"Hi," a dark haired girl reminding me so much of Lynn says sticking out her hand for a shake. I obliged gently grasping the girl's long pale fingers then dig my shivering hand back inside my fuzzy corduroy pocket. "I'm Erin. Welcome to Anchor".
Her full mauve lips part making a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. She must be a patient. Her black tresses move like serpents in the Georgia breeze. It's another world down here.
I shed my coat as the sun begins rise over the tops of the apple trees. We retrieve my belongings from the blue taxi. I hastily pull a twenty from my purse. Austin covers the crumpled bill with his hand letting his fingers wrap over mine. "I got it," He murmurs in a hushed tone. He turns; his back stiff and unwelcoming. Something has changed. We've grown into two completely different people since my kidnapping.
I haven't gotten all the facts. They seemed to have dissipated with the familiarity of my past life. I don't question them fully. I've learned where my place is. Maybe to avoid more trouble I have accepted my fate and where it has dropped me off in front of a no-nonsense rectangular building with red and beige walls. But when I look into the eyes of a former love I remind myself who put me in the "loony bin".
Erin grabs my duffle bag heading straight for the front doors not looking back. I think the taxi is too much for her. I haul my suitcase heaving my backpack over my shoulder. "Here let me get that," Austin says snatching at the plastic handle of the suitcase. I jerk it closer to me in reply as I follow Erin who has disappeared behind the glass doors. "I'll call you," His voice follows up the path chasing my bitterness away. I drop the suitcase and run not giving it another bristling thought. My head hits his chest full force and I think I've knocked the breath right out of him. His heartbeat sounds like a thousand galloping hooves and I can't tell if it's because he's memorizing my touch as his fingers graze over the top of my head or just playing nice because I can't make up my damn mind anymore (what's left of it anyway.)
"I'm sorry Sam. I'm so sorry." He says choking on memories and salty tears that stem inside his throat.
"Forgive me," I gasp gripping the soft flesh of his arms just above each elbow. He knows exactly what I'm talking about.
"It's all my fault," He nods sniffling pulling me close for one last bear hug.
"Can it ever go back to the way it was?" I ask grasping for more like a stubborn child looking for the last sip of Coke beneath the ice caps.
"I…" Pain in his eyes. I can see it. Hell, I can even feel his heart stop. But it's not because of me. I didn't hear the gunshot. I just felt the jolt of his chest against the side of my face and when we both hit the ground I knew it was the last time we'd ever be that close. I wrestle from beneath him planting both of my palms firmly atop his cheekbones.
Something kills the light switch behind his ethereal irises.
"Good riddance," a voice echoes in reply encumbered by malice and vengeance. My head snaps in the direction of the shooter. A young pretty Native American girl stands like a warrior entrenched with satisfaction as her eyes take note of Austin's writhing body.
"Nova?" My voice shakes uncontrollably as I continue to stroke Austin's scalp.
"Yes, it's me." She laughs tossing her head defiantly.
"Why?" I scream lying Austin's head gently down before rising.
"I don't believe in happy endings," She shrugs pointing the Glock at my chest.
"Do it," I challenge kneeling down before her. "Please. Think of it as a favor for me".
She frowns. "aller se faire voir chez les grecs". The Glock sits on her tongue like a pink waterbed. I turn my head ignoring the blast as I focus on the rise and fall of Austin's chest. A pool of blood has secreted around him like the wings of snow angels.
000 000 000
Paralysis. Alive except for the lower half of his body. He doesn't know yet. I can't go see him. My brand spanking new therapist absolutely forbids it. "You've been through more than anyone else I know," She says wanly as if it was some sort of achievement. I can tell the other patients are in awe of me. I don't know why. I haven't fought the establishment against my banning from the hospital. I think it's because I don't want to see the look on Austin's face when he finds out that his legs are useless and he'll never walk again. I can't take another blow. Neither can he.