Note: Review Replies are at the bottom now! And I've started another story but I need feedback from you, should I post it before or after this one is done? It would cut down on update speed but you'd be getting two stories . . . Let me know! Also, this chapter is a little rushed, I'll admit, let me know if you spot any issues/typos/gaping plot holes. Thanks!

Chapter 11: Dearest Satin

It couldn't be . . . It just couldn't be. She'd said they'd always have each other. This wasn't supposed to happen to them.

Satin's hands shook as she laid the letter down on the bed. Natalie would never say things like that. She knew Natalie, she'd grown up with Natalie, Natalie wasn't like everyone else . . . Natalie wouldn't give her up like this . . .

The tears clogged her throat and blurred her vision as she stared at the words. They couldn't be true. Natalie wouldn't write that.

. . . I just couldn't take it anymore . . .

The words swam in front of her.

. . . Never meant to hurt you . . .

Rising, Satin began to gather her things. She couldn't stay here, she had to know the truth. Something was wrong . . . Natalie wouldn't say those things . . . She wouldn't do this to her.

Pausing, she began to think it through. If she was going to see Natalie it was best to slip away when she wouldn't be noticed. Grabbing up an old backpack of Natalie's she'd brought, she began to fold clothes and lay them inside it along with the small amount of cash she had that Natalie had given her. If anyone asked she was just walking into town, it wasn't that far. She would be going to go buy some sewing supplies. She'd be on a bus out of town by the time they realized she wasn't back yet. She had to get to Natalie . . .

She had to know why.

"Can you grab two of those for me, Wilt?" Frankie asked, gesturing to an economy sized can of ketchup on the top shelf, "Only a row to go, bud, and we'll be home free."

Wilt smiled genuinely at Frankie as he carefully placed the cans in the cart. She'd been really nice to him today, taking him over to the park to shoot some hoops on the new courts then stopping in at one of his favorite restaurants, Health Nut, for a quick snack. Now he was helping her with the shopping, like he usually did, by getting the harder to reach things. He felt . . . Well, not better exactly, but removed from the problem. It was nice to get out with Frankie and just run around for a bit, it cleared his head, made him stop and think about how he felt. Satin was his friend, yes, he wished it were more but . . . At least she was happy and he could be happy for her. After all, he didn't want her to worry about him, he cared about her too much to see her upset.

"Hey, Frankie. I'm sorry about being so sad earlier . . ." he said, looking down at her.

Frankie grinned, "Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're feeling better. And believe me, you take that kind of thing a lot better than me. Last time, I locked myself in my room all day with a carton of Ben and Jerry's and a pile of romance comedies. It cured the heartache well enough but Mister Herriman wasn't too happy!"

Wilt laughed, remembering the scene the next morning when Mister Herriman had used the master key to the house to unlock Frankie's door and rouse her. He'd been thoroughly scolding her about her house duties and she just strolled out into the hall with a cheerful, "Good morning!" and went to work. He'd been obviously confused and had hopped back to his office muttering, "Yes, yes. Very well then."

As they finished out the last row, Frankie glanced up at Wilt, "Are you ready? We have to head back soon."

Wilt sighed, he knew he had to go back, he just wished he felt more prepared for it, "I'll be okay. Let's go."

Wilt stretched his legs across the first row of seats, enjoying the chance to do so. The groceries were all nestled in the back corner by the door where they wouldn't scatter too badly. Frankie turned on the radio that she kept stashed under her seat (where Bloo couldn't find it) and the bus was filled with the sound of Tom Petty clipping off the verses of "You Wreck Me". Frankie grinned and sang along, bobbing her head to the music. Wilt smiled at the familiar sight and nodded his head as well, staring out the window at the passing sights of the city. The day seemed fresher now, clearer, more crisp than this morning. Maybe he could live with heartache after all . . .

The buildings outside the window even seemed brighter. He found himself smiling as they passed a costume store called Two Faced where a child and his imaginary friend were trying on masks in the window.

Satin passed by the bus, a backpack on her back and a ribbon in her hair.

Wilt did a double take, but they'd turned a corner and she was out of sight. He took a moment to puzzle it out, why would Satin be this far in town? She sometimes went into town to buy thread and needles but she'd told him not long ago that she had all the supplies she needed for awhile . . . and, she'd been carrying a backpack. Finally, figuring his eye was playing tricks on him, he turned his attention back to the music and the ride home.

They were met at the door by a frantic Crackers and a concerned Mister Herriman. Eduardo, Coco, Mac, and Bloo stood in a huddled group close by, looking worried as well. Crackers was crying as he bounded up to Frankie and hugged her ankle.

"What's going on?" Frankie asked, picking up Crackers and petting his head to calm him.

"I am afraid, Miss Francis, that Miss Satin has vacated the premises." Mister Herriman replied, taking a step forward, "This was found in her quarters."

Frankie accepted the slip of paper and began to read it, "Oh no . . ."

"What is it?" Wilt asked, worried.

Frankie held it up so that he could read as well.

Dearest Satin,

There's no easy way to start this letter because it's a letter I never planned on writing. I know that when I left you at Foster's I swore I'd write you everyday but . . .

Satin, I've grown up.

I'm in college now and I'm afraid I don't have the time to give you the attention you deserve. I know we weren't supposed to end up like this. I know that I promised I'd never leave. I know I failed you Satin, and I'm sorry.

To be perfectly honest, I wasn't going to write at all but . . . I just couldn't take it anymore. I felt so guilty leaving you behind without a real explanation. You see, Satin, moving wasn't the reason I gave you up. I gave you up because I outgrew you. I lied to you to keep you happy.

I never meant to hurt you, I just wanted you to feel like you were still needed . . . But, I've realized that's not what's best for you. It's not fair to you to keep you tied to me when you should be looking for a new kid, a new life. I'm sorry for not telling you the truth but what can I say? I'm a coward. I couldn't bring myself to face you. I tried, I tried hundreds of times, but I always caved in in the end.

This shouldn't have happened. If I were better, if I were stronger, like you, it wouldn't have.

I love you, I'm sorry and I hope you can forgive me someday.

Your creator, your sister, your friend,

Natalie

Wilt trembled and looked into Frankie's eyes, "We need to get back on the bus."

"What?" Frankie asked, "Wilt, what are you talking about?"

"I saw Satin walking through town today! I thought I was just seeing things!" He put his hand over his eye stalks in dismay, how could he have been so stupid!

"Do you remember where you saw her?" Frankie asked, setting Crackers down and pulling out her keys.

"I think it was by that costume store on Southland!" he said quickly, his hand on the door.

"Mr. Herriman?" Frankie looked towards the master of the household for permission.

"Yes, I do believe a search party is in order." Mister Herriman replied, "Though I would suggest you solicit the assistance of some of your compatriots."

"We'll help!" Mac said, coming closer.

"Si, Eduardo do not want for Satin to get caught by strangers."

"Coco cococo coco!"

"Bloo Q. Kazoo to the rescue!" Bloo cried, one hand thrust dramatically into the air, "Who're we saving again?"

"I'm coming too!" Cracker's announced, after which Frankie scooped him up and placed him in her jacket pocket.

Frankie nodded to Wilt who threw open the doors and headed outside, worried sick. The groceries were left on the doorstep for Mister Herriman to sort out as the friends piled into the bus.

Wilt sat up front, two seats behind Frankie. Why didn't he expect this? He should have thought that something like this had happened when he saw Satin in town. Now he wasn't even sure if he knew what she'd been wearing. How were they going to find her?

The others asked about the contents of the letter so it was passed back to Mac, who read it aloud. To Wilt the words were an assault on the ears, reminding him bitterly of his time with James. He also knew what it felt like to be lied to. He could still remember James' words from the day he'd turned him out . . .

He'd been standing in the doorway when Wilt had gotten home from his walk. His eyes had been hard, angry, the way they were when he was playing basketball. He had put his arm across the door when Wilt walked up.

"What is it, James?" Wilt had asked, when he hadn't allowed him in the house.

"You don't live here anymore." James had replied coldly.

"I'm sorry, maybe I didn't hear you rig-"

"You heard me fine." James had snapped, "You don't live here anymore."

"You're abandoning me." it was more of a statement than a question.

"That's right."

"I'm sorry but, Why? Did I do something wrong?" Wilt asked, concerned that maybe he had upset James in some way.

"Don't you get it?" James asked, "I only adopted you to get on the team! Now that you've taught me all you know . . ."

"You don't want me anymore." Wilt found himself saying.

"I didn't really want you in the first place, Dad told me to adopt you." James had replied. He was so casual, so cruel. Where was the boy he'd practiced with for two years? Where was the boy who'd drop anything to watch the Apple Dumplings play? Where was the boy he'd celebrated with last night? The boy who'd been so happy to be picked for the basketball team?

He'd never really existed in the first place . . .

Dear sweet Satin . . . Where was she now? Was she all right? Would they find her?

It was a dangerous world out there for imaginary friends . . .

Crackers had climbed out of Frankie's pocket and had managed to get up into the seat next to Wilt. He saw Wilt's far off, worried look and patted his leg, saying, "Wilt, do you think we'll find her?"

Wilt looked down at Crackers and lifted him up in his hand. "He and I are in the same boat really." Wilt thought, "We've both lost her now."

For Cracker's assurance as much as his own he replied, "We'll find her. Everything's going to be okay."

Review Replies:

Kia1334: I know I update fast. I have a lot of free time between my college courses (which I should spend cleaning my room instead of writing but I can't help it!) and the homework I'm generally issued isn't due until the end of the month or next week so I can keep up pretty well. I also generally stay up until one or two in the morning because it's the only time I can do whatever I want without my parents asking me to do stuff (I'm like Wilt, I can't seem to say no). Don't feel bad about updating slow, it just means you have a life and I don't! lol!

Hey, writing can get tough sometimes. I should know, I've had writer's block pretty much ever since I graduated high school (two years . . . shudder). This is the first project I've started that really seems to be working! Just relax and, for me anyway, it helps to watch the show before writing too.

Are you talking about Chapter 14 of your sequel to Tears of Blood? I'm still reading Tears of Blood, so it'll take me awhile to get to it. I'll give you suggestions when I get there if you like.

I'm happy someone's getting pleasure out of reading this.

Lol, reading fan-fiction instead of studying for an English test? Yay! I have a devotee! I can't say anything, I play solitaire and check my e-mail in my computer class.
Yeah, don't want to keep Wilt up too late. I'll need him for the next big chapter . . . Lol, he would be the coolest date though, wouldn't he!

Pools-of-sorrow: It's nice to know that people like this story so much, I thought it would be a flop. Here's the update and we'll see about just how much heart break Wilt has to go through . . .

Cheeseisawesome: I love cliffhangers, they get everyone riled up! Lol! Hope ya like this chapter!