I was only here for her. If she’s gone…
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I am numb as I walk to her room, numb as I peer inside to find it empty.
Was she here yesterday?
The day before?
When exactly did they take her?
I sit on the bed. It’s stripped now, down to the rubber-covered mattress. There’s not a thing left of Calla in this room.
I stare out the window, at the scenery that she stared at. The tree, the sky, the rosebushes.
“Are you Dare?”
A voice comes from the doorway, small and timid. A girl.
“Yes, I am.”
She approaches me, and sticks her hand in her pocket.
“Calla asked me to give you this.”
She hands me a tiny parcel, wrapped in Kleenex.
“Thank you,” I murmur and she rushes away.
I tear the tissue off, and find her brother’s St. Michael’s medallion, and a note.
Hold this for me. I’ll see you soon.
She’s never without her brother’s medallion. Ever.
It’s her most precious possession, and she’s given it to me.
It’s her way of promising that we’ll be together again soon.
I slip the silver chain over my head and tuck it into my shirt.
Days pass.
Without Calla, they are empty.
But every time I worry, I run my fingers across the medallion.
She’ll be back.
She has promised.
Twelve
Nights pass slowly without knowing when I’ll see Calla next.
When I sleep, I dream of her. The dreams are so vivid that I can smell her and taste her. I can hear her voice. When I wake, alone, it’s crushing.
A nurse tries to take the St. Michael medallion from me.