“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.”
In moments like this, Bernard felt his heart tightening. Katelynn, his Katelynn, his innocent and sweet Katelynn… killing people? He felt raped by the sole thought of Katelynn killing people. If it wasn’t because his training had saved him from a possible death, he would have refused to believe it. The world never would be the same again.
But the friendship and love Bernard felt for her didn’t change. He got up, and rushed after her, grabbing her wrist.
“NO!!” he exclaimed, shuddering slightly, yet not willing to let her go. “I’ve faced assassins, villains, cellmates, all the worst of this city, and you aren’t any of that! Katelynn…” he managed to reach her shoulder. “You aren’t a killer. Psycho FORCED you to do it. It was he the one who killed, using you as puppet. You didn’t kill anyone. HE DID.”
His voice was slightly harsh, full of venom in the Psycho’s parts, tender and soft every time he talked about her. If Katelynn had looked at him, she would have him she wasn’t the only one crying.
Bernard cried with her.
“It was still me..” she whispered with such a dead pan voice – trying to block out her feelings. It was too hard, much too hard having to deal with their pleading. She felt like she was letting them down.
When she had let herself down.
“It doesn’t matter..w-what you say..I should have stopped it..I-I…I’m sorry..I..have to go.”
How badly she just wanted to turn around, wanted to jump into Jack’s arms and let him shield the world for her. But she couldn’t. She had to deal with this.
“I..I do still love you Jack..I’m s-so sorry…”
And she ran, giving them a whispered “Goodbye…” as her bottom lip trembled, hoping Jack wouldn’t follow her.
She wasn’t sure if she could stand it if he did.
Oh, he wanted to follow her. He knew he should, and later on, he would rage at himself inside for not doing so. He was weak, just like he’d always hated and feared – he couldn’t even chase after the love of his life when she needed him most.
But right now, in the moment, Jack was too stunned, and broken by Katelynn’s confession. He watched her disappear through the museum doors, unable to speak, or even breathe for a few moments.
It was only when she was gone that he finally found his voice. “Sh-she … she can’t … no …” Hugging himself, Jack leaned against the wall, silent tears running down his face. His voice was a weak, choked whisper. “What am I going to do now?”
Jack Maple 