Chapter 7
Lucas couldn't believe what he'd just heard. This Girl had walked in here, demanding to speak to Tristan because her mother had apparently been killed. Didn't anyone think to check if what she was saying was true.
The boy in question was one of his best friends, and he couldn't help but worry. The other thing he couldn't figure out, was that if Tristan was the person she went to see, he had to be very important to her. Then why had he never mentioned her name?
Arriving at the unit quarters he began looking for his friend, who should already be back from his morning run. Lucas had been on night watch, so he didn't have to join the others. In that moment the blond came out of the shower room, looking refreshed.
'Hey Tristan! Can I talk to you for a second?'
'Yeah, of course. What's up? I thought you where still on duty.'
'I am. General Hamilton requested to see you.' seeing Tristans confused face he tried to reassure him. 'It has nothing to do with the Academy, but do you now someone by the name of Leigh Danes?'
Tristan thought about the question for a second, but couldn't come up with a face.
'No, should I?'
'Yeah, actually there is a girl with General Hamilton at the moment and she requested to speak to you. She said that her mother had been killed and that it was very important that she talked to you.'
Again Tristan thought about the name. Something sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it, but he would know in a few minutes anyway. Following his friend towards G.. Hamiltons House, he could hear all the other Cadets talking. It wasn't often that someone was let into the compound before visiting hours, especially if they weren't family.
'So what does this girl look like?'
'She's about our age, has brown hair and blue eyes. When I heard her saying that she wanted to talk to you I became curious, because you've never spoken about anyone with that name. Seeing as you don't know her either, I'm wondering what she'll do once you're there. Do you think it could be one of the girls from your school... Just trying to see you?' he directed the question at his friend, who seemed to be lost in thoughts. After a moment Tristan answered.
'It could be... But why not just come during visiting hours? Why make up such a story?'
Lucas shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what to say. When they arrived at the door of General Hamiltons house, they both took a deep breath and stepped inside.
When the person, sitting in front of the General turned, Tristan thought his heart had stopped. There... A few feet away... Stood his Mary.
'Rory?'
Recognition and confusion could be seen on Lucas' face, Tristan was just shocked, and before he could blink Rory threw herself in his arms. She let all the fear and sadness wash over her and Tristan couldn't do anything except hold her.
'Shhh... It's gonna be alright. Come on, Rory... Pplease stop crying and tell me what's going on?'
He didn't know what to do. Never in his life had he seen anyone like this; she was holding onto him for dear life. Every once in a while he could hear her say something between her sobs, but nothing that made sense. After half an hour of constant crying, she fell asleep in his arms.
The General gestured for him to lay her on the couch, and after they pried her off him, which wasn't easy, the three men went into the kitchen.
'Sir, may I ask what she is doing here?'
'She arrived around half past 5 this morning and requested to speak to me. She told me that her mother had been killed and that she had to talk to you. She didn't say anything else.'
Tristan could feel the blood leaving his face. Lorelai was dead? He knew how close the two of them were and now her breakdown seemed to make a lot more sense. The only thing he didn't understand was why she told everyone that her name was Leigh Danes, but he decided to just ask her when she woke up.
'So what now?' Tristan asked the question that was on everyones mind.
'I think we should let her sleep for now and maybe she can explain everything else when she wakes up. Do you know where she could stay for tonight?' the General directed the question at Tristan.
'No, I don't know anyone around here and my family is in Connecticut.'
'I have a friend around here who she could stay with. I've known him since I was 4 and I'm sure he wouldn't mind. He only lives 10 minutes away.' Lucas spoke up for the first time since entering the house. And judging from the looks he got, the other two men had forgotten he was there.
Their conversation was cut short as a scream echoed through the house, and Tristan raced out of the kitchen. He saw Rory sitting up, tears running down her cheeks, and her whole body shaking. Slowly, so he wouldn't frighten her, he walked over to her and engulfed her in a hug. Immediately she turned into his embrace.
'It's alright Rory, you're safe. I wouldn't let anything happen to you.' he whispered in her ear, so she would calm down. After hearing his voice she began to relax and her body stopped shaking. When her breathing was back to normal, he gestured for the General and Lucas to join them.
'Rory... Can you tell me what happened?' he started drawing circles on her back to keep her calm and to let her know he was there.
After a minute of silence in which she tried to gather herself, Rory moved out of Tristans embrace and sat beside him, never letting go of his hand.
The General and Lucas had each taken a seat and were waiting for her to begin.
