Page 159 of Dark Duet: Platinum Edition

“We have to go,” he said.

Slowly, we reclaimed our bodies from one another. Tears stung the backs of my eyes, but I wouldn’t let them free. Caleb needed me strong, and I was determined to give him everything he needed.

Silently, we went about prioritizing. Caleb pulled up his pants with a grimace and started barricading the door. I made myself useful by finding a bag and tossing in anything I thought we might need: the gun, clothes, a first-aid kit I found in the bathroom. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

Caleb walked into the bathroom and turned the shower on. I didn’t think we had time for it, but I knew better than to ask questions. With shaking hands, he removed his pants and stepped beneath the water. Blood and dirt quickly coated everything.

I thought about stepping in, but one look at Caleb and I knew he needed time alone. The water was steaming hot, clouding the bathroom. I turned on the fan but remained an otherwise-unobtrusive presence. At one point I heard him sob, but I remained on the floor, keeping silent vigil.

He’d been in the shower less than ten minutes before he turned the temperature down and stepped out. He silently grabbed a towel and walked out into the bedroom. My shower didn’t last nearly as long, but by the time I stepped into the room, Caleb was more like himself.

“Time to go, Livvie,” he said and gave me a smile. It was feigned, but I appreciated the effort. I tried to make my smile more convincing.

The house felt empty –eerilyempty. No Felipe. No Celia. No Rafiq. Caleb offered no answers and I asked no questions.

It was hot outside, even early in the morning. I realized it had been a long time since I’d walked outside, beneath a glaring sun. I was wearing clothes. I was…free. My steps faltered as the realization hit me. FREE!

“The truck isn’t far. Keep moving,” Caleb said numbly.

I could feel myself getting choked up, excited laughter bubbled out of me. “Where are we going?” I asked with joyful tears in my eyes.

“Please don’t ask. Just come with me.”

I looked at him, the pain on his face palpable. This was not the time to argue with him. Whatever he was doing, it was a very big deal. It would change everything between us, but he’d asked me to come with him – and when the man you love asks you to go with him, you go.

We walked for less than a mile, but I marveled at the sheer size of Felipe’s estate. Whatever he was into, it was certainly profitable. Finally, we found the old truck we had arrived in. I was surprised it started right up.

Caleb hadn’t said much, and though he seemed in much better control of himself, I knew whatever had happened still weighed heavily on him. I reached for his hand across the seat and to my surprise, he not only held my hand, but squeezed it. As we left Felipe’s house, I stared at the gravel road in the side view mirror. It was really happening. We were leaving – together. I wiped tears from my eyes for nearly twenty minutes.

We traveled for several hours before I forced Caleb to break his silence. “I’m hungry, Caleb.” I looked at him and rubbed my stomach.

“We can get some food and water when we stop for gas. I want to keep moving for now,” he said. His eyes never left the road, but his thumb moved back and forth over my hand.

“Okay,” I said. “Will we…be driving long? You know, before we get wherever we’re going?”

Caleb squeezed my hand and closed his eyes for a second. “We’ll be on the road for about sixteen hours, maybe less. We can stop for the night once we’re close.”

I didn’t like his tone. It was too…sad and distant. “Where are we –?”

“Kitten!” he admonished. He shook his head, “I mean…Livvie. Please. Stop.”

Anxiety churned in my stomach. I didn’t like this at all. I squeezed his hand. “You don’t have to call me Livvie if you don’t want to, Caleb. To be honest, it’s kinda scaring me.You’rescaring me.”

Caleb’s face seemed to crack for a second, and I caught a glimpse of his sadness before he relaxed his features. “Don’t be scared, Kitten. Everything’s going to be fine, I promise. You won’t ever have to be scared of me again.”

“What do you mean, Caleb?” I whispered.

“It means I’ll take care of you,” he said.

“We’ll take care of each other. I’m stronger now, Caleb. Whatever happens…whateverhappened, we can handle it together. Okay?”

He was quiet for a long time before he replied. “Okay.”

“I love you,” I said.

Silence.

We didn’t make any unnecessary stops. We went to the bathroom and picked up food whenever we needed gas. Getting Caleb to talk was a bit of a chore, but he seemed very interested in my life before we met. I avoided talking about my family – my brothers and sisters, my mom. I knew I’d never see any of them again and thinking about it hurt too much to talk about. I had Caleb now and he needed me.