Chapter 20: Reality

Minutes passed as we sat in silence staring at each other. I watched Laura struggling to comprehend what I told her. It was difficult to decipher what exactly was running through her head. I couldn't think of anything to say and in a result we sat here for minutes waiting for her move. I normally wouldn't mind waiting for her response, however I needed to know what she was thinking. Did she think I'm crazy, or just plain stupid?

"May I ask what your thinking?" I whispered to her. She shook her head in confusion. She wasn't telling me no, it was more of a confused and uncertain look. I looked down to my hands.

"Kevin I'm confused." I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Really, I couldn't tell." I stopped when I noticed her glare towards me. "Sorry."

"So are you telling me..." She stopped and continued her confused stare. "What?"

"I told you I'd sound crazy."

"Wait, back up." I waited for her to continue. "So you think you were a horse for the past month?"

"No, I was a horse for the past month." I found patience was easier to handle from the practice I have had while being Kayak. She chuckled once and looked around.

"Kevin, seriously, quit being an idiot and just tell me where you were." I sighed, knowing I would never get this through her head.

"Well, I guess I could go back to the survivor theory." Wrong thing to say Kev. Now she looked completely irritated.

"What happened to 'Lauren deserves the truth?'" I tried to argue but she fumed before me. She began pacing slightly in front of me. "You know, you could at least try not to be such an ass! Don't give me some bull on how you ran around for a month and especially as a horse, tell me where the hell you went!"

I pushed myself up to my feet. I felt hurt that she didn't believe me but I forced myself to forgive her for it. Who would believe that story?

"Look, I know okay, I know it sounds crazy but it's true." I plead with my eyes for her to believe me, however she wouldn't budge.

"Oh yeah? How? How did you turn yourself into this horse?" She asked sarcastically.

"Lauren..."

"Show me. Prove it."

"What? I can't show..."

"Why not?! You've been a horse for a month, why can't you show me now?"

"Cause it took me a month to figure out how change back?! It was a onetime deal."

"With who? Wally?! Kevin, are you hearing yourself?! You sound..." I waited for her answer.

"Insane?" I tried.

"Yes!"

"I know. Okay, I know."

"Then tell me the truth."

"It is the..." I stopped and calmed myself down. Arguing with her would get us nowhere. "I don't know how he did it but he did. He healed the dog too! I mean that thing was basically dead and now..."

I stopped when she rolled her eyes. She looked down at the ground and sighed.

"I should go." She said barely over a whisper. My heart dropped, she hated me so much she'd rather be with her abusive father.

"Where?" I wouldn't let it happen, that man almost caused her death once I will not allow it to happen again. "Your not goin' home."

"Oh excuse me! Since when do you make my decisions?"

"Lauren, your father's 'friend' almost sent you to your death bed and you think your going back to him? Not to mention all the crap he put you through!"

"How do you know that?!" I sighed and glared back at her. It wasn't intending to be mean, It was to remind her that I already gave her that answer. "You know I probably would have believed you if you told me you were some secret spy sent to find out my life for some reason. Then again, my life isn't that interesting so maybe I wouldn't believe you."

Her sarcasm hit me hard. There is no way I'll get her to believe me. Why should she? I've been a jerk to her since we've met, it's a story told in a gosh darn fairytale and it makes me sound friggen creepy.

"Well, I'm gonna go." She began to turn and leave but somehow my hand reached out to stop her. Even I was surprised by my sudden move, but Laura looked at me with terrified eyes. It wasn't my intention to scare her but I couldn't let her leave, not to him.

"Please," I fought back the tears but they were noticeable as they hung at the edge. "Don't go back there. I can't..."

I breathed in to help bring back the tears. I waited a month to talk to her, tell her everything I felt but now I can't. No, remember your not supposed to tell her, I'm no good for her. My head dropped to the ground as I slowly released her arm from my grip. I sighed as I let her go, but I noticed she didn't leave. Instead I felt her slowly take a step towards me and her hand softly grabbed mine. I didn't know what kind of affection she was showing me but several emotions flooded my body.

"Look, I promise I'll be okay." I brought my eyes to hers. I scowled at her which explained that it wasn't good enough. "I'll even call you in the morning, if that makes you feel any better."

To be honest, it wasn't enough, but it was all I was going to get. Before I could answer, her arms were around me and her face was buried in my neck. It took me of guard for a moment before I returned the hug by putting my arms around her.

I didn't know exactly what to think but I selfishly enjoyed her comfort.

"I'm glad your okay," I heard her whisper into my neck. I leaned my chin against her hair.

"Me too." She slowly pulled away. She glanced in my eyes before turning to leave. I watched her go.

"Laura," I stopped her before she walked out the door. "If I don't get a phone call before ten, I will be stopping by."

She frowned before she turned to leave. Soon enough her engine started and slowly drifted away. I heard Aries pawing from the middle of the arena.

"Alright Aries, I'm sorry to do this but I need to go take care of something." I walked him back to his stall before turning the lights of and heading into the house. When I walked in the dog was eating dog food out of a bowl.

"What the hell?" I noticed a small piece of paper on the counter. I picked it up to read it.

Kevin,

I left a bag of dog food in the garage, take care of the dog and my horse. I will be gone for a week, personal reasons.

Wally

"That guy has issues." Like he knew what I was saying, the dog rose his head to glare at me. "Hey, just because he's nice doesn't make it not true."

The dog snorted and went back to his food.

"Alright, now the hard part." I walked to pick up the phone. It was about three in the morning but this call had to be made now. I waited as the phone dialed.

"Hello?" I heard the voice on the other end. "Who is this?"

"Mom, I'm home."