Chapter 12: Ben

I wake in the velvety darkness of night. Something has happened to Alex. I hear something in the kitchen and I get up. When I enter, I see Juliet at the table. "Juliet, how did you get in?" "I used the key you gave me. I couldn't sleep." "So you thought you'd come to my empty house for company. Very smart." She blushes. "Heard anything from Tom or Richard yet?" "No, not yet. They said they'd radio me if they found anything. I woke up, and I just had a really weird feeling. Something to do with Alex." She looks up. I continue. "She left me a note, you know. Telling me she loves me, but she loves Karl just as much. She couldn't even tell me that in person. She couldn't even say goodbye to me! She left it in a note, a not that told me she loves Karl more than me, and she doesn't care if she dies. That she's run away to be with Karl." I'm sobbing silently. "She's my daughter, and she left me for Karl. And she couldn't even tell me that!" I bury my face in my hands. Then I feel Juliet's arms around my shoulders. I turn and face her. Why is she doing this? I look straight into her eyes, then I reach up and kiss her. It is a sad and sweet moment. Then she pulls away, shaking her head. "No, stop." She leaves me alone in my empty house, with my heart breaking.