Coralie nodded, as she watched Court exit the door of her bedroom, her father following close behind him.
Both Coralie and Katelyn stared at the door from where the two men had just departed.
After a moment of still silence, Coralie began, “Mom –”
Katelyn turned to her confused daughter, and said, “Cor, come on downstairs ... your father and I would like to have a word with you. We have some important things to discuss...”
Chapter 20
“Court?!?!?” Cal called out after him, as he descended the stairs. “Courtland?!?!?” he called again, this time with more severity in his tone of voice. “I would like a word with you – please...”
Court stopped, just as he had opened the front door, feeling the cool night air. He inhaled a heavy, disgruntled breