antique rocking chair and sat down. "In the morning…"
"Kaitlin, I think you need to go back to bed. You're as white as a ghost."
"No, I'm - uh - fine, Emma." She said, dazed.
"You don't look it," Emma replied. "Now come on. I'm going to help you back to your room." she said, reaching to lift Kaitlin out of the chair and wrapping her arm around Kaitlin's waist.
I watched helplessly as Emma guided Kaitlin up the stairs. She was no longer glowing, and with her shoulders hunched over, she looked so fragile next to her sister. I followed them up and made my way back to the room my brother and I were sharing. I needed some time to think and began pacing back and forth in the match box size attic.
I hadn't had five minutes alone before Robert popped in.
"Hey, bro. Looks like we're out of here in the morning… and not a minute too soon if you ask me." He raised his eyebrows.
"I'm not leaving yet, Robert!"
He clinched his fist and exhaled. "Look man, I know you've developed a thing for that girl. But seriously, you've lost your focus; we have much more important things to worry about than satisfying your lust."
I rolled my eyes in frustration.
"What about Scott, Logan? Are you willing to walk away from finding him – stopping him?"
I walked to the small window that overlooked the back half of the property. I could almost make out the lake through the canopy of trees. "I can stay here and keep working."
"Working on what Logan? There's no reason for either of us to be here if he's not!
"I'm not going back, Robert."
"Uh, yes you are bro."
"Listen, Robert: classes don't start back for a few more weeks so no one will miss me…"
"This isn't open for discussion." He said, starting to pack the few things we'd brought with us.
"She could come with us."
"No she can't, Logan, and you know why that's not possible."
I twisted to face my brother. "I love her, Robert!" I confessed.
"Dude seriously," he scoffed. "You are in lust with her!" He shook his head and began pacing the room. "Don't get me wrong, I really do understand that her innocence's is refreshing, but would you please, for one minute, stop thinking about yourself and look at what you're doing to her! I mean she may –"
He snapped his head up at me with his jaw clenched. "Logan, please tell me you didn't look up her records!"
"I had to know Robert, but there was no record of her birth or death on file."
He rammed his fist into the dresser. "Logan what have you done? Does anyone know about this?"
I shook my head. "No one knows."
He threw his hands up in the air. "At least you did one thing right!"
"Robert, please. I know this sounds crazy; I know what the plan was… but–"
"But what?"
"I didn't expect to fall in love with her. I can't just walk away – could you?"
"You and I are very different Logan. I have self-control and you have none!" Anger filled his tone.
"Look, if you truly love her you would be willing to leave and not interfere with her life anymore than you already have."
"I know this sounds corny, but… do you believe in fate Robert?" I clenched my teeth awaiting his wrath.
"I'm sorry?" Robert laughed without humor.
"I think I was supposed to find her."
"Oh please, Logan. I think you've seen too many chick flicks," he paused. "Which reminds me – what about your girl back home?"
I shook my head and sighed. "Robert, she's not my girlfriend."
"You are really screwed up, you know that?"
I knew he was right but that didn't change how I felt. "I didn't really have a choice. The connection I feel with her is… I don't know how to explain it. But the first day we got here I should've run the other way."
"You're such an idiot, Logan. Do you think I didn't notice her too?" He yelled "But that doesn't give us the right to play with her feelings when we both know a relationship with her isn't possible!" He took an exaggerated breath. "Now let me dumb this down for you: You cannot stay here! And she cannot go with us! Got it? Besides, the only reason we're here is to stop Scott, not to find girlfriends!"
Exodus
Kaitlin
I couldn't stand to sit in my room any longer listening to the muffled arguing. I had to know what was going on. I jumped off my bed, ran down the hallway and pushed open the door. Robert was standing next to a bag full of clothes lying on top of his cot. I looked across the room to where Logan was standing staring at me.
"You're packin?'" I asked, glancing between the two of them.
Robert's eyes hardened. "Yes Kaitlin. We're leaving in the morning." He said with fury in every word.
I tried to keep calm as I crossed the room to Logan and wrapped my arms around his waist. "Please don't go," I pleaded, laying my head against his chest.
"He can't stay here!" Robert scolded.
I looked up into Logan's eyes. "Please, stay here… with me!"
Logan kissed my forehead but didn't say a word.
"No! He's leaving tomorrow! Even if I have to drag him out kicking and screaming… we will both be leaving tomorrow."
"No! Please," I pleaded, tightening my grip around Logan's waist.
Logan brushed his lips against my ear and whispered, "It's okay, don't worry. I'll come back… I love you, Lenny. You're my life now."
"Then why - why do you have to leave? We just got –" He pressed his fingers over my lips his eyes pleading for me not to say anymore. I whirled and ran at Robert, pounding both my fists against his chest. "Why? Why, Robert?"
"It's the best thing for you, Kaitlin." He said, grabbing my wrists.
"NO! What gives you the right to say what's best for me?"
"Don't make this harder than it has to be."
"Then STOP packin' Logan's things!" I demanded. "If you need to leave - then YOU leave!" I jerked away from him and collapsed onto the bed, covering my face with my hands. Tears freely streamed down my cheeks.
"Do you see what your selfishness has done, Logan? Are you happy now?"
"What? I didn't plan this Robert! And, contrary to what you think, I DO love her!"
