“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?”
Bernard froze in shock, not wanting to believe his ears. Even when he could see the truth into her eyes. Katelynn never would lie to them. But before he could do anything, she already had left.
“SHIT!” he exclaimed angrily, punching the wall. It hurt, but his heart ached so much more. For Katelynn, for Jack, but especially for her. What kind of friend he was, if he couldn’t save her?
It’s just like Rapunzel, again...
It was them when he listened Jack’s whimpers. At that moment, Bernard felt something insiode him explode. No. He wasn’t going to give up, much less het himself drown in the fear.
“What are you going to do? WHAT ARE GOING YOU TO DO?” he turned around, and grabbed him by the shoulders. “I’ll tell you what we are going to do! WE’RE GOING OUT THERE, AND WE’RE GOING TO FIND HER, OR MY NAME ISN’T BERNARD JONES!!!” he practically screamed, he couldn’t help it. Right now, finding Katelynn was his first priority. Finding her, they might find clues about Grace, too. At least they knew one thing, Katelynn was wearing his jacket.
Letting Jack go, he walked to the door, and took out the keys from his pocket tho close the Museum. This building already had seen enough violence.
“C’mon, Jack! We have to find her!”
But Jack didn’t follow him.
His heart and nerves had already been weakened by days of loneliness and fear. Katelynn’s rejection now had weakened him even more, and Bernard shaking and yelling at him was the last straw. It was exactly the wrong way to handle someone like Jack Maple – with a quiet sob, the blue man sank to his knees.
None of it mattered.
I found her again, I tried to bring her back, and it still wasn’t enough.
I couldn’t save her.
He wasn’t crying anymore. There was nothing left to cry out. He could only stare blankly out the glass doors, at the darkening city outside.
I’m sorry, Katelynn.
Jack Maple 