Will You Still Love Me After This Mistake?

Heal

I hesitate before walking up to her and putting my arm around her to comfort her.

"One night, he called me, and said, 'I love you. I always will. I just-I just can't anymore. I'm sorry, Baby.'" Jessica lifts her hands to her face. "I was stunned by what he was saying. I couldn't understand. So I was just there, sitting on my bed, saying, 'Santiago, what do you mean? Santiago, answer me! SANTIAGO!' I was tempted to go to his uncle's house, but I knew he wouldn't have liked that, especially since it was night already. So I went to his favourite place on Earth. He used to like to go to this place, just beyond this bridge. It was a clearing in that forest," She points to the forest behind me. "He used to bring his camera with him, to take pictures... He used to love taking pictures." Jessica looks down to the camera around her neck. "Anyways, so I go there, and I do find him. He's just... He had hung himself on a tree and he had left a note for me, with his camera, telling me to take real good care of her." She sniffles, and I hug her. At first she stiffens, but she gives into my hug after a moment. I let her cry into my shoulder, as she wails Santiago's name.

I take a look at Santiago's forest. It doesn't look very welcoming, but Jessica says that he felt comfort coming here. She says the clearing is beautiful. She had planted some flowers for Santiago to take pictures. She said that was over three years ago though, but the flowers still grow.

. . .

Justin Carter

I call my girlfriend because I had gotten a really bad feeling about her. When she doesn't answer, I get paranoid. I decide to go to her house, to see if she's home. I stop mid-thought. I don't know where she lives though. I smack my palm to my forehead.

I am such an idiot...

I call Pattie's number a few more times, getting angrier by the second. I think about how in some movies, the stalker would track the cell number, all the way to the girl. I shake my head, disappointed in myself. Why would I need to stalk her? I guess I wouldn't have to stalk her if she would answer her damn cell! I call her one more time, and when I hear her voicemail, I leave a message:

"Answer your damn cell, damn it!"

Desperate, I jump out of bed and rush down the stairs. I have a very bad feeling about this. I stumble a couple of steps, but regain my balance and run out the door.

I decide to sprint, for it was the fastest way to travel around the city. I could've taken my car, but I feel like there'd be traffic, so running would be faster. Being an ex-football star, my cardio wasn't too bad. I swing my head in all directions, trying to figure out which house would be Pattie's. I feel a drop on my forehead. I look up, just as another drop lands on my chin. Soon, it starts pouring.

"Where are you..?" I cough, in between puffs of air, ignoring the cold rain soaking my clothes.

If someone I knew died, what would I want to do? Would I want to stay home? Probably not. If I was trying to block the world out, where would I go? Somewhere where there aren't much people. Somewhere far from the city, maybe. I draw a map in my mind, seeing if there are any places outside of the city where someone who wants to be alone would go. I'm so wrapped in my thoughts, I don't realize the lights turn red, signalling not to cross the road.

Screech!

The sound of tires against asphalt rings in my ears. Bright lights flash in my eyes, blinding me. I feel like a deer trying to cross a highway. I feel the cold, wet road under me. My clothes, already soaked, try absorbing the puddles on the ground. I smell burned rubber, and the smell of rain. They don't make a good combination. My head throbs, and soon I'm surrounded by two people yelling to see if I'm alright. A man and a woman. A couple.

Patricia.

I force myself up, even if my muscles scream for me to stay put. The couple tells me to stay while they call an ambulance. I push them out of my way, and attempt to run. I collapse back onto the road. I desperately suck air into my lungs. Black splotches block my vision, and I feel dizzy as if I'll pass out.

No, you can't pass out. Keep it together. Find-

A wave of exhaustion washes over me. I feel myself weakening. I feel hands on my hips, so I smack them off. My hips and elbows burn painfully. I feel them throb. I cup my elbow in my hand, as I feel blackness try to take over my mind. I look down to my hand, and almost start panicking. Dark red, warm liquid sticks to my hand.

"It's going to be okay, kid. We'll get you to the hospital and get you fixed up. We just need your name. Mind telling us what it is?" The voice sounds distant, but I see the man right in front of me, behind the black in my eyes.

"Patricia. I need-" I croak weakly, threatening to pass out at any moment.

"Patricia? Your name's Patricia?" The woman demands sternly.

I shake my head, but I'm not sure if I actually do. My body doesn't seem to be obeying my commands anymore. An image of a bridge, with a forest on the other side and a highway underneath pops into my head.

That's where she is.

I attempt getting up again and fight through the struggle of keeping myself upright.

I arrive just in time-or at least I thought I did. Patty's hugging a crying girl, wailing some guy's name who I figured probably dumped her. Patty is silent while she strokes the girl's back comfortingly, but I see some tears streaming down her face. She looks so peaceful even though the tears would betray it. I debate whether I should go interrupt and be there for Patty or if I should stay where I am. Which would be better?