'When I was driving home from school yesterday, my mom sent me a text telling me to look under the bed. Thinking it was just one of her many weird jokes, I ignored it. But when she wasn't at Lukes and he hadn't seen her all day, I became worried and walked home as fast as I could. I got a strange feeling and seeing the door ajar didn't help, but I walked in none-the-less.' She took a deep breath and wiped away the few tears that had escaped. After a gentle squeeze from Tristans hand she continued.
'I walked into the living room and she was just lying there, with two bullet holes in her chest and blood all around her. I checked her pulse but she was already cold. I didn't know what to do, so when I remembered her message I ran upstairs and look under her bed. There was a box which contained a letter, documents with my new name, an account book and several notes she got from her m-m-murderer. In the letter she told me to come here, that I would be safe... So I did. I packed my bag, called the police and left.' Throughout her story she had held on to the blond boys hand, which didn't go unnoticed by the men sitting in front of them.
No one knew what to say, and for a few minutes the only thing that could be heard was the ticking of the clock which hung over the fireplace, and the silent sobbing of the distraught girl sitting next to Tristan.
'But why would she send you here? I mean ... We are good friends, but why not send you to your father or your grandparents?' Tristan was confused and scared for the girl sitting beside him. He couldn't imagine what she had been through the last 24 hours.
'I don't know for sure, but in one of the notes he said that I would be next and I think here was the only place he wouldn't find me. The first place to look for me would be my family and around town.' she looked at the boy sitting beside her and was relived to see an understanding look in his eyes.
'Do you know who it was?'
'No. And until they find him, I have to be very careful about telling people who I am. So from now on you have to call me either Leigh or Mary.' seeing his surprise she send him a sweet smile. They where brought back to the present by General Hamilton.
'So Leigh, do you know what you are going to do from here on?' he had watched the couple interact and was surprised by Tristans gentle behavior. General Hamilton knew that he was a brilliant student and a great cadet, but from what he heard he was also quite the player and seeing him tend to the young woman in such a caring way surprised him.
'Oh my god!! I totally forgot where I am. I'm so sorry for keeping you so long and for intruding. I'm sitting here crying like a baby when all of you probably have other things to do. Again, I'm so sorry!' Getting up to leave, she was pulled back onto the couch by Tristan who had to laugh at her ability to ramble.
'Mare, calm down and answer the question.'
'Ohh... Ok. Well to be honest I have no idea what to do. I think I should look for schools around here, and then I have to look for a job and an apartment. Since my mom left me some money I should be able to get by for a moth or two, but I'll have to work afterwards, to be able to support myself.' She mentally began making a list in her head of all the things that she needed to do.
'I should probably go and look around. See if I can find a place to stay for the night. Again thank you for your time, I know I came by unannounced, and you probably had other things to do. I just needed to see a familiar face, and to get myself together.'
'It was really no problem, Miss and from the look on Cadet Dugrey's face I don't think he agrees with your decision to leave. Cadet McCollin offered to call a friend of his, who lives nearby, with whom you could stay for a few days. And seeing as it is Saturday, the Cadets are allowed to leave school grounds for a few hours. So I suggest that the two of you escort Miss Danes, if she agrees.' the General told Rory.
'What do you say Mare?'
'Yeah... That would be great. But I don't have a problem with staying in a B&B. You don't have to bother your friend.'
Lucas had to smile at the girl. When she came in here she almost commanded to see Tristan as if she was in charge, and now she didn't want to be an inconvenience to his friend. She was exactly how Tristan described her... Headstrong... Stubborn... Innocent... Sweet... And most of all, cute.
'It's no problem... He has more space than he actually needs to live, and he likes company. So what do you say?' Lucas sent her a small smile.
'Alright. If he's really ok with it, I'd greatly appreciate it.'
Rory thanked the General for his help and got her things. She and Lucas left the house and waited for Tristan who had stayed back to talk to G. Hamilton.
'Thank you Sir, for everything. It means a lot to me that you're allowing me to leave school grounds. I know that normally Cadets have to be here for at least 6 months for them to be allowed to go out on weekends.' Tristan really meant what he said.
You had to be on your best behavior for 6 month to be allowed to go out and even then you had to get permission. So for G. Hamilton to permit Tristan to leave was a big favor.
'I'm very proud of the way you are supporting that young woman, and I hope you will continue doing so. She seems like a good girl who doesn't deserve what has happened and I'm sure she could use a good friend. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be. You're expected back by 1700.' After saluting, Tristan rejoined his friends.
AN: So here it is...the next chapter. Please let me know what you think.
