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Literature Text
Chapter 14: In Morning’s Light
Theodore watched the hours change on his clock and he heard Liam get up. He waited to hear if Anna would follow after him, but she remained sleeping. Caiti stirred and opened her eyes at Theodore and blinked a few times before she looked around her.
“This is your room?”
“Yes. Do you remember last night?”
“Kind of,” she said, squeezing his hand, “we were talking and then I got a call from my sister and she hung up to text me and I couldn’t breathe. The next thing I remember is hearing Dr. Phish and then you were there holding me. You’ve witnessed one of my panic attacks.”
“I just wondered what you remembered about last night.”
“I started to panic because I got worried that I’d have to leave you,” she looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
“Why would you have to leave me?”
“I guess it’s time I tell you what I remember…” She took several deep breaths and pressed herself as close to him as she could before she started, “I don’t remember everything that happened that night. I don’t remember why I was out alone or what I was even doing. I remember someone coming at me and severe pain and being scared that I was dead. I guess my parents tracked my phone and had the cops go after me because they thought I ran away. The cops found me beaten and bruised and with my left leg not working any more. My bruises and cuts healed but my leg never did as you know. They arrested the guy and he went through the system and my parents never believed me that I was attacked. They just thought I was out whoring myself and a customer got violent with me or something. May, my little sister, believed me, but when my parents kicked me out I told her I would be fine and that if she was ever in trouble or someone died she could always call me.”
She took a break to take a shaky breath and continued, “Last night May called me. She was frantic and then she asked if I had texting and when I said yes she hung up and sent me a massive text saying our parents had gotten letters. One from the guy and one from the city or something, she wasn’t sure so I don’t know. Apparently he escaped and found out where I used to live and I got scared thinking about what if I have to move, what if I have to give up my life here, what if what if what if and my panic attack started in. I couldn’t breathe. No matter how much air I took into my body or how fast it felt like it was never enough so I looked outside and my neighbor was getting ready for work so I had him drive me to the hospital and you know the rest from there.”
Theodore nodded and rubbed her head, “Let me talk with Liam about something. You just sit here for a minute and relax. If you need me the kitchen is right down the hall or you can call my name and I’ll be right here.” He kissed her head and she watched him walk out the door.
Theodore walked to the kitchen and sat across from Liam at the kitchen island. Taking a deep breath he spoke, “Liam, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“Good morning to you too. What’s up?”
“That girl I’ve been seeing…”
“Yeah, Caiti.”
“Yes. There’s something going on and I was wondering if she might be able to move in.”
“Have you told her anything about Anna and me?”
“Nothing other than you’re my friends and you two are engaged and we live in your house.”
Liam thought for a while before speaking, “Anna still hasn’t met the girl or I’d have seen more of her around or at least heard more of her from Anna. Let her decide. She lives here too. It’s not just a decision between you and me. I wouldn’t feel right saying yes or no without Anna’s knowledge or input.”
Theodore nodded and stood, stumbling. Liam spoke, “I’ll talk with Anna about it soon. Go get some sleep. Whatever happened you’ve been up all night and you need to get some sleep before you fall over and get hurt.”
Theodore nodded and went back to his room and collapsed onto his bed beside Caiti. She cuddled up beside him and pulled a blanket over the both of them before falling back asleep.
Caiti and Theo are so cute.