Mitchie paced the room, the tears falling down her cheeks.
Mara had joined them, saying that Brown heard a scream and went to investigate with the guys. That had been an hour ago.
Nat flicked through a magazine, trying to channel her fears into laughter as she silently thought of the worse case scenario.
Peggy and Lola had also joined them, comforting Mitchie in any way they could by singing soft melodies or offering to be awake whilst she slept.
None of that helped Mitchie in the slightest as she kept running what Shane had asked her about her best friend earlier in the day.
Caitlyn had been acting strange these past couple weeks and now the urge to endanger her life? There was something more than she let on. Mitchie had to find out by all means.
The door opened and a bruised and battered Nate entered.
"She's... okay." he told them. "She's in Brown's cabin with Connie."
Mitchie snapped out of her reverie, fisting his collar in her hands. "What happened?" she asked.
"We-We got chased by some wild dog and fell off a cliff." Nate cried. "I-I thought that she-she was going to die. I thought that I was going to die!"
Mara held a hand to her chest as tears fell down her cheeks. "What happened?" she repeated.
"They found us. They had to pull me up first because Caitlyn was holding onto me but when we got to getting her up, she-she nearly let go and fell. But she grabbed the rope and now she isn't talking. She isn't moving, or doing anything. She's just... I don't know! And it's all my fault!"
"You're damn right about it's your fault. We didn't want her to go!" Nat yelled at him.
"Nat! Don't say that!" Peggy scolded. "It's not your fault, Nate. Look, why don't you get cleaned up and when the rain stops, we'll all go and see her okay?"
Lola nodded. "Yeah, Peggy's right. I'll sort out your cuts." she offered.
"I don't have any... spare clothes so I'm just going to head back. But thanks." Nate sniffled.
Peggy and Lola smiled, encouraging Mitchie to take notice. "What are friends for?"
"I'll see you later then." Nate mumbled, leaving.
Mitchie stared at her now empty hands and sobbed. "I could have lost her. And I'm already losing her to something that I don't even know about!"
"Oh, Mitch." Mara cooed, hugging her as her own tears fell. "She's okay. I promise."
Nat agreed. "She's a tough cookie," she added, joining the hug.
Mara gestured to Lola and Peggy and they smiled, hugging Mitchie too.
"She'll be fine."
...
Connie continued to gently stroke Caitlyn's hair as tears freely slid down the young woman's cheeks. Her stoic features sent goosebumps on Connie's body as she sighed.
"Caitlyn, my child?" she gently whispered.
Caitlyn only shivered in reply.
"I'm here. It's just us, you can tell me anything."
Caitlyn finally looked up at Connie. "I'm sick." she told her quietly.
Connie's heart sank as she gulped. "In what way, my honey?"
"I... I'm bipolar." Caitlyn finally said, bringing her knees up into her chest. "I kept it from Mitchie and when I nearly died, I found myself regretting that I never told her."
"How long have you known for?"
"Three months. I didn't want to be treated differently. I wanted everything to be as normal as it possibly could. And now, when Nate finds out, he'll leave me."
Connie shook her head. "He wouldn't! And Mitchie wouldn't too! They both love and cherish you and will be by your side no matter what! We will all be there for you."
"I... I just don't know what to do any more. I'm afraid I'll have a breakdown. It's nearly the anniversary of Catherine's death."
The eldest Torres female sighed in despair as she gently laid Caitlyn's head against her chest. "Do you miss her?"
"Of course I do! Cath was my sister! And she was always there for me."
"They still haven't found the guy who did it, right?"
Caitlyn nodded. "The trail has gone cold. They've closed the case. That's why my parents were calling me. They can't find the asshole who murdered my big sister in front of her children."
"Have you spoken to her husband?"
"Is it bad if I say 'no'?"
"Caitlyn...!"
Caitlyn cried, pushing away from Connie. "I can't face him! I'll just be a constant reminder that his wife's dead. At her funeral, he said I had her eyes! I have her eyes, Connie!"
Connie could see that she was becoming more distressed by the minute so she sighed. "You should sleep. The adrenaline is still running high from your scare."
"Stay with me? Please?"
"Always, Caitlyn." Connie smiled sadly.
"Always." Caitlyn repeated.
...
Nate found himself staring at his phone, his fingers brushing over the 'call' button a few times.
He had long since kicked out Leon for the night so he had to stay with Sander and Barron and Nate found himself even more lonelier than before.
He finally pressed 'call' and smiled when he heard her voice.
"How is he?"
"He's fine. Can't wait to speak with you." The female replied.
"Can I speak with him, please? I know it's late but... something happened and I just need to hear his voice."
The female became alarmed. "What happened? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, but that's a story for another time."
"Well, you're lucky it's a weekend. I'll pass the phone to him."
Nate sighed in relief when he heard a child's voice.
"Daddy?"
"Hey, Bud. How's my little Brayden doing?"
"I'm fine. It's really dark outside! Mommy said that it's way past my bedtime but I can talk to you!"
Nate grinned. "Yeah, you can talk to me. So, go on and tell me how your week went."
Who's the woman? Any guesses? And do you think Caitlyn will confess all? All happens next chapter in The Reunion!