The Traveller

Investigation

The days past without so much of a blink. Scarlet had a mental list of those who she wished to avoid, including Cheyenne despite their advances. It was weary to be the center of their attention. Could they not simply understand that she needed time to process these past few weeks? Her thoughts had been twisted of what if and especially of those who gave her up to Thomas Doughtery as a infant. What could had happened that she would be past off? Were her birth parents dead? Or simply did not want her? These thoughts consumed her with self-esteem worthiness and doubt. To top it off, her father's funeral approached no more than two days away.

She sighed as she leaned her head against the moving car rest. To ease her mind on such things, Scarlet drove to town in her father's old blue pick-up truck. The vehicle had twenty years on it engine and worked like a champ. Down a main road of small homes, Scarlet turned up a long twisting hill. One hand steered the wheel while the other laid securely on the manual stick. As she reached the peak, the morning sun illuminated the town with life. Her college came into view on the corner of the highway.

The parking lot was dreadfully packed which forced Scarlett to park across the street in front of a convenient store. She walked on the campus while she smiled at those she recognized from her classes. Many of them were archeologist or linguistic majors. Students sprawled across the lawn in stereotyped groups. There were the musician, singing to the dead silence and allowing outsider to watch them with awe. She past by a group of men who debated on scientific matters which she had no hope to understand. None she would call friend, for most either simply stare or avoided her.

Scarlet past through the halls of the main building and reached to the third level until her previous professor's door came into view. It was hope that he was on his break and not mingling with students. Her sender fingers nocked on the wooden door as she waited patiently. The sound of chair scraping the floor came to her sensitive ears which brought a smile to her lips. Thank her lucky stars that he was in. The door slowly opened to reveal an older esteemed professor who specialized in archeology and teaches history as a retired man. His thick grey hair was gelled back and his beard was nicely trimmed. His brown suit screamed 1970's.

"Well, hello Miss Thatcher, I was not expecting to see you here." He sounded genuinely surprised, his voice thick with an english accent. Behind him Scarlet spot another professor who she remembered as Professor Knight. An english and literature teacher. He rose from the leather chair with a small smile.

"Hello Professor Buren." Scarlet greeted, spared a hesitant glance to Professor Knight and said apologetically, "I'm sorry for interrupting, I can come back..."

"Not to worry. Professor Knight and I were finished." He said calmly and turned to the other professor, "It always a pleasure Rich."

Professor Knight nodded and held out his hand to the Professor Buren, "I'll see you tomorrow, old friend." He turned to Scarlett with a sympathetic smile, "Miss Thatcher, I am sorry to hear of your father. Hang in there."

Scarlet mustered a smile to conceal the remembrance of her father's death as he past by with his suitcase in hand. Expectedly, she turned back to Professor Buren who smiled and widen the door for her, "Come in, come in. Tell me Miss Thatcher, what can I do for you. I was under the impression you've dropped out of school. I am most sincere about your father."

Scarlet inwardly cringed as she forced the thought away. As she went to the leather chair dropped her purse at her feet and Professor Buren sought out his seat on the opposite side. "Thank you... for taking the time for me."

He folded his hands on the desk and said nonchalantly, "Of course, I'm always here for my students." His eyes examined the young girl apprehensively. Compared to when she attended his classes, Scarlet grew paler, oddly skinny and weary. There were slight indication of dark rings beneath her eyes and her face was rather shallow. His hands tightened in discontent. There was never a time when he wouldn't take extra steps for his students, especially those who had the desire to strive. It disappointed him when she dropped out but sympathized with her reasons. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, I have a question." Scarlet grabbed her purse from the ground and pulled out from the side pocket a silver coin that Cheyenne allowed her to research. When she handed it to him, he straighten with eagerness. "I was wondering if you can help me with this. It an old coin but I don't know from where or when."

