From Dusk Till Dawn

Chapter Seventeen

Ever so slowly and weakly I sat up on the bed with my eyes fixed on Ellie not believing what she was saying. Or more likely not able to process it. In my mind, I was debating whether I should get mad at her for leaving me to suffer all this time or just take her in a long hug for telling me where the love of my life was. My head was heavy with thoughts and tiredness all at the same time. Ellie searched my face for any sign of anger but there was none. There was no emotion inside of me at that moment. Because by all means, I didn't know what I was supposed to feel. I was relieved that was for sure, but other than that, I didn't know a way to react. "Where is she? What can I do to get her to forgive me? How can I bring her back?" I asked one question after the other with the same emotionless face for I still didn't settle on an emotion yet. "Travis, she's not angry with you... she's just not ready,"

"Ready for what? Where did you find her? Have you known all along where she was?"

She swallowed before answering. "Look I'm not supposed to tell you any of this but I don't want to see you like this anymore." A deep breath was taken before she continued. "The day you had your fight, Amy called me after you left and told me what happened and said she wants to stay at mine for a few days to clear her mind. She was the one who asked me not to tell you anything," Every word that came out of Ellie's mouth made me feel worse and worse. "All this time you saw me dying just to find her. I was scared to death that something wrong might have happened to her! How could you leave me miserable like this? Was it really that hard for you to tell me?" I started to get angry but was too tired to show it.

"Travis, she's my sister and I'd always pick her over you. If she wants to be left alone then so be it. I'm sorry, Travis, you know I love you but I can't let Amy down. And to answer your question, yes it was hard for me to tell you because I would be betraying my sister. I couldn't however, see you continue doing this to yourself, that's why I told you."

I found enough energy to stand up from the bed. "What are you going to do?" Ellie asked stopping me in my tracks as I was on my way to the bathroom to shower. "I'll go to my wife," I said and slammed the door behind me leaving Ellie on the edge of my bed. My hands were shaking and nearly most of my body was as the water ran down my body. I felt how tense my muscles were but couldn't let my body relax under the warm water. My shower was quick and hastily I got dressed and got out. Ellie was standing on her feet with her arms crossed over her body. "You're not going anywhere, Travis."

I stayed silent as to let her clear her point. "Amy doesn't want to see you, yet. I don't want her to know that I told anyone about her place. But believe me, she is doing way better now and she's happy about her progress."

"What progress? What the hell are you talking about? I want to see her." I tried to not snap at her but Ellie was getting on my nerves somehow. "I mean with her condition, Travis. Ellie had spent the last couple of months learning how to really deal with her blindness and she had become more independent than you can ever imagine. And I will not let you see her because if she's willing to meet with you she would've said so."

"I don't get it, so she just doesn't want anything to do with me now? " My voice broke at the end because the reality of this thing being true tore my heart to shreds. "No no," Ellie got closer. "Just give her some time, Travis. She'll be fine. She misses you, but she's just not mentally prepared to meet with you yet." Ellie's words hit me hard. I understood her point and I knew I had to respect that but a bigger part of me wanted to throw her words in the nearest trash bin and go see Amy anyways. "Please, Ellie. You out of all people shouldn't be the one doing this. You watched my heartbreak every single day yet you did nothing. Let me see her, please, it's the least you can do to make it up," I was begging her with puppy eyes but at the same time devilishly playing on some sensitive strings. Her conscientiousness. Making Ellie feel guilty, I knew, would make her allow me to see Amy. But I was mistaken. Guilt crept up Ellie's face as I intended but it didn't change her mind. "I'm so sorry, Travis. I can't do this to her, I made her a promise."