CHAPTER 14 - RETURNING

Nothing was said for a while, both me and Abby went and stood in the kitchen to give Cat some time. Not long passed and Cat told us she was going out to find a payphone. We both nodded and smiled reassuringly and Cat left the apartment.

"I hope she'll be ok" Abby said.

"Me too" I replied.

We waited patiently for Cat, Abby tuned in some music on her radio and started playing with one of her puzzles on the floor, I merely sat on the sofa happily watching her.

"Stop staring at me" Abby giggled.

"Sorry I cant help it" I teased.

Abby jumped up from the floor and launched herself at me. She pushed me back against the sofa with a mischievous grin now appearing on her face.

"Do you surrender?" She asked me.

"To you always" I told her.

Abby stared at me for a second her mischievous grin now vanishing and she looked deep into my eyes. Slowly and gently Abby stroked my face and leaned in and kissed me. As the kiss started to intensify Cat burst back into the apartment and Abby jumped off me. Cat seemed agitated and sat down on one of the spare chairs by the table. I noticed she had tears in her eyes but Abby was the first to ask how she was. Cat looked at us both clearly upset.

"She's dead" Cat announced as she burst out crying.

"What?" I simply asked.

Abby went over to Cat and put her arm around her.

"There was no answer at first then a message said to ring a certain number if I knew Mr and Mrs Addams so I did. Some solicitor or something like that answered and gave me the news. It happened about two months ago" Cat stated as she sobbed.

"What happened? Abby softly asked Cat.

"Car accident, it was all he could tell me" Cat answered.

We were all silent for a short time, I didn't know what to say, Abby continued to hug Cat.

"I have to go see this solicitor guy, he told me he's been trying to locate me and needs to discuss a few things with me"

"Of course" Abby said reassuringly.

"We'll all go, as soon as you're ready" I announced.

"Where are you from?" Abby asked Cat.

That was a good question Cat had never told us, I presumed near Clarkesview or somewhere in that area but what Cat said surprised me.

"South Carolina, a town called 'Elkwood' it's a long way" Cat told us.

It surprised me to learn just how far Cat was from home then it hit me, South Carolina! I turned to Abby who was now sitting on her own staring at nothing looking lost like she was in a trance. I remembered Abby was originally from South Carolina and had never returned to her former home since being turned. I wondered what she must be thinking.

"Abby are you ok?" I asked her.

Abby came to from her daze and looked at me. She gave me a nervous smile and nodded.

We all started packing our belongings once again into Cats poor excuse for a car and headed out of down leaving our apartment behind.

It took us well over a day to reach South Carolina. During the journey we decided not to stop at a motel. Me and Abby squeezed into Abby's trunk and slept during the daylight hours as we knew Cat was keen to get there as soon as possible. It wasn't particularly comfy at first but once sleep took over it didn't matter, I was surprised we both managed to fit in though. Once the sun had set the following day Cat let us both out and we continued on our way.

We reached the town of Elkwood and continued to our destination which was Cat's former home just after midnight. The house itself was just out of town in a secluded area. We drove up a long winding drive and I noticed just how large the grounds were to this place. There were wooded areas and open neatly cut lawns it seemed to go on forever. We pulled up outside a large house I wasn't used to anything quite on this scale. Cat walked round to the side of the house and told me and Abby to wait a moment. I noticed two large garages and what looked like stables in the distance. Cat returned with a key in her hand.

"Thank god they didn't move the hidden key" Cat said.

We made our way inside and at first both Abby and I were a little in ore of the place. It was so spacious and the interior was very modern and elegant. Cat understandably seemed a little weary about being back here but she put on a brave face.

"All the guest rooms have large windows and some have French doors so I don't think they will be very ideal for you guys but I've got an idea"

Cat led us both upstairs and when we thought we had reached the top floor Cat led us up another flight of stairs and into a large loft space.

"There's no windows or anything up here I think it could be good, you could bring a bed up here from one of the other rooms and make it homely while we're here" Cat suggested.

Me and Abby both smiled it was perfect. There were one or two boxes that needed to be taken out of there but all in all it was great. Cat suggested a bed that would be good and pointed me towards the right room. Upon entering I immediately saw a large double bed and wondered if Cat had sent me to the right room.

"Cat, there's a big double bed in here" I called out.

"I know" She called back.

I took off the mattress and after a quick inspection noticed the bed came apart pretty easily. Abby and Cat had both gone back downstairs to bring all our stuff in from the car and had left this little job to me. I took the bed in bits back up to the loft and reassembled it, I admit it took longer then I expected, actually it took ages but I got there in the end. I went down to see Abby and cat and met them in the kitchen. Abby was watching a small television and eagerly waved me over to her.

"Look a TV" Abby cheerfully announced.

"There's one in most of the rooms" Cat told us.

Abby smiled at me and then turned her attention back to the television. I asked Cat if she was ok and she simply nodded in response trying to fake a smile.

"I'm going to try get some sleep, I'm pretty tired and have to meet the solicitor tomorrow" Cat told us.

We both nodded and smiled in understanding, there really wasn't much to say. I went and had a look around the place a bit more. The living room was huge and had numerous sofas and chairs in it with the biggest TV I had ever seen in my life. There was also a games room down the hall with a pool table and a bar in the corner. I must admit I was really starting to like this place. Abby was still watching the television in the kitchen so I grabbed her hand and led her back into the living room. I pointed out the giant TV and her eyes lit up like a child's on Christmas morning. We were cuddled up together on one of the most comfiest sofa's ever and I asked Abby if she was ok being back in South Carolina.

"Yeah I'm ok, my home used to be miles away from here, I don't think its even there anymore" Abby told me.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I asked.

"I'm not sure" Abby gently spoke.

"Well if you decide you want to, I'll be with you, you know that" I told her.

"I know" Abby whispered.

We carried on watching the big TV for at least the next few hours before we had to make our way to the loft. We curled up together for the first time in the double bed and Abby looked so peaceful it made me smile before I fell asleep.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed it guys. Please review and follow, it makes doing this all worthwhile, Thanks.