The File

The File ~ Chap. 17

So it's been a while, I know--but at least it wasn't a month.

I've noticed that I don't get a lot of feedback in this story, and I feel really bad saying this, but it might take me longer to upload if I don't get as much. So please, please comment/vote. and fan if you want... :)

Here's the chapter!

_________

Tate

Days could just go by and people wouldn't even notice, or find the value in it. But me, I could now understand the worth of living to see another day, another sunset. It really was special.

When I opened my eyes to see that I was still in the gazebo I had fallen asleep in, I was very relieved. And to see Cole there too...it made me even happier. As much as I said it-and thought it-I was really glad that he hadn't been hurt yet because of me. Words couldn't express it.

He was standing up, leaning on the rail of the gazebo, staring at the water. When he noticed I was awake, he smiled and said, "Hey."

I sat up, crossing my arms over my chest, still cold. "Good morning," I replied. "How'd you sleep?"

He shrugged. "Pretty well. You?"

I nodded. "Same."

"Do you need anymore time to wake up?"

"No...why?"

"I wanted to take a walk around here to see what it was like, and I didn't want to go alone."

"Oh, okay. That sounds nice." I slowly and shakily stood up.

"I can wait a few more minutes. Don't strain yourself."

I smiled. "I'm alright." I stood beside him.

"If you need to pull yourself together-"

"I just woke up, I didn't come out of a hospital. I'm fine to walk."

"Alright." He headed out of the gazebo.

I followed him, and we walked along the edge of the water. We didn't speak, we just enjoyed our surroundings.

"Cole?" I asked.

"Huh?" he replied.

"What are we going to do for breakfast?"

"We still have more food, don't we?"

"Not much, so what about the rest of the day...the rest of this chase?"

He shrugged. "I guess we'll figure that out when the time comes."

"Right."

"I really hope this will all be over soon. It'll be nice to go back home."

I opened my mouth to reply.

"And no, I'm not leaving you here, so don't start that again."

I closed my mouth.

"Tate?" Cole asked after a minute of silence.

"Hmm?" I replied.

"Are you, you know, glad I'm here?" he asked. "I know you don't like it that I'm in danger with you, but-"

"Yes, Cole," I interrupted him, smiling a little. "I am glad that you are here with me. I like having company. It's nice. And you're right, as we've established many times that I wish you would go home and allow me to be in danger independently." I stuffed my hands in the jacket's pockets.

He nodded. "Good."

We continued on again in silence. And I wasn't sure about Cole, but I wasn't paying any attention at all to our surroundings, instead admiring the view. Hence, I didn't notice at first when I began walking alone until I heard the splash. I zoned back into the real world and processed what I had heard.