Lethal Obsession

Extricate

My body is quivering and I don't want to open my eyes but I know I have to. Did I really see Nate?

Kale is sitting on the edge of the bed just as I saw him before with his hand rested upon mine again. He is looking at me as if I have seen a ghost! He couldn't have seen Nate and be so calm. I don't know what is real anymore or what is a figment of my imagination. Am I completely delusional?

"Halston, are you okay?" 

"I don't think I am." The tears start to flow and there's no point in holding back. "Is Nate here? I- I saw him!"

The concerned look he had before grows intensely. "No hun. He isn't here."

It must have been a combination of my dream and the stress. Now I'm hallucinating. Fan-fucking-tastic!

I have to say, my dream was half amazing seeing my parents so happy with Kale and the little boy. My little boy. I wonder if that's a sign? I'm not into the whole dream/reality perception but to each is their own. My life is a full blown fucking nightmare so I like to stray away from looking too much into it. When I start seeing a lot of positive aspects in my life, maybe then I will change my tune!

I wipe the tears from my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to compose myself a little. "Sorry Kale. I'm just seriously stressed, I think."

"I understand. I can go check the cabin again if it makes you feel better? I should probably go keep watch anyway. You should get some sleep."

"I'm not tired and I don't want to be alone. Can I come with you?"

Kale gives me a small smile and a nod to tag along. Thank God!!

We go into one of the front facing bedrooms with the lights off and sit down on the bed. I watch Kale as he peers out of the corner of the shutters as he scans the grounds which contain a plethora of pine trees.

"Couldn't they come from the back of the cabin as well?"

"Honestly? Yes." He rubs his head and I can tell he has a lot on his mind. "Chris is coming in a couple of hours so we can cover more area. I don't want Beck involved and Chris wouldn't take no for an answer."

"Oh ya! Chris can be sorta hard headed like me!" I giggle a bit trying to lighten up the situation as I point to the scar on my forehead.

Kale grins from ear to ear and cups my face with his palm. "I have missed you so much."

I tilt my head into his hand, place my hand on his and close my eyes. "You have no idea how much I missed you! Nate told me that you all bailed on me! The sad thing is, I partly believed him since I never saw or heard from any of you."

"We would never do that regardless of the situation. Even if you wanted to be with him on your own free will and he wasn't a horrible person, we would all support you."

I can see how much this all has hurt Kale. I guess I wasn't the only one affected by all of this. I sigh in recognition of the mistake I made. "I know that now. That you all wouldn't abandon me. I'm sorry. I just couldn't remem-"

Kale cuts me off as he looks at me tenderly and grasps my chin while rubbing his thumb on my lips. "No apologies beautiful. I know this is going to be a hard task but try to not stress."

I laugh. "Pretty tough task considering the circumstances!"

"C'mon hun. You are one of the bravest people I know. You have been through a lot and you are still fighting. Most people take the easy route and give up. Not you though."

I gaze into his eyes and blush at his deep compliment. "Thanks Kale."

"Anytime." Kale shifts his body back toward the window to continue keeping a lookout.