

When she jumped into his arms in Dr.Wallace's living room, Terry couldn't help but wrap his arms around her. He had worried about her all night and just seeing that she was okay was almost enough of a relief to make him rethink his decision.

Either way, he had to talk to her. He had to figure out a way to keep her safe, even when he couldn't physically defend her. And that was his intention as she pulled away from him and shyly batted those beautiful emerald eyes in his direction.

Then, before their meeting in the basement, Terry's conversation with Henry reminded him of what he had to do.

"So, the girl's okay then?" Henry had said as he caught Terry alone in Dr. Wallace's kitchen.

Terry had talked to him a little about his feelings on the inside, and Henry mostly stayed quiet on it. He let Terry talk with a thoughtful expression on his face, stoically taking in his worries and fears.

Terry nodded his head, his eyes finding themselves locked on where he saw Annabeth through the doorway, laughing lightly with Candace.

He always seemed to do that- Find her in the crowd, and the sight of her always seemed to make his heart ache.

"That's real good, brother," Henry said with a clap to his shoulder.

Terry nodded his head and grabbed his glass bottle of coke off the counter, bringing it to his lips for a drink.

"Can I be real with you?" Henry asked after a few extended seconds of Terry staring at Annabeth.

Terry turned his head toward him and nodded.

"I tried to keep my nose out of your business but I gotta say my peace. What happened yesterday? With that cop and her? It's gonna happen again. You know what's worse than a nigger in the eyes of the law and the racist whites? A nigger lover. A sympathizer. A traitor. You of all people should've known better than to bring her with you. Nowhere with you is safe for her."

Terry lowered his eyes to the ground, a lump forming in his throat as his best friends brash but true statement hit home. Henry had only spoken the words that Terry had been thinking but hearing them out loud made it more real.

Being with Terry would only get Annabeth hurt. And he loved her too much to allow that to happen. Because he loved her, he would have to let her go.

So now as he stood staring at the door she closed on him, he had to figure out how the hell he was going to get her safely out of harm's way. But how on Earth would he be able to convince her to go if all he wanted to do when he saw her was tell her to stay?