Chapter 17: "Goodbye"

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“Theo!” A female voice echoed through the hall behind him.

He spun and watched her fight through the people filling the halls as she ran towards him. Their eyes turned and the way parted as she pushed them aside. Her face became visible. Purple and blue bruises littered one eye. Her nose was tilted to the side and swollen at the bridge. He could feel his blood boil from the sight.

“Kari?”

She rushed up to him and he suddenly felt like this was a dream he’d had a hundred times. She hesitated a step before lunging forward and wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

“I’m sorry.” Her breath was coming in gasps as she spoke in his ear. The sudden weight of her against him reminded him that this was reality and not some distance fantasy.

“I’m sorry,” she repeated. Her arms tightened around his neck. His arms came up about her slender waist. She had grown so tall since they had stopped talking, but she was still as thin as a rail.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be your friend. I never hated you, never. It’s just Mother. I couldn’t.” Her voice faltered.

“It’s okay. It’s alright. I get it,” he soothed. His hands came up to the center of her back as he hugged her tighter. Though she was thinner than Riley, she had a toughness about her that grounded her. He didn’t feel like he was going to break her with his hug.

“No, it’s not. None of this is okay. None of it. I should have been your friend. I should have been there for you the whole time. With Becca, with Dexter.” She pulled back. Her brown eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “Before Riley.”

Theo felt the corners of his mouth creep up. He knew it. He knew he should have asked her out. “There’s still time for all that.”

Kari spread her hands out on the front of his chest and pushed some distance between them. She stood square and set her jaw. The purple on her face flex as her muscles worked. “I’m out of time. I’m sorry. I have to go.”

Theo’s brow furrowed. “Go? Where? Why? I jus--,”

“It’s Mother. I have to get away from her I can’t go back. They’re waiting for me.” Kari tipped her chin up to look over her shoulder. The hall was starting to clear, but two police officers stood at the other end watching them.

She pulled away from him with a backward step. “I’m sorry,” she said again and turned.

He watched as her long brown hair, which seemed to be missing a chunk, flew over her shoulder as she turned. It was as if it was all happening in slow motion and he could do nothing to stop it as his mouth hung open. He blinked once. He had to. He had to stop this. He reached out and snagged her wrist.

“Wait.”

Kari paused. Her dark eyes swung back to him.

“Don’t go. Stay with me. Please, Kari, don’t go.” His voice felt like a plea in his own throat, but it was the truth.

Her dark eyes looked to his own. She turned back to him. He could feel her racing pulse from her wrist beneath his hand.

“I can’t,” she whisp...

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