Callum & Harper (Sleepless 1)

“And if we, I don’t know, wanted to start dating other people?” She asked, averting her eyes.

Would she want that?

“Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea, Harper. It’s only for a year. Besides, I think we’ll both be distracted with school,” I offered, hoping she didn’t see my obvious attempt at making her stay single when I was around. I couldn’t stand the thought of another person liking her the way I did.

“That’s not an unreasonable request,” she said, shyly smiling back at me.

Oh my God. I think Harper is actually considering marrying me. My heart swelled in my chest and I felt an unbelievable amount of happiness roll over my entire body. Realization donned on me. I felt hot all of a sudden, unsure if I was fake-marrying her for the wrong reasons. Who was I kidding? I wanted to fake-marry Harper for the wrong reasons. Nothing alarming about that, old chap.

“Okay, let’s just get through this night,” Harper said, interrupting the alarming thoughts I cheerfully pretended didn’t exist.

“Alright, here, save my seat,” I said, standing up.

“Where are you going?” She asked.

I pulled the detective’s card from my back pocket and flashed it her way. “Just going to check.”

She nodded but I could tell by her tensed body language she was frightened.

“It’ll be alright, I promise.”

I walked to the payphone just across the street, still within view of Harper and stuck my quarters in before dialing the number on the card.

“Detective Mason,” he answered.

“Hi, Detective Mason, it’s Callum Tate. We just wanted to check on the status of John Bell’s case. Have they decided on the charges?”

He breathed hard into the phone. Not a good sign. “Yeah, the D.A. decided vehicular manslaughter fit best. Sorry, Callum, I know you were looking for more serious charges considering the circumstances. Erica’s family’s pretty upset too.”

“What about his threatening Harper?”

“Well, since he didn’t actually do anything to her, there’s nothing much we can do there.”

“He threatened her life! And what about all the things Harper told you about when they lived together in the foster home?”

“Again, if she had filed charges then, we’d probably be able to get something on him now but we just can’t, Callum.”

“So, essentially he has to do something heinous to her in order for you to get involved?” I asked in disbelief.

He sighed loudly again. “No, but he technically didn’t do anything directly to Harper. I’m sorry but my hands are tied. This does not mean that you shouldn’t take his verbal threats seriously. Just be careful.

“Also, listen, he posted bail early this morning.”

All the breath seemed to suck from my chest at those words.

“Alright, thanks Detective. Uh, I’ll let Harper know.”

“Keep her safe, son,” he said.

“I promise,” was all I could think to say and hung up.

I returned the card to my back pocket and stuck both hands in the front pockets of my jeans, dreading the walk back to Harper. She read my face from across the street and stood, wrapping her arms around her torso, shifting her weight from foot to foot. Tears began to cascade down her beautiful skin.

“No,” she simply said. “No, no, no, no, no!” She then screamed, bending to sit on her ankles and hugging her knees.

I ran to her, scooping her up into my arms and gathering her to my chest.

“Shh,” I said, running the palm of my hand over her hair. “He can’t find us, Harper. He can’t do anything. He’ll never be able to find you because I have a plan. You’re going to fall off the face of this earth. He will not be able to find you.”