Curious, Professor Buren put on his glasses on and twisted the relic in his hands. With a thoughtful hum, he pulled out an old book from his desk and began flipping through the pages. Images of ancient currencies and other items filled every page which lured Scarlett forward to catch a glimpse. "Hmm, I don't have anything here or seen such as this. It is made of real silver. The designs are fascinating and in quite good condition. It could possibly from an old kingdom in Europe. I would wager in Italy."

"Italy?"

"Oh yes, Europe has much history that long been forgotten. Most believed the records of the ancient world were destroy to preserve their secrets. This might very well be a piece to the past. Long before Rome and Persia or even Macedonia, there was talk about findings in all over Europe." He rose from his chair and went to his filling cabinet. His fingers flipped through the files until he pulled one out a slim file. When he returned to his chair, he pulled out a single photo that was behind a variety of photos and thesis from different scholars of the early 1900's to modern times, "You see here? This photo was taken in Northern Italy in 1945"

His fingers pointed along the printed picture of what appeared to be a destroyed mountain side with white building stones that could have once shaped a city. "There was once a city here. There's evidence that proved this was once a foundation of seven levels with more than hundred feet difference. It once constructed here and here..." His pulled out another picture and layout it next to the other. This one was a close up of a destroyed gate. "The Great Gate, as it was called by it founders. Remarkable I tell you."

Scarlet scanned through each with undivided fascination. History had always been her passion but, she failed to see the connection. "Very interesting."

"Indeed." Professor Buren agreed with enthusiasm but his voice faltered with disappointment, "Unfortunately its completely destroyed, far worse than anything we've ever encountered, even Troy. Its as if was all history was erased here. Scholars call this the White Ghost."

Scarlet cracked a skeptical smile, "The White Ghost. Interesting name for a ruin."

Her professor muffled a deep chuckle and nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Its fitting in a way. Covered in white with ghosts of the past. There speculations that it once called the White City. It was mentioned in an old documents that was founded in the early 1900s in Italy but...

"The White City?" Scarlet tested it out, unintentionally cutting him off. She frowned to the unfamiliar city. "I've never heard of it."

"There is not much to go on which is why its not popular amongst the media." He explained, then looked back in awe. "It was once a city perched on at mountain, it faced every direction."

Professor Buren collected the photos before organizing them into the file. Discontent with the lack of information, Scarlet's eyes glanced to the silver coin on the desk near her professor. She inquired curiously, "What makes you think the coin is linked to this city?"

"Well, look here." Professor Buren returned her sights another photo that displayed a destroyed courtyard. "See here, there are old tree roots, it must have once been a large tree. There's documents that were salvaged with a description of this insignia on this coin. Of course this is all theory until there is substantial proof."

"Have there been any expeditions?" Scarlet asked curious, perhaps she could find her way there. She can be the next Indiana Jones.

Professor Buren smiled patronizing, "Not since the early sixties. Perhaps one day there will be funding to explore this magnificent place."

Her smile fell... She was never good with a whip. Pouted, she questioned with a small strand of hope, "Do you have any other information about the White City or Ghost...?"

"Only what's in here, I'm afraid." He handed her the file and Scarlet scanned through the vague information of relics founded in the city along with images of close up damaged architecture. "Unfortunately, that is the only information I have."

"I see." Scarlet said with a desponded voice as she returned the file to his professor.

Professor frown to her disappointment. He grabbed the coin and twisted it in his hands; curious to why her sudden interest in an unknown city. Most of his students, even the talented ones never knew of it's existences. It was never as interesting as Rome or Egypt. "If I may ask, how did you come by this?"

She fell silent for a moment, then answered vaguely, "It was packed away."

"Ah, well if you ever decide to to anything with it, be sure to donate it to an archive." He suggested handing back the coin to her. When he rose from his chair, Scarlet assumed their little meeting has reached it's ends. The professor probably had other classes and students to attend to. She quickly collected her items and followed him to the door. As a gentleman would, he opened the door for her.

"Of course. Thank you for your time." She offered a smile which by far was genuine.

"Anytime."

Sighing, she disappeared from her professor's sight when she rounded the corner toward the staircase. The trip was not completely empty-handed, in fact it gave her moment to realize that perhaps... this White City could have been mention in Thomas Doughtery's journal. Which means she'll have to visit Cheyenne, in turn endure her wrath for not returning her phone calls. With a sigh, she set her mind to visit her old friend.

Hesitantly, Scarlet knocked on Cheyenne's door. A silence filled her as she heard sounds of bare feet skidding across the marble floor of the kitchen. A smile developed on her lips to Cheyenne's love for running barefoot on clean marble. No doubt the floors had be recently waxed. As children they would slide across the floor with socks, which always got them in trouble with Annabella. The lock came undone as Cheyenne cracked open the door.

In the small gap, Cheyenne peered through, hiding her wild uncurled hair that was half pinned up and wore no makeup. There was worry in her eyes but slowly calmed to the sight of Scarlet. Scarlet casted a curious brow to the fact Cheyenne answered the door without at least foundation on her face. She'd always be vain about covering herself. Scarlet guessed that Cheyenne had a date tonight and was worried that her date arrived early before she finished dressing herself. Cheyenne blew out a bundle of air before she widened the door.

"Oh, thank goodness. I thought you were Jack." Cheyenne exasperated with relief, then her eyes narrowed and continued with a firm voice, "Well stranger decided to come out and play?"

Scarlett barely mustered a smile, downcast her eyes and trailed the tip of her shoe against the cement. "Sorry for not calling back"

Cheyenne crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe, her eyes examined her young friend with concerned eyes. Why was Scarlett so pale? Paler than the last time she saw her and awfully skinning. There hasn't been a time when Scarlet didn't look healthy, but now she looked horrible. Cheyenne pursed her lips together in worry. "I understand this is difficult time but you needn't shut me out. Have you been eating?"

Scarlet's eyes darted back to Cheyenne, slightly offended to the strange reference to her weight. She retorted with a firm but confused voice, "Of course I have."

Cheyenne ignored her snarky response and stepped forward to place a hand over Scarlet's forehead, feeling her temperature. "You're not getting sick, are you?"

"No."

Cheyenne was unsatisfied with that answer. What could be draining her so horrifically? If she didn't know better, she would guessed she was sick with a serious disease, no other conclusion would justify her appearance. Sighing, her eyes trailed again up her friend with concern. "Come inside."

She widened the door and left Scarlet to close it. Scarlet left her purse on the entry table and followed Cheyenne into the kitchen where her older friend left behind her phone that vibrated from a text. Cheyenne wasted no time and swiftly snagged two cartons of ice cream from the freezer. Her never ending supply of ice cream brought a small smile on Scarlet's lips. "Here. Ice Cream is a remedy to everything."

Scarlet willingly excepted the ice cream and spoon. Driving straight into the sweet-land with a satisfied moan. "You can say that again." She murmured dreamily, licking the cream that melted down her spoon and fingers.

Silence filled them as they enjoyed their moments of peace. Cheyenne glanced up at Scarlet who was completely oblivious to everything around her except for the ice cream. She couldn't hold back a smile but it instantly dropped when she inquired softly, "Your father's funeral is on Friday. How you holding up?"

Scarlet snapped out of her ice cream fantasy-land and focused her attention on Cheyenne. With a shrug, she replied flatly, "As good as it can be expected. Uncle John had taken care of everything. Dad has been cremated and he'll be buried next to my mom."

Cheyenne nodded in comprehension and lowered her spoon and carton. She folded her arms over her chest and leaned on the countertop. Tilted her head to the side, she inquired gently. "Have you thought about finding your birth parents."

Scarlet swallowed a spoonful of ice cream, regretted it instantly when a brain freeze came along. Setting aside her dessert, she leaned away from the counter and stuffed her hands into her pockets. Sighing, she admitted calmly, "Possibly. Actually that why I came." Cheyenne furrowed her eyebrows in curiosity and took another bite of her ice cream. Hesitantly, Scarlet requested rather carefully, "I was wondering if I can borrow your grandfather's journal."