"Sure you do… When have you ever loved anyone but yourself?"
Logan looked out the window, seeming to ignore his brother words.
"STOP! I know he loves me and he isn't selfish!" I sniffled, wiping the tears from my cheeks. "I love him, Robert"
Roberts's eyes softened. "I know you love him, Kaitlin." He sighed, turning his full attention on me. "I can see that, and that's the problem…"
I cut him off before he had a chance to go any further. "That's only a problem in your eyes!"
He stopped and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't think your father would see it that way."
I jumped up. "Are you threatenin' me?"
"No, just stating the facts."
"As you see 'em." I yelled.
"Robert. She's strong enough to handle the truth…" Logan broke in as he walked to stand beside me. I grabbed Logan's hand and held on as if my life depended on it.
"You stupid, immature," he paused. "Idiot! She shouldn't have to be. If you could've just stuck to the–"
For the first time all night Robert stopped himself from saying whatever he was thinking.
"What are you talking about? I don't understand…"
"It's okay, Kaitlin," Logan squeezed my hand. "Just remember what I told you."
"And what would that be, Logan?"
Logan cut his eyes at Robert. "It's between us. Come on, Lenny. Let me walk you back to your bedroom before someone comes up stairs and finds you in our room."
"No, Logan."
"Come on. It'll be okay."
"No, it won't… not if you leave."
"Please, Kaitlin." He folded his arms around me and cradled me against his chest.
"No! Let me go." I protested. We were supposed to have more time!
He guided me down the hall into my room and sat me down next to him. I sat there too dazed for words. He laid his arm around my neck and rested his cheek on the top of my head. I couldn't bear the thought of him leaving…
I shifted so I could see his face. In the paleness of the moonlight I saw a single tear slip down his cheek.
"Why–" before I could get the words out he pulled me back into his arms with such tenderness it took my breath away. "Logan, are you really leaving tomorrow?" I whispered, terrified to hear his answer.
He sighed. "I have to. But I promise I will come back to you! I'm not going to lose you."
"How long will you be gone?"
"I'm not sure, but you need to get some sleep."
"Will you stay with me?"
"I'll stay as long as I can.
"I love you, Logan."
"I love you more!" He laid on his side facing me and propped his head against his hand. "You're so beautiful," he whispered, gently tracing his finger down my cheek and the outline of my lips.
"Kiss me, Logan." I whispered.
With one swift twist, he covered my mouth with his. I twisted and plunged my hands into his hair, deepening the kiss.
With a deep groan, he dragged his mouth away. "Kaitlin, we have to stop."
"But it's our–"
"Kaitlin," he pleaded, and rolled over onto his back. "Now isn't the right time."
His words hung in the air as my heart broke with his rejection.
"Kaitlin?"
"I'm okay." I sniveled.
"Do you want me to leave?"
"No," I snapped, trying desperately to ignore the ache that had settled just behind my heart.
♦~♦~♦~♦
The sun was shining through my bedroom window, challenging me to open my eyes. I jerked my hand faster than my head could turn across my bed, feeling for Logan.
"NO!" I screamed. My heart-wrenching sobs filled the room.
"Honey - Honey what's wrong? Why are you cryin?'" Momma demanded, rushing over to my bed.
"Momma, I – I need to see Logan and… And Robert."
"Oh, Kaitlin. I'm sorry, they left first thing this mornin.'" She sat down on the bed beside me and gently ran her hand over my cheek, wiping my tears away.
"Did they say when they were going to come back?" I sniffled, trying to catch my breath.
"No, they didn't say," she paused. "Kaitlin, what has gotten into you? I've never seen you like this."
"I - I - I'm sorry, Momma."
"Don't be sorry." She tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Let me guess: you have feelin's for Logan?" I looked away and a fresh wave of tears ran down my cheeks. "I think I got my answer." She whispered, wrapping me in her tight embrace.
"I didn't get to say goodbye!" I cried.
Rebellion
Logan
"Logan, you did the right thing by leaving, you know that, right?" Robert said, leaning against the doorframe of my room.
I nodded, the response he wanted, and tossed my duffle bag on my bed.
"I mean don't get me wrong, she was beautiful, but not worth risking your life over. And seriously man, how could you even consider staying in that time when you know what's about to happen to that town?"
I cringed at his words. I'd read enough history books to know exactly what was in store for most of the families there. What I didn't understand was why I couldn't find any information on a Kaitlin Williamson. There was no record of her birth or death. It was as if she never existed, but the vice gripping my chest was proof that she had.
I needed to get some answers and I knew exactly where to find them. "Robert, I'm going to head out for a while. I'll be back in time for the meeting."
"Alright man, see you there."
I grabbed my phone and headed out the front door of my parents estate. When I stepped outside the cool breeze and lack of humidity was the first thing that hit me. The climate was so different from the east coast. Over the past month I'd somehow gotten use to the sweltering heat, or at least learned to tolerate it.
I pulled the cover off my retrofitted Chevy and sank down into snug fitting leather.
"Good morning, Sir."
"Morning," I replied automatically to the cars computerized chauffeur.
"Where would you like me to drive you, Sir?"
"I'll drive myself today, Ben." I exhaled.
"Yes, Sir."
It felt good to be behind the wheel again. I pushed the pedal to the floor as I made my way through the canyon roads, only