Here's the next chapter. I think this one is my best chapter. Please, I'd really like to know if anyone is reading this. Please review just to at least tell me that someone is. It would be greatly appreciated.

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Chapter 5: Left Behind

Sure enough, there was a gentle knock on my bedroom door at 3:30 AM the next night . Oh no, I thought. I had been hoping that he would change his mind. The door opened a few inches.

"Are you ready?" Christian whispered.

I sighed. "Yes, I'm coming." I tiptoed out into the hall. We crept down the stairs, praying that none of them would creak under our weight, and slipped out the front door. I could now see him clearly with the help of the streetlights.

"Christian, you only have two suitcases!" I exclaimed.

He chuckled. "One." He held up one suitcase. "This is just my typewriter."

"Come on. You can't survive with just that."

He just shook his head and smiled. "I assure you, I'll be fine. I told you, I'm going to join the Bohemians, live a penniless existence, write about-"

"Truth, beauty, freedom, and love," I cut in. "I know, I know. I've heard it only about a thousand times in the past day." I laughed. "You and Father are absolutely nothing alike."

"When did you figure that out?" He laughed, running his hand through my hair. I tried not to think about how much I would miss him.

We walked the rest of the way to the train station in silence. I would glance up at him every now and then and see the cheerful expression on his face. I also noticed how energetically he was walking; I almost expected him to start skipping. I couldn't remember a time when he looked as happy as he did then.

When we arrived at the train station, he bought his ticket and then stood next to me in front of the train.

"It won't be long," he said. Neither of us said anything for a few moments. We didn't know what to say. I broke the silence.

"Christian, you must write to me at least once a week," I told him sternly. "Don't forget!"

He smiled. Oh, how I would miss that wonderful, charming smile. "I won't forget," he said. "I promise."

"You know," I began cautiously. "You don't have to go. You can stay here in London and write. Father will have to give in and let you write after awhile. It's not too late to go back."

"No, no." He shook his head. "I have to go."

"Are you certain?"

He smiled, gazing at the train. His ride to freedom. "Yes. I've never been more certain of anything in my life. I can feel it."

I looked down. Those words hurt. I struggled to find the right words to say to him after that.

"I'll be the first one in line to buy your first book," I stated. "You'll be a famous writer in no time." Tears sprang to my eyes, and I had to look away.

"Becca," he said softly, reaching out and gently stroking my cheek. I looked into his beautiful blue-green eyes that sparkled with passion. "I will miss you so much. You are the only one who remotely understands and supports me. The only one who has never ridiculed any of my ideas. You have no idea how much that means to me." I believed every word he said back then. I believed that he was sincere, that he would actually miss me that much. His eyes, his smile--they hypnotized me.

He glanced back at the train and grinned. Even though I didn't want to admit it back then, I could tell he was anxious for the train to call everyone aboard so he could begin his adventure. He was finally leaving, escaping from the place that had imprisoned him for his entire life. And he was leaving me behind.

A shout came from the train. "All aboard!"

"Well, I'm off," he said, and gave me a hug and a kiss on my forehead. "Goodbye, Rebecca."

"Goodbye," I replied faintly. He approached the train, but hesitated before walking up the steps. My heart leapt. He's changing his mind! I thought.

He looked around for a few moments, taking in his surroundings. Much to my dismay, he shook his head, turned back around, and walked up the steps. The door snapped shut behind him, destroying what hope I had left. I searched frantically for him through the windows. As the train lurched forward and rolled along, I ran after it, expecting him to appear any second and at least wave goodbye. I ran until I couldn't keep up any longer, eventually realizing that I wouldn't find him.

He didn't want to be found.

I slowly walked home, preparing for the wrath of my father and life without my dear brother.

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I really hope someone out there is reading this and that they're enjoying it. Even if only one person is, then it's worth continuing. I'm starting to feel like I've failed. Thank you to all those who reviewed before.