To Trust a Giant

chapter 32

Street lamps illuminated the streets as a guidance to lead Jason back to Clair's house. He was exhausted from working long hours but he jogged his way down the streets, determined to see Stella. The scars that were scattered across her arms were burned into his memory, he didn't know what happened to her or why she acted that way last night, but he knew they needed to talk about it immediately.

As he turned down Washington Street, Jason's brown eyes locked onto the simple little house at the end of the street. His pace quickened, and as he got closer he could see Clair's silver car and Richard's truck in the driveway. So everyone is home, they're probably all enjoying dinner together. Maybe Stella finally came out and is smiling and laughing at the table enjoying a delicious meal.
He approached the door and turned the knob. Warm air pulled him in, away from the chilly outdoors. Immediately he realized that there wasn't whiff of dinner in the air. Odd, normally Glenda wouldn't postpone dinner without a reason. As he walked down the hall, Jason could hear Clair and Glenda arguing in the living room.

"You need to tell us where she is."

"She doesn't want to come back, mom!" Clair snapped.

"But that wasn't your call to make!" Glenda's voice shook as she spoke.

"Honey, please calm down."

"How can I be calm when Stella is gone?"

Jason's heart stopped. What was happening? Was Stella really gone? She was barely able to move last night, where could she be?

Jason emerged into the room. "What happened to Stella?"

Everyone fell silent. Glenda and Richard exchanged looks at each other, unsure of what to say. They glanced over at Clair, who's face grew pale.  Did Clair do something to Stella?

Jason marched over to his girlfriend. "What happened to her?"

Clair didn't say a word, her green eyes avoided Jason. Stella had that same look when she tried to escape, the look of guilt and fear she had when he had confronted her about it. Clair was that same little girl fearing punishment if she confessed her crimes.

"Clair, please!" Jason begged.

Richard put a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "It'll be okay." He reassured. "You can tell us."

Clair took a shaky breath, slowly her eyes met Jason's. "I…. Released her back out on the streets."

Jason's eyes widened. He couldn't believe what his girlfriend had said. "W...why would you do that?"

"She wanted to leave. I did her a favor!"

"But she's just a human, how can she survive out there?"

"She said she's done it before." Clair scoffed. "So, that's her problem!"

"Clair!" Glenda scolded.

The two women began to bicker but all Jason's thoughts drowned them out. All he could think about was Stella's wellbeing. She's lost in the city, probably huddled up, scared and crying. The night was cold, and was only going to get colder with December approaching. There's no way she could survive out there. Protective instincts kicked in.

"You have to tell me where she is!" Jason's voice boomed, silencing the quarrel.

"No!" Clair snapped.

"Don't fight me on this. I'm going to be out there all night if you don't help me!"

"She doesn't want to be found!"

"But she can't survive out there."

"For god's sake, just let her go!" Clair pleaded.

"I can't." Jason sighed. He didn't understand why she did this or why she didn't want Stella around, but he had to look for her, with or without Clair's help. Searching for Stella was going to be like searching for a needle in a haystack, but Jason would search every inch of the city until he found her. He started to walk towards the door. "She needs me."