Atticus & Caitlin

I blushed a little. "Thank you baby."

Caitlin

"You're welcome, but I'm just telling you the truth."

"Well thank you all the same," I said and kissed him.

Caitlin

"I'm going to get dressed and then unfortunately, I have to run." 

"Okay baby. Be careful on the way to work. I love you."

"I love you too. I'll see you later." I finished getting ready for work and left. Really, really wishing that I didn't have to.

I cleaned up the house but by the time it was done it was only noon. I didn't really have anything else to do so I headed up to the attic. It had needed to be cleaned out since before Atticus and I had gotten married. I spent a good few hours cleaning and gettin things organized. I came across a box marked 'mementos' and decided to take it downstairs to look through it. I sat down in the living room and opened it, smiling when I saw an old teddy bear on top. I sat it on the table then picked up a photo album. I opened the cover and started looking through it. There were pictures of him when he was younger and of an old couple that must have been his parents. There were pictures of him training and at some kind of ceremony. I was almost at the end of the album when I stopped... feeling like I'd been stabbed in the stomach. I couldn't breathe. 'Atticus & Declan, graduation ceremony'. It was a younger version of him but there was no mistaking the man that still haunted my nightmares.... I felt the album fall to the floor as the door opened.

"Hey, I forgot my wallet on the dresser," I told her as I walked in and then noticed the album on the floor and the terrified look on her face. Oh, no. She knew. "Caitlin, I can explain."

"Explain. Explain what? How do you know him?" My heart was pounding, I felt like I couldn't catch my breath, and I couldn't see straight, but my voice was frighteningly calm.

I didn't know what to say...except for the truth. "He was my cousin but we were raised together like brothers. Caitlin, he left when he turned 18. He became really rebellious and hooked up with a bad crowd. I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you sooner I just didn't want you to think that I'm like him. I'm not baby, you know that."

"I can't believe you didn't tell me." I picked the album up and closed it before putting it back in the box. "How could you not tell me," I said as I slowly got up.

"Because you still have nightmares and they've gotten a little better over time. I didn't want to possibly set them off again."

"You still should have told me. I can't believe you kept this from me. You're related to that... that monster." I shook my head, trying to clear it. "I have to go. I have to get out of here."

"But that isn't me, Caitlin. I've never been like him and I never will be, you have to know that by now." I reached for her hand but she pulled hers away before I could take it in mine. "Where are you going?" I asked her.

"I don't know. Anywhere but here." I moved past him and towards the door. "You're not like him but you lied to me. That's bad enough. I can't be around you right now."

"Will you at least tell me where you're going so I won't be worried?"



"I don't know where I'm going. I'll take my cell with me though. I just... I need some time... away from you."

"I...I understand. Can I atleast check in with you every now and then? To make sure you're alright?"

"You can text me or something. Don't call me. I... I'll see you later." I grabbed my jacket and my purse and left.

"Dammit!" I yelled after she had left. I went upstairs to grab my wallet and even though I badly wanted to go after her, I talked myself into going work and left.