Together

Chapter 10~Caspian

We made our way into Grace's apartment.

Quickly, I flopped down on the couch; my eyes heavy. I let my breath shudder from my body, leaving my shaking.

"Are you okay?" Grace's voice appeared at my side. She slipped down onto the couch beside me, resting her head on my arm.

"Are you?" my voice shook.

"I guess you can say I am. I know you're not," She looked up at me. I gazed down into her watery eyes, my thumb running over her chin.

"We need sleep before we can do anything," I changed the subject, my eyes closing.

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My sleep was plagued by dreams.

I was standing on the same hill, overlooking a river and forest. I looked down at myself. I was wearing a white suit and black tie. My hand ran over the silk on my body.

"Mom?" I looked up, knowing what was going to happen.

"Caspian," replied a voice that was not my mom's.

"Dad," I didn't stop stroking the tie. "Why are you here? Where is mom?" my head snapped up.

"She's not here," he said slowly. I turned around to face him. A deep wound spiraled its way around his throat and to his forehead.

"What happened?" my fingers hovered over his temple.

"Your mother."

"My mother didn't do this," my lip quivered, "What did?"

"Who."

"Who?" I spit, "It wasn't a who. A 'who' wouldn't do this. You did this to yourself."

I turned and ran down the hill, my hand falling my tie and turning into a fist at my side. I ran, faster and faster toward the river. It was crowned by trees.

Stopping at its back, I let my hands twist together. Quickly, I let myself fall into the currents. Water filled my lungs as the water engulfed me. I twisted and turned, the cold burning my skin.

My eyes opened.

I clenched my teeth and flinched, Grace gripping my arm.

"Are you okay?" she whispered against my skin.

"You ask that a lot, don't you?" I smirked. She didn't respond.

"Come on, we have stuff to do, Grace. After all you made a promise." I slid out form her grip, getting to my feet.

"I did," she scoffed into the pillow.

I ran my toes over the carpet as I walked to the window. Light glared through it's glass, showing the set of the sun.

"Let's go before the sun sets. Maybe a walk to figure things out."

"Sounds good," Grace's arms wrapped around my waist.

"Do you have any other clothes I could wear?" I asked, turning around with her arms still around me.

"I could give you a tee shirt," she offered, grinning. Her fingers played with the collar of my polo, twisting it around.

"That'll work," I grinned back.

"I'll go get it and then we can go," she spun on her heel and skipped toward her suitcase by the door.

I pressed my palms to the window sill and leaned my forehead against the window. I let my breath bounce off the glass and tickle my face. I closed my eyes.

Bella could be gone from my life, forever. I may never find her, but I won't give up. She's been there for me, now, its my turn to be there for her. I won't stop until I find her. I will find her.

I'm determined.

"Here," Grace poked my lower back.

"Thanks," I puffed, taking the shirt from her grasp. I quickly unbuttoned my polo and slid It off over my head. My broad shoulders stuck out, and so did the small ring of a tattoo around my belly button.

"What's that?" her fingers skimmed the ink.

"It's a ring. One for what I've lost," my voice cracked slightly on the last word.

"What did you lose?" she whispered, her gaze slowly scanning mine.

"My life."

"Me too," she wrapped her arms around my bare chest. Her cheek, pressed against my shoulder blade, was warm. Her tears started to fall onto my chest.

"It's okay to cry. Everyone has tears that we have to let go of at one point or another," I ran my hands into her hear and pulled the pins out so it fell around her shoulders, reaching the middle of her back. 

"Watch out," I parted the shirt and slid it over my body. It was small and tight, but it worked.

"Ready to find her?" Grace's gaze was pleading, asking for answers.

"Yes," I let my hand slide into hers and we went out, into the streets.

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Authors Note 

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Next chapter will have an excerpt from my next book! It doesn't have a title just yet.