Chapter 7

"Hello?" Debbie answered

Cole hesitated

"Hello?" Debbie said again

"Debbie, it's me…how are you?" Cole asked troubled

"Fine?" she answered confused

"How's the girls?" He asked

"Fine" Debbie said again plainly.

Cole fought the feelings of resentment he felt towards her.

"Debbie…I need you to stay at your mother's…there's a killer on the loose, and he attacked at the neighbors house…I want the girls…and you safe" Cole said

"Cole…are you ok?" Debbie asked

Cole was shocked that she asked, or even cared.

"I'll be fine…just do as I said…I'll call you as soon I know more…give the girls a kiss for me" he said swallowing hard.

"Ok….bye…Cole" Debbie said and hung up.

Cole looked back across the room at Phoebe. The detective was outside waiting for Michael to arrive.

Phoebe felt Cole come up behind her, and felt his heart beating as he pressed himself against her back.

She turned and looked up at him. She reached up and touched his cheek. Cole closed his eyes and let out a shaky sign. His body was trembling and so was Phoebe's. He kissed her hand and Phoebe pushed him back.

"Cole, I am sorry, we can't!" Phoebe said suddenly

Phoebe tried to walk away, but he grabbed her arms firmly.

"Phoebe, I love you, I always have!"

"Cole, let go… don't do this!"

"Why are you pushing me away Phoebe?" He asked and walked across the room in frustration.

"You are the one that left and got married Cole!" Phoebe stood up and shouted.

"I left?" Cole shouted walking back up to her.

"Yeah, that's right! I came home from my trip and you were engaged!" Phoebe shouted in his face.

Cole stood inches from her face, and stared down at her with wild eyes.

"I came to find you, and your father told me to leave you alone, he said you were too young, and I couldn't give you what you deserved…he was right!" Cole said in a low emotional voice.

Phoebe stood there and stared up at him. All these years she thought Cole didn't care, and just left her.

Just then they heard a truck coming up the drive way. Phoebe looked out the window, and saw Michael getting out of the truck.

She looked back at Cole. She was so torn, and confused, and she felt panicked. So much had took place, she felt like she was having a nervous break down.

"Phoebe!" Michael said bolting through the door, "Are you ok?" He asked throwing his arms around her.

Cole stared at them for a second and then put his hands on his hips in disgust and turned to the window.

Phoebe started to cry.

Cole looked over his shoulder at them.

"Cole, what the hell happened Cole?" Michael asked with fear on his face.

Cole slowly spun around and looked at both Phoebe and Michael with a smirk on his face.

Phoebe looked nervous, and stared at Cole.

"I heard a scream when I was…." Cole paused, "I knew Phoebe was alone…so I ran toward your house…." Cole said swallowing hard.

"It's all my fault, I shouldn't have left you!" Michael said sincerely, and held Phoebe tight.

Cole nodded and then looked at Phoebe.