Chapter 15:

The gate beeped and then opened I left a piece of my cloth a few feet inside so he would know I made it in.

“Katie!! Where have you been?”

I looked up tiredly. Isabella was heading towards me with worry clear on her face.

“I…uh needed space to think.”

She slapped me. It had so much force behind it that I fell to ground bewildered. She hefted me up again and set me on my feet. My face was still stinging from the hit.

“Now let me ask again. Where have you been?”

“I was outside the gate with a little girl.”

“Little girl?”

“Uh yeah Candy, I mean Candace.”

“The con girl? Wow you got yourself some nice friends.” She muttered sarcastically.

“I would like you to know she is like a sister to me. So don’t you dare talk trash about her in front of me. Oh and by the way, you ever lay another finger on me I will personally make sure you won’t have any left to lay on me.” I didn’t realize somebody was watching us until a cough came from the tree line. I looked over as Nash sauntered his way up to us.

“Ladies. I didn’t know you all had such a fiery side.” He said.

I almost slapped him but he looked genuine.

“Well, well, well what did the cat drag in?” I replied laughing, glad that my bad mood was lifting.

“Well the cat caught me when I was following her so she brought me to a kick-a*s girl.” He bowed at the last part. “Your Holy Bitchiness.”

I pretended to be offended and gasped.

“Do not speak to me in that manner, you’re a peasant. What is thou name?”

“Nash m’lady”

“Jack-a*s? Oh what a lovely name. You are dismissed now.” I finally said after seeing Isabella’s face scrunch up in anger.

 

Nash strutted over to where Isabella was standing and threw an arm around her shoulder, which she shook off huffing. Nash pleased with her reaction laughed.

“To what do I owe the honor of being in your all’s presence anyways?”

“Joel sent us after hearing that you ran away from Deloris. She has been worried sick to tell you the truth. And when she heard there was a security breach over at checkpoint 21B she flipped out, thinking that she lost you forever.”

“Joel? Oh never mind about him. Where is Deloris now? And a security breach? Candy knew the password.” I questioned.

“Deloris is in the garden; she hasn’t left since you ran from her. Yes, a security breach because only one person may be allowed to exit at a time and she drug you out without waiting to put in the second key so we instantly knew someone was with you.”

“Tell me she has eaten in the week I have been gone. And I’m not surprised at the last part though, Candy was in a hurry.”

“We have given her food but she refuses saying, she will eat when her child returns home.”

“Oh my god! Ok then I have to go back now so she can finally rest and eat.”

I took off running…again. After making it into the building I stopped for directions several times to make it to the garden. Arriving, I found Deloris sitting on the same bench playing with my father’s ring.

“Do you mind if I sit with you?”

She looked up and I could tell how much worry I caused her because she had dark circles beneath her eyes and wrinkles on her forehead. She got up as fast as possible and gave me a hug that lasted for eternity. When she let go she had tears streaming down her face and onto the cement floor. I whispered I was sorry and sat down beside her.

“Deloris…eh I mean mom?”

“Yes, darling?”

“Will you please go eat something then rest?”

“I promise I will but I wanted to give this back to you first and tell you how much I loved you and missed you over the years.”

“I know mom but we’ll talk later after you have rested.”

She grabbed my hand and placed my father’s wedding ring inside.

“Keep it safe will you?”

“Of course.” I gave her another hug that promised love and regret.

“Thank you love.” With that she got up and left and I sat there and twirled my father’s ring on my finger. I didn’t say anything, not even when Joel came and sat down beside me a few hours later.