Omega

Chapter 9

It must have been that fatigued determination that kept me from noticing Adam's father stumbling towards me. The sound of the surf muffled his approach until his feet came into view in front of me and I threw my hands out to stop him before he barreled headfirst into me. 

"Mr. Callahan!" I exclaimed, grabbing his shoulders to steady him as he stumbled to my right. Confusion struck me dumb for a second before quickly turning to fear that spread its icy fingers along the back of my neck as I took in his disheveled hair and pants that were soaking wet past the knees. "Mr. Callahan?" I asked, my tone low and cautious as my hands clutched his wet jacket. 

Vacant eyes searched the horizon behind me before settling on my face. As I spoke again, they slowly focused, but no no hint of recognition flickered within them. "Mr. Callahan are you okay?" I coaxed, guiding him further away from the surf. Water oozed out of his leather shoes as he allowed me to lead him back along the path the way he had come. 

"I don't believe her, Elaine." Mr. Callahan's voice was firm but laced with fear as he spoke, apparently thinking I was his wife. "I don't trust her." I patted his arm uncomfortably, saying nothing as we continued. Mr. Callahan continued to babble to his wife, pleading with her to reconsider a decision he seemed adamantly opposed to. Every time he turned towards me, the sharp scent of vodka was evident on his putrid breath. 

I hurried him along the shoreline, nearing the stone stairs to my house. As we approached them I hesitated, wondering if I should direct him towards home and let him go, or if I should take him there and make sure he was safe. Adam had mentioned his father's heavy drinking, but I had never seen it firsthand. I wasn't sure if Adam would be embarrassed for me to witness his father like this. Just as I was about to give him a gentle push in the right direction, Mr. Callahan grabbed my wrists and twisted them into his chest until we were nose to nose. 

Sharp pain shot up my arms as I struggled to free myself, but he was relentless. "No, please, Elaine, no don't believe her! It will end badly for all of us. Please think of Adam! What will this mean for him?" Terrified, I froze at the mention of Adam's name. 

"M-- Mr. Callahan?" I whimpered, the pain in my wrists immense as I tried to make the man focus. His eyes traveled across my face as he struggled to recognize my voice. "Mr. Callahan, what happened to Adam?" 

His son's name snapped his attention back to my face and something flashed behind his eyes. 

"Carson." 

I nodded. A long moment passed while the glaze disappeared from Mr. Callahan's eyes and he tightened his grip on my hands before speaking again, his voice now clear and frantic.   

"Carson, please, don't let her do it! Don't let her do it to him, too!" Tears welled in his bloodshot eyes as he wrung my hands in his, shaking me slightly in his desperation. 

"I'm sorry Mr. Callahan, I don't know what you--"

"Don't let her do it to him, Carson! Don't let her take him!" 

"Mr. Callahan! You're hurting me!" I cried, throwing my weight away from him. I could see the stone steps to my back yard just a few feet away and I dug my heels into the ground as Adam's father snatched my small frame up off the ground and shook me so hard my teeth snapped together sharply. 

His crazed face inches from my own he bellowed, "DON'T LET YOUR MOTHER KILL MY SON!"before letting my limp, paralyzed body fall from his grip. 

I stumbled backwards a few steps before gaining my footing and lunging for the stone steps, which I scaled like a wild animal, fingernails scraping against the smooth blocks as I dragged myself away from Mr. Callahan. 

As soon as I reached the circular patio I fell, panting, to my knees, where I stayed long enough to let my heart return to a regular rhythm. A glance to the west showed Mr. Callahan still stumbling along the shoreline, headed towards his house at the other end of the peninsula. 

Satisfied I was safe, I leaned against the low stone semicircle that edged the patio and caught my breath as the sun rose over the horizon. 

"Carson!" I snapped to attention at the sound of my mother's voice carrying across the lawn. "Carson!" 

"Mom! I'm out here!" I stood up and waved to indicate my location to her. Seeing me, she marched across the yard toward me, her face set in a grim expression. 

"Carson Delaney Cromwell. What the hell are you doing out here this early?" She demanded as she neared me. 

"I was just--" I began, but she cut me off. 

"The lab just called. My flight's been moved up. I have to leave now." She didn't wait for my reaction before turning and heading back to the house. "I went all the way up to your room to wake you up and tell you and you weren't there." She tossed an accusatory look over her shoulder at me as I followed her to the house in silence. "After your little outburst last night I honestly didn't know if you'd run away or done something stupid." 

I glared at her as she clicked up the stairs in her boots, her crisp trench coat swinging as she moved. 

Once inside she continued on through the living room to her small suitcase and shoulder bag that were waiting by the front door. She lifted the bag and slipped the strap across her chest, adjusting it briefly before putting her arms out towards me. I hesitated, remembering what Mr. Callahan had said to me on the beach. 

"Seriously, Carson, come on. You'll understand one day that this is all for your benefit. All I ever do is for you." 

I didn't believe her, but I stepped forward and allowed her to hug me tightly, my hands resting lightly on her upper back in response. I felt her sigh as her shoulders slumped slightly in defeat before she pulled away and straightened her bag. 

"I love you, Carson," she stated. 

I nodded and crossed my arms, leaning back against the banister as I responded, "love you, too." 

Without another word she took the handle of her suitcase and swiveled it around as she opened the front door. I pretended to inspect my fingernails until I heard the latch click behind her. 

Then I sank to the floor and cried like a child.