CHAPTER 20
I would do anything for love
I'd run right into hell and back
I would do anything for love
But I'll never lie to you, and that's a fact
-Meat Loaf, "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)"
After Alison's disclosure, an awkward silence filled the room. It lasted only a moment, after which Rafe released a hearty laugh.
Alison stared at him, absolutely bewildered.
"I'm sorry," Rafe laughed. "I thought you just said I was dead. Come on, Alison. Now, tell me the truth. What really happened?"
"Rafe, you were dead," Alison repeated, this time more firmly.
Rafe stopped laughing and took a good look at his friend. Her face was red, her big blue eyes full of tears. She looked so upset, like she actually believed her story, but he knew it couldn't be true. It just couldn't!
"Alison," he said gently, brushing a loose piece of hair away from her face. "I think that these past couple days have been a little too stressful for you, and my coming over here and waking you up so early probably didn't help. Lucy said you were up late last night and that you need your sleep, so why don't you just get some rest? We can talk later…"
He stood.
"No, Rafe!" exclaimed Alison, jumping up and grasping his forearm. "You can't go. You really need to listen to me. There are things about you that only I know, and you need to know them, too, as soon as possible. Please, just listen to what I have to say, and then you can go. Please."
He noticed the terror in her eyes. What was so important?
Rafe sat down again, determined to find out.
"Alright, Alison," said he. "I'm listening."
"Thank you," Alison replied, taking a deep breath.
She had to calm down and tell him. She had to make him believe her.
It was truly a matter of life and death...
I would do anything for love
I'd run right into hell and back
I would do anything for love
But I'll never lie to you, and that's a fact
-Meat Loaf, "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)"
After Alison's disclosure, an awkward silence filled the room. It lasted only a moment, after which Rafe released a hearty laugh.
Alison stared at him, absolutely bewildered.
"I'm sorry," Rafe laughed. "I thought you just said I was dead. Come on, Alison. Now, tell me the truth. What really happened?"
"Rafe, you were dead," Alison repeated, this time more firmly.
Rafe stopped laughing and took a good look at his friend. Her face was red, her big blue eyes full of tears. She looked so upset, like she actually believed her story, but he knew it couldn't be true. It just couldn't!
"Alison," he said gently, brushing a loose piece of hair away from her face. "I think that these past couple days have been a little too stressful for you, and my coming over here and waking you up so early probably didn't help. Lucy said you were up late last night and that you need your sleep, so why don't you just get some rest? We can talk later…"
He stood.
"No, Rafe!" exclaimed Alison, jumping up and grasping his forearm. "You can't go. You really need to listen to me. There are things about you that only I know, and you need to know them, too, as soon as possible. Please, just listen to what I have to say, and then you can go. Please."
He noticed the terror in her eyes. What was so important?
Rafe sat down again, determined to find out.
"Alright, Alison," said he. "I'm listening."
"Thank you," Alison replied, taking a deep breath.
She had to calm down and tell him. She had to make him believe her.
It was truly a matter of life and death...