a/n: Thank you for all the wonderful reviews for the first chapter of this story. Surprisingly, a lot of people understood the story, much like I have come to understand the dream that inspired it. A few have called it a nightmare, however. This was intended to be the last part of this story, but I have a feeling I could go farther with this idea. I might write a third part, but I'm not sure if I will or not. If you readers want a third part, please leave a review and tell me so. Perhaps some ideas as well? Either way, I hope you all like this story and please review on your way out.
Thanks as always to harrypotter202abc and yuki's adorable girlfriend. You both mean so much to me. I have learned a lot while on this site, and one of the greatest things I learned is that friendship has no limits. We are miles and miles apart, and yet I feel like you are both right here beside me. You both bring such joy to my day. I love messaging with you both. Thanks so much for being my friends.
Footsteps
Part Two: Auggie
"Where is she? Where's Annie?"
"She's gone."
Right.
Left.
"Gone?"
"Gone. She left. I'm sorry, Auggie."
Right. Left.
"When is she coming back?"
"Never. She'll never come back."
Right, Left, Right, Left.
Faster. I have to go faster.
Right, Left.
Right, Left.
I can't let her get away, I just can't.
Right, Left.
Right, Left.
I can tell she hasn't gone far. Just a few more yards, then I'll have to run into her.
Right, Left.
Right, Left.
My legs are on fire, but I can't stop. I have to be close now.
Right, Left.
Right, Left.
The cold air burns my throat as I fill my lungs, preparing to shout.
Right, Left.
Right, Left.
I yell her name into the night, hearing it echo back to me.
Right, Left.
Like it's mocking me.
Right, Left.
Wait, is that her, calling back to me?
Right, Left.
No. Just my own stupid echo.
Right, Left.
It's patronizing me, making fun of my efforts.
Right, Left.
I keep running.
Right, Left.
Has this path always been so long? I thought it was shorter than this.
Right, Left.
…What if I'm going the wrong way?
Right, Left.
Maybe I'm completely wrong.
Right, Left.
I've screwed up. Again.
Right, Left.
I have to turn back. I need to figure out which way she went.
Right, Left.
No, no time. You have to keep going this way.
Right, Left.
But…what if I am wrong?
Right, Left.
If I keep going this way, I'll just get further and further away from her.
Right, Left.
But if you're wrong, then why aren't your legs slowing down?
Right, Left.
Obviously, because this isn't the wrong way.
Right, Left.
But how can I know that?
Right, Left.
Because your gut is telling you that you're going the right way.
Right, Left.
But my gut wasn't right about her.
Right, Left.
It didn't tell me what I was supposed to do about her.
Right, Left.
But how can you be sure that your gut was wrong?
Right, Left.
Ha. Just look at what I'm doing now. Isn't this proof enough?
Right, Left.
No, that can't be the reason, you weren't wrong.
Right, Left.
You would never do something to push her away.
Right, Left.
Then why did she leave, if not because of me?
Right.
The others. Someone else at the Agency. Someone must have done something to upset her.
Left.
But what would they have done?
Right.
You knew the way they treated her.
Left.
And you knew the way it made her unhappy.
Right.
Anyone would have run away when they were being treated like that.
Left.
I knew how they treated her and how unhappy it made her.
Right.
And I didn't do anything to stop it.
Left.
Doesn't that make me just has responsible?
Right.
No. No, it doesn't.
Left.
Yes. It does.
Right.
I didn't help her.
Left.
By not helping her, I practically told her I didn't care.
Right.
It is all my fault, isn't it?
Left.
I have to find her. I have to tell her everything. Everything.
Right.
And what will you do if you're going the wrong way?
Left.
Then I'll turn around and go the other way.
Right.
But it will take so much longer.
Left.
You'll have to make up for going this way first.
Right.
I know.
Left.
…Will you be able to do that?
Right.
I'll have to be.
"Did you find her? Did you find Annie?"
"No, Joan. I'm sorry."
"Oh. So…I guess that's it?"
"No. That's not it. I'm going to find her. I'm leaving now."
"I understand…Will you be coming back?"
"Honestly, I don't know. I hope so. Maybe, someday. But I know one thing for sure: I won't come back without her. I can't be without her."