Trust

✍ Lost

A/N Wow. It has been such a long time since I last updated with an actual chapter. Again, I am so sorry for the delay. Thank you all so much for being such incredible people and leaving the loveliest messages of support and encouragement. Most of all, thank you all for waiting so patiently for the next chapter. I know it isn't easy waiting for super long updates so thank you. You guys are the best fans ever :)

Love,

Percy

"Just tell them the truth. You didn't kill anyone." My voice was soft. I wanted to speak louder, but a lump had formed in my throat and I could barely breathe, much less speak.

Chase's fingers tightened around mine to the point that it almost physically hurt. His eyes burned with a melting pot of emotions: terror, guilt, pain. 

"I can't."

I stared at him hard, searching his face for answers, but he chewed his lip and turned away.

"Chase, I can't help you if you won't let me." I was close to tears, my words trembling with emotion.

His voice was quiet. "Then so be it."

*****

12 hours earlier

The wedding party spirit had been pretty much doused after Chase left. Guests milled around, muttering to each other quietly and giving me pitying looks. I hated those looks. I didn't need their sympathy, and I was majorly pissed that they kept looking at me as the girl whose poor judgment led her to falling in love with an alleged murderer.

After my brief fainting spell, Evan rushed me back to the hotel to change after a garbled congratulations and apology to the bride and groom. In all honesty, I'd been surprised that Jenny hadn't been half as upset as I'd expected her to be. After all, we'd pretty much ruined her wedding reception. Instead of giving me an earful, all she'd said was, "Go, get your man," and winked. I guess I have God to thank for crazy, quirky, understanding cousins.

In my haste to get to the police station, I hadn't managed to see my parents, but I figured they'd hear the news soon enough. 

Mum would understand, I thought. I'll talk to her later.

"Do you want me to come along?" Adam was looking at me worriedly. He'd come back with Evan and me to help me pack up my hotel room.

I paused for a second then shook my head. "It's okay. Stay back with mum and dad. I'll be fine."

Adam nodded and kept quiet after that, but his silence spoke volumes.

The car ride back to town was pretty quiet. Evan kept glancing over at me every couple of minutes and in the end, I said, "You have questions. Ask them"

Evan coughed. He undid his bow tie and  chucked it into the back seat. Unbuttoning his cuffs and the top two buttons of his shirt, his eyes shifted over to me for a split second as he sped down the highway.

"How well do you know Chase?"

I rested my elbow on the car door and my head on my hand. "Well enough."

"Is he capable of doing what they're accusing him?"

"No." I shot Evan a horrified look. "Why would you even suggest such a thing? You know Chase. You know he's not capable of murdering someone."

Evan shook his head. "That's not the point, Pops. Sometimes, we don't know a person until it's too late."

"I thought you were going to lay off Chase." I was angry now, but there was something else driving my anger. For a moment, I struggled to identify it. Then I realized what it was: fear.