“Oh Katelynn, no.” A lump rose in Jack’s throat as he struggled not to cry as well. Unable to hold back any longer, he reached out for Katelynn, wanting to pull her tenderly into his arms and comfort her, the way he had so many times before. “Th-this isn’t your fault, none of it! It … we’ll fix it. It’ll be okay …”
He wanted so much to believe that. It had to be okay. Katelynn couldn’t have been brought back only to turn away from him again. The world couldn’t be that cruel.
Bernard felt his heart breaking, watching her like this. This wasn’t fake, it couldn’t be. He could see now her ees more closely, they had returned to ther usual color. Looking back to Jack, he could see her lover needed to hold her. And who was he to keep them separated?
The curator touched gently the blue man’s shoulder, forcing Jack to face him just for a moment, and leaned forward to talk to his ear. “I-I think she’s OK. I’m going to open the cage. If things get bad, well… I’m ready.” he whispered, before pulling back. Bernard tok out the keys from his pocket, and opened the door of the cage, opening his arms to welcome her.
“Come here, Katelynn. Everything will be alright… Just come to us, please…”
They were trying to coax her, trying to be kind and tell her things were okay but they had no idea.
None.
Turning to look at them as she lowered her hand from her wound, Katelynn took a deep breath and willed the courage to keep looking at them in the eye – mainly Jack.
“I’ve k-killed…Jack..my h-hands are soiled..it will never be okay…”
She tried getting the necessary energy, pushing herself off the bars to get to the entrance and leave. She needed to be alone – needed time to deal with this.
Walking by them hurt. Not looking at them hurt but she held back her sobs and just let the tears flow. She would let herself cry until after she left.
“I-…I need to leave…d-don’t follow me…please.”
“Katelynn, please don’t go!” Jack called after her. He wanted to rush after her, but his feet felt rooted to the ground. She’s killed people? Please god, no, let it have been a bad dream, the drugs, anything …
“W-w-we’ll take care of things! We’ll work this out, it’ll be okay! Just please, don’t …” His voice finally broke. Tears ran from his green eyes. “Don’t leave me again."
Jack Maple 