Fighter {Completed}

Chapter Forty-Five: Just One More Night {Ellie}

Chapter Forty-Five: Just One More Night {Ellie}

Two Weeks Later

The knock on the door is answered by Sebastian, as he jumps off the couch ready to embrace Taylor. I frown, though, as he pauses when he opens the door, freezing.

"Can I help you?" he asks, confused.

"We're looking for Eleanor Robinson." I stand, making my way over, my stomach dropping.

As I stand behind Sebastian, my heart pounds in my chest. He hesitates, but lets me through after a beat, fingers reaching forward and gripping me softly, showing that he's not afraid to shove me right back inside.

Two officers stand at the front door, both looking despondent.

"I'm Ellie," I shake my head, "Eleanor."

The officer to the left nods, before speaking.

"We're sorry to inform you that your mother, Lory Robinson, has passed. We found her this morning at approximately 4:00 A.M."

My...mother?

"H-How did she die?" I manage.

The two officers look at each other, before both bringing their eyes back to me. "Eleanor, were you aware that your mother was abusing drugs, namely heroine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine?" I nod, taking a deep breath. Of course I knew. She'd been doing it since my dad died, but I didn't know about the heroine. I always thought cocaine was her vise, especially since that's what Keenan worked with. "Your mother injected what we call a 'hot shot.' It's a dose of heroine that is normally meant to be the highest high. Unfortunately, it's often fatal. We have her down at the lab. Normally we'd ask for you to identify the body, but I understand if you need time-"

"No," I tell them. "I'll go now."

"Very well. If you'd like, you can ride with us or you can follow in your vehicle."

"I'll drive her," Sebastian says. I nod. I'd almost forgot he'd been standing there.

As we get into the car, I hear Sebastian speaking, but it seems his voice is drowned out, fading as I become lost into my thoughts.

How is this possible?

I just saw her yesterday.

My heart clenches painfully at the memory.

__________

"I'm gonna miss you," I admit to Cole as we stroll out of the diner. He smiles softly, almost sadly.

"I'll miss you more, sweetheart. It's only a week. I'll be home before you know it."

The thought of Cole going to L.A. by himself is something that makes my stomach turn, but that contract isn't going to sign itself. Dana White called Cole to sign with him and the UFC, and he wants to hold an official press conference and have Cole publicly sign the contract now that the Ultimate Fighter series is being edited and getting ready to be aired on television.

He checks his phone, before sighing.

"It's almost time to leave," I assume, looking down at my twiddling fingers. He places his hands on mine, calming me instantly.

"I still have exactly one hour and twenty-three minutes with you," he tells me, palming my cheek. I smile softly, nodding.

"Hey!" Cole and I both turn to look at the woman calling out to us, her blonde waves frazzled and tangled, oily and dirty. Large sores are open on her face, and she picks at another on her chin as she walks closer. Cole goes to push me behind him, but I stand my ground.