"Scarlet..." Cheyenne warned softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Look." Scarlet's voice thick with resolve and eyed her older friend with determination, "I just want to borrow it. Thats all."

"Seriously Scarlet you ought to give this up. I mean look at you, you look like you haven't slept in ages." Cheyenne urged softly, as if she feared someone would hear her. If only Cheyenne knew that Scarlet never truly sleeps, not even with sleeping pills. "You're chasing a ghost."

Scarlet smiled to a wicked thought as she leaned back onto the counter. The corners of her lips grew into a impish smile, "Well if I find one, I'll be sure to send it to you."

Cheyenne chuckled to the brash comment and she returned with sarcasm, "Yeah, would that be before or after you scream your head off. Silly girl." She collected the ice cream cartons and returned them to the back of the freeze. Securely next to the ice maker. She gave a despondent sigh, "I wish I knew you were coming, I would have you stay the night but I have date."

Her eyes jumped to the large clock against the wall. It neared 5:15 and Jack would arrive in less that three hours. That was hardly time for Cheyenne to beautify herself. Scarlett smiled and held her hands up, "So no more, we'll have lunch this weekend."

"Sounds good, I'll meet you in the living room." Cheyenne gave Scarlet a smile before she dashed out of the kitchen with her bare feet slipping on the marble floor. Out of Scarlet's sight, she heard Cheyenne yell from a distance, "I'll be back."

The soft thumps from Cheyenne's feet came to Scarlet's ear followed by sounds of paper ruffling and a zipper closing. Scarlet slowly made her way out of the kitchen and into the spacious living room. Collapsing into the plumped couch, dramatically sprawled on the soft cushion until her feet relaxed on the armrest. Annabella always had good taste in furniture. Fingertips tapped on the her stomach to a song in her head when Cheyenne rushed down the stairs, almost slipping on the last step. A small smile came her to lips when Cheyenne squeaked but rebalanced herself and entered into the room. In her hand, she carried a small stylish backpack and dropped it onto Scarlet's stomach.

"Oh! You get to lounge on the couch!" Cheyenne playfully yelled as Scarlet sprawled even more, so there be no more room. Exasperating a deep sigh, Cheyenne went to the chair, "No matter this is more comfier."

Scarlet chuckled and sat up so her back was against the cushion and her foot securely tucked beneath her leg, "So, who's Jack?"

Cheyenne broke out into a large smile, her eyes became dreamily and leaned slightly toward Scarlet. "Oh this hottie from my history class." She fanned her face dramatically, "He's a transfer student from France. Oh! I love his accent. I am a sucker for blondes. Oh and he has such gorgeous eyes. You would drool if you met him."

Scarlet couldn't resist a smile. Cheyenne always had men lining up to date her, it was her curse. Scarlet thought. They could be at a restaurant together and men would simply flirt, believing they were irresistible to her charms. Her smile would make almost any man clay in her hands. Scarlet for one doesn't date, much to Cheyenne's dismay. Rarely could she convince Scarlet to do a double date. Call Scarlet old fashion, for she simply waited until she experience that moment when eyes meet across a room and then, she'll simply knows.

"He's friends with this other cute guy, we should seriously double date." Cheyenne winked and offered an impish smile.

Scarlet grimaced. "Cute guy? Like your old friend Greg who practically stalked me."

Memories of Greg from their first semester made Scarlet shiver. Greg was indeed attractive but a bit needy and territorial. But at the time, he was simply the boy next door to Cheyenne and when he met Scarlet, he fell head over heels for her. Called her beautiful and charming. However after all the roses and chocolates where dispersed, he became more aggressive to the point he would stalk her at school. Anywhere she went, he was there. It was rather unnerving when Scarlet did not wish to be pursed so strongly after three dates. But it ended when he came to the ranch and Buck chased him away with his rifle. That memory made her smile.

"Ok, so my choices in men for you weren't always perfect but this one, he cute. Give him a chance." Cheyenne begged, even pouted and even clasped her hands together in a plead. Batting her eyelashes followed by a smile.

Scarlett chuckled softly and murmured, "I'll think about it."

"Great! Think long and hard. It would be good for you to get out of your house and meet new people. And who knows, he could be your prince charming." Cheyenne continued with enthusiasm, puckering her lips and gave an air kiss. The look that Scarlet gave her forced Cheyenne to laughed hard.

"I wouldn't go that far." Scarlet retorted, rolling her eyes to Cheyenne's dramatic ideas of love and dating.

"Well, silly girl. How will you know until you've tried?" Cheyenne questioned, almost challenging. "You just wait until you meet your match and you'll come running to me with all these lovey dovey stories. You just watch."

"Ok matchmaker." Scarlet shook her head as she brought the small backpack to her lap and unzipped it open. She ignored the frown on Cheyenne's face when she pulled out the papers that were somewhat organized. "Have you read anymore?"

"One or two, but I just gave up. I had school and... Jack to get back too." Cheyenne murmured with a shrug as he pulled out the pins from her hair and allowed her short hair to fall onto her shoulders. She watched Scarlet put some of her grandfather's documents onto the coffee table with mild concern. This wild goose chase that her friend was on would only led to disappointment, but Scarlet had her mind made up and so, Cheyenne would wait for the fall.

"I'll give this back to you as soon as I am finished." Scarlet noted when she noticed the strange look in her eyes but Cheyenne didn't utter a word. She simply nodded in agreement and watched carefully as Scarlet flipped through the journal of its ripped content.

That was when suddenly Scarlet first heard the front door open followed by heel clacking on the marble floor. Ever so slightly, her eyes widened and she glanced at Cheyenne who at first was unaware but she stiffened when she heard a familiar voice, "Cheyenne?"

Both of the women froze in place to the voice of Annabella who came through the arched entryway with her rolling suitcase. Out from the hall and into the living room came a slender woman dressed in a sharp business suit. Her long brown hair pulled back into a tight bun and small diamond earrings on her earlobes. The Italian woman offered a warm smile to her daughter and then, she glanced to Scarlet. Surprised, Annabella said softly as she can be, "Oh Scarlett. Hello dear. I am sorry about Roy."

Scarlett barely cracked a smile, unsure how to respond. "Thanks."

Annabella turned to Cheyenne expectedly, her eyebrows rose as her profession voice came out, "You seemed surprised to see me. Did you not get my voicemail?" Before Cheyenne could respond, she glanced around the room and found it in disarray, "And why is my house filthy?"

Scarlet rose a delicate eyebrow when she looked around, even if a picture frame was ever so tilted, Annabella would consider it filthy. Everything must be in order in her home. Cheyenne sighed and raked her hand through her short blond hair, "No, mom, I didn't get your message." Cheyenne confessed, her voice irritated because now Annabella would go through the house and take note of what was not right.

Annabella sighed and murmured something in Italian that Scarlet would guess were oaths as she ripped off the gloves from her hands. Then Scarlet followed Annabella's curious eyes to the coffee table which she stiffened when Annabella reached for the document, "Are you studying?"

Annabella tilted her head to the side followed by a frown, her eyes snapped to Cheyenne. Scarlet watched as Annabella's face flushed red with irritation, "Cheyenne Margret, What are you still doing with this...!"

She waved the document in front of Cheyenne's face before tossing it back to the coffee table. Placed her hands on her hip, while her eyes narrowed solely on Cheyenne and waited with limited patience for her daughter to explain. To Annabella surprise, she heard, "Its my fault."

Shock crossed her face as she furrowed her eyebrows in curiosity and looked to Scarlet, "Your fault?"

"Yes." Scarlet swallowed to the intense gaze that Annabella was so good at. It made her want to spill the beans in a rapid fire motion, "You see I... I am the one that asked Cheyenne about Thomas.. Doughtery."

Annabella crossed her arms and cocked her head to the side, "Why ever for? What is he to you?"

"He found me." Scarlet answered dryly, her voice dropped along with her eyes. It sounded almost real in her own ears.

When Scarlet looked back at Annabella, her mouth slightly parted followed by a long pause. It was as if her legs were too weak and Annabella slowly sat in the chair across from the young brunette, "They told you?" She barely breathed in amazement.

Scarlet blinked, "Wait, you knew? You knew all along that I was adopted?"

Annabella pursed her lips together to the accusation in Scarlet's tone and forced her to tighten her hands into iron first, "Of course I knew!" She exclaimed offensively, "I was friends with your Mother."

Scarlet winced when she mention Rhea was her mother. For some odd reason it pierced her heart. Straighten up, she pleaded in a soft voice, "Please, do you know anything. Thomas Doughtery is my only connection to find where I was from."

"You have wonderful parent, why would you..." Annabella began in a affronted voice before Scarlet cut her off, "Because, I need to know. I need closure."

Annabella stared at the young girl long and hard. There in Scarlet eyes, Annabella noticed a familiar look. She had that look when she asked her own mother about her father's disappearance. It was rather painful and therefore, Annabella sighed hard. "Fine." She gave in a soft voice, "I'll tell you what I know. It was the summer of 1995..."

1995

It was a dark night, darker than usual. The rain poured relentless, threatened to flood the roads with inches of water. The clouds hovered the sky, twisted with shades of grey and flash of lightening. The air was crisp, chilled to the bone. A black cloak concealed Thomas Doughtery's appearance as he walked the lone road on the country side, cuddled precious cargo in the crook of his arm. He was weary, his feet stumbled on the dirt road, but he refused to give in. Shivering to his drenched clothing that did not match modern society standards. A ripped tunic and trousers would certainly earn him a curious brow, if not insults.

Over the hill he went until the ranch house came to view, outlined by the lightening that struck in the background. From the window light of the living room, he suspected Roy and his wife Rhea were home. When the infant stirred in his arms, he swiftly covered her deeper into his clothing to prevent her from getting wet. This child has slept peacefully and oddly enough with her eyes opened. Thomas reached to the porch, his every step was heavy and draining all that he had.

On the porch, Thomas pulled back his cowl and eyed the door. He was breathing laboredly and chest pains attacked him. He was injured and would not last long. Hesitantly he nocked roughly on the door. The sounds of the television came to an end followed by heavy footsteps. The lock came undone and the door widened. Light from the inside illuminated Thomas's old features.

Roy's eyes narrowed at the stranger until suddenly recognized him, "Thomas? Thomas Doughtery is that you?"

Thomas managed to smile wearily at his old friend. "Hello Roy."

Roy opened the door wider until Thomas was swathe in light. Shock slowly wore off for it had been ten years years since he last saw Thomas. Here he was now, pale and aged tremendously over the years. Even his clothes would raise questions. Despite his disappearance, he couldn't shake his overwhelming joy to see him again. However it was splintered when he heard a strange sound. A soft whimper from within Thomas's cloak.

"Old friend." Thomas came into the house without permission, but Roy was too shocked to care. He hardly noticed Thomas's wet clothes dripping onto the wooden floor. As difficult as it was, Thomas pushed through his dizzy mind and asked in a raspy voice, "I must ask a favor."

Thomas pulled back his cloak and pulled out a bundle of white blanks. Peering from within was a small infant, not more than six months with a head full of black hair and eyes as blue as the caribbean ocean. Roy's hands shook, confused he glanced up at his old friend, "Thomas..."

"Please, take her, she's special." Thomas instantly handed her to him. As if it was instinct, Roy embraced the child into his arms before he looked at Thomas.

"Thomas.." he began again but Thomas cut him off.

"Do not ask question." Thomas rasped harshly, "I trust her to you. Please keep her secret and safe."

Roy glanced down at the child that stirred in his arms. A beautiful child she was. Unlike anything that he had ever seen. Gently, with his free hand he stroked her odd ears that were pointed at the tip. When the infant reached out and held his large finger in her tiny hand, Roy smiled. "Thomas...?" He looked back up but he stood alone and opened door with sounds of thunder in the background. Thomas had fled into the darkness.

"Roy?" Rhea called from the kitchen as she walked into the living and frowned to the opened door. When Roy turned to reveal a small child in his arms, she gasped and glanced up to Roy's eyes.

oooOOOooo

"Thats it?" Scarlett asked at the end of the story, flabbergasht to the lack of information. Her shoulders drooped in disappointment and rubbed her forehead for a strange headache developed from her stress.

"Yes." Annabella uttered firmly, much to Scarlet's dismay, "Shortly after, he came here. Cheyenne was no more than year or two."

"He was here?" Cheyenne asked surprised, straightened herself on the chair, "What happened? Did he say anything?"

"No I sent him away." Annabella said firmly, held her head high and dignified.

"You tross him out?" Cheyenne questioned, her voice full of contempt. "But why?"

"Because I needed to protect you." Annabella said through her teeth. The memory of her father made her more agitated then her daughter's tone with her, "Thomas Doughtery is a lost man. He will break your heart as he did mine. Leave him in the past that where he belongs, that is where he wanted to be."

"But mom, if he wanted too, he could have stayed..." Cheyenne started softly, noted the firmness in her mother's tone.

For moment Annabella actually pitied her daughter's hopes for her missing grandfather. Cheyenne never endured the disappointment on the following mornings of her father's reappearance nor the sadness of when he never called or even sent a birthday card! The only proof she had that he actually appeared throughout her childhood was the small gifts from strange times. Annabella's heart twisted when she remembered Thomas at her front door on that night after ten years. She was alone in the kitchen of her newly bought house. Her husband was away on a business trip in another state and her daughter slept soundly upstairs. Thomas was desperate to see her and his new granddaughter. And during her moment of weakness, she allowed him to see Cheyenne while she slept and then casted him out into the cold weather to never be seen again.

Annabella pursed her lips to the hurt that erupted in her chest. With a deep sigh, she willed away her feelings and harden herself once more. Slowly rising from her chair, straightening her jacket as if there were no wrinkles. "No my dear, Thomas would not have stayed. He didn't even stay for your grandmother or me. He was lost in the past, chasing dreams."

"Did he ever mentioned where he went?" Scarlet suddenly spoke when it seemed safe to do so.

Annabella actually forgot Scarlet witness their private moment and her hand tightened on the suitcase handle. She muttered firmly through her teeth, "It doesn't matter."

With that Annabella turned on her heels with her suitcase in hand and escaped from her memories. Scarlet heard ever step, heavy with anger as Annabella stomped her way upstairs.

"So he did just give me to my parent." Scarlet said in a dry tone, tried to lightened the mood, "I hoped for more."

"I know. Perhaps you can focus on finding your parents and not Thomas." Cheyenne suggested calmly and then helped Scarlet collect the documents from the coffee table. They gently returned them to the backpack before Annabella returned.

Scarlett stood and hauled the strap over her shoulder and nodded in comprehension, "I will."

Cheyenne walked Scarlet to the front door, forlorn. Scarlet offered a smile and swiftly hugged her long time friend, "Let me know how the date went."

"I will." Cheyenne pulled away and allowed Scarlet to walked down the cement path to the driveway. Cheyenne's eyes dropped to the backpack and almost regretted giving it to her. Hesitantly Cheyenne called, "Scarlet?" Scarlet turned with an arched eyebrow, "Don't live in the past for too long, ok?"

Scarlet offered a small smiled and nodded and turned away.

To be continued.

Sorry everyone for the long delay. I went through a nasty break up and moved away from the state that I lived in. To top it all, I lost some all of my works for this story, so I am starting from scratch. So bear with me.

I thank you for reviewing my last chapter!