Chapter 2

Painful Goodbyes

John stares at her trying to understand. "Kevin told you to stay away… from me?" Sam nods her head. "I don't understand." She takes a breath. "Kevin says your resemblance to Caleb will only cause the pain to get worse….. And may bring up the possibility of relapses in therapy."

John stares at the ground not responding to Sam's words. "John… Please say something." He looks back up at her. "I don't want you to be in anymore pain." "I know you don't. After all you were the one who saved me." "But still… Every time you look at me… All you're going to see is the man who kidnapped and tortured you." He places his hand on her cheek. "I couldn't stand it."

John gives Sam a kiss on the cheek before standing up and walking towards the door. "John..." "I care about you Sam….. I don't want to be the reason for your pain." Sam watches him open the door. "Goodbye Sam." He closes the door behind him with the last image of Sam with a tear running down her cheek.

John leans back against the wall outside of Sam's room. He lets out a depressing sigh as a tear runs down his cheek. "Goodbye Sam" he whispers to himself again. He straightens up and walks down the hall back to the elevator. John presses the button and watches as the floor numbers slowly change. The whole world seems to be moving in slow motion. The elevator door opens and John steps in.

He presses the button to the main floor and the doors close in front of him. Sam's words repeat over and over in his head. "Your resemblance to Caleb will only cause the pain to get worse." John looks up at the ceiling. "I want to make sure Caleb will never be able to hurt you again… This is the way it has to be."