Ian's pov:
What happened to her? She was nothing like he could remember. Maybe deep down, but on top there was nothing. She was hiding something, he knew that much, yet the question was: who was she protecting, herself or him? Furthermore she didn't look like the Charley, he knew years ago. Her skin was tanned and dirty, her hair smelled of sweat, rum and dirt, finger nails were grubby and bit short, her boots were muddy and worn out. However her clothes were dirty too, foul smelling, as well as loose and need patching up at places, but Ian noticed it was her uniform. She still wore her uniform. Was it the only thing she kept from her life in London?
Standing in the doorway of the kitchen, Ian's eyes fixed on the sleeping Charley who was lying on the sofa. She didn't say much while walking to his house, or when they entered. What could she say? It had been too long for hellos and how are you. Been many moons without saying a word. It was like they were complete strangers. Something which broke his heart. Something which he kept hidden and locked away from the world, as he had learnt many things about the world he lived in. No one survived if their weaknesses were obvious.
Hearing a soft movement, Ian's gaze moved towards the dog, he watched as the dog moved onto his right side. Shadow. That was his name, Shadow? A trusty friend to Charley, Ian noticed that straight away, he had first-hand experience what the animal was like in a fight. A protector. He would fight until death for Charley. Protect her in any means of having her safe from harm. Loyal to his job- to be always there for Charley, day and night, warn her for any dangers. A close friendship.
Moving his eyes back onto Charley, Ian raised his glass and sipped the remains of rum. It made him think of the others and even himself, were like Shadow? Were they always there for her, or were they trustworthy, or loyal, or protect her? He had thought so, but if it was true, they wouldn't be where they would be, right? He had cared for Charley, since she was young, he helped her mother, though it meant his job and loyalty was questioned, but he couldn't see his best friend's wife and daughter live a life full of uncertainty and looking over their shoulders. Yet it seemed his friend had done that on all his own. It didn't matter how hard Ian tried, his boss was always a step ahead- causing Charley and her mother to run and hide. He was a double agent. He couldn't afford to lose his job, he had grown into it and it grew into him. However it didn't matter how close he was to his boss, it seemed Ian couldn't understand him, how he worked and thought. He was always planning. Always driving. Always hunting. Always seeking. But nothing seemed to feed his hunger.
Turning around, Ian walked back into the kitchen and sat down at the table. He placed the now empty glass on wooden table. He just stared at it. His eyes fixed as if it was something interesting, yet it had awaken deep feelings and memories from the past. He had spent many times sitting in the kitchen, drinking his worry and panic away, telling himself things would get better, but thinking back, he saw what a fool he had been.
Charley had ran away a few times, making him feel scared, worried and nothing he could explain. He thought of the worse. No one had seen her. He knew he had let Charley's mother and father down. He failed doing his duty of a guardian. Furthermore when he found out Charley was nowhere to be seen for the last time, Ian felt alone, angry with Charley, his boss but also his himself, and scared of what might had happened. Quickly he had heard rumours of her being dead. He didn't want to believe of such things. He couldn't. Yet one by one his hope of her being alive was dropping. Everyone around him whispered. Everyone talked behind his back. Everyone looked down at him. They all believed in the lies, which he called the rumours. But seeing Faith in the uniform of their enemy, Charley's and her own enemy, looking pale and ill, he knew things were changing. She too didn't believe Charley was forever gone. She held onto her hope along with himself. But one day their hope, their faith, their love for Charley crumbled. Their shelter from the rumours caved in, blocking the outside world from their reach. He had truly failed his duty and his best friend and Charley's mother.
Constantly he went through what to say, if he ever saw his friend again, but how could you put grief of a loved one and someone so young into words? Though they didn't find Charley's body, people still believed she was dead. Maybe something within Ian still held hope for her being alive. Yet that battle was never won.
Reaching his hands out, he let them wrap around the empty glass, letting himself feel something. He was confused, angry, upset, but also happy, they all mixed together within. He couldn't remember why he was walking in the town, he should have been in bed asleep, but something kept him awake. Was it the old ghosts which lived in Port Royal, ones from his past and too close to home? Or was it the reminder of an event, which changed three lives in one night? He didn't know. His mind was too busy on Charley. He couldn't believe he had found her after all the years of not hearing anything from her, or seen her! He had to check if Charley was still sleeping on the sofa, making sure it weren't his imagination, though seeing her still there gave him a warm feeling. Although he had many questions, he didn't know how to ask without causing pain and pushing her away. He just wanted her back into his life, to be safe and sound once again, but he knew they couldn't pick up from where they left, like a book, they both had questions, answers and a heart, maybe some things were meant to be kept hidden.