I CARRY YOUR HEART

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Chapter 1 ~ Monday Morning


She felt the softest touch to her lips … a breath, warm and sweet, at her ear.

It is almost morning, Catherine. I must go.

Tell me goodbye … for now.

Her mind fought against waking, fought to stay warm in his arms, fought to believe he was there … really there ...

But her clock, jangling and rude, forced her to accept the day. She opened her eyes to the pink light of morning and to an empty pillow, the bed cold where only a dream had held her.

Where are you? It’s been so long …

She struggled to have work claim her thoughts. In the shower, she gave in only to brief moments of fantasy, pushing away the dreamy shiver and imagined hands of the man she loved. There was the Erin Benson interview and the statement from Flynn O’Carroll. Lunch with Jenny … maybe … if she could muster the spirit to feign normalcy.

But nothing was normal. She had not seen him now for days, and too many nights had passed with an ominous feel to their emptiness. Not one word in a note; no tap on the pipe answered. No gift left on her balcony to let her know …

She sighed as she finished her hair ... again as she put on her shoes.

"I miss you, Vincent."

The morning soured. Another breakfast of burnt toast and bitter coffee. Late, late … lost in a reverie of worry. A nagging thought that it was time for a dentist’s appointment. Could it get worse?

“It’s only Monday. Plenty of time to nosedive,” she muttered. "And I’ll go mad if it does.”

She fumbled with her deadbolt, felt a presence behind her, whirled to see the stairwell door inch open. “Zach, you scared me! What are you doing here? Is everything all right?"

He slipped into the hallway. “I’ve been waiting on the steps for an hour. Aren’t you awfully late?”

He grinned at her and she sagged in relief. He wouldn’t smile … would he? … if something were wrong. “Yes, I’m late. I was thinking of calling in dead! But you should have just knocked,” she said. “You're welcome here, you know. Are you hungry? Can I buy you breakfast?"

He shook his head, his hand already on the doorknob. “Vincent sent me. He gave me a note and made me promise to hand it to you in person, not to leave it under your door.” He held out an envelope, her name on it in a familiar script. “He … loves you, Catherine. He’ll be back.” With that, Zach disappeared in the way of tunnel children – swiftly, silently.

“Back?” she cried, launching after him. “Where is he? Where did he go?”

The metal door snicked shut, the sound of it heavy … final.

She sat down in the hall chair to read.

Click HERE for Chapter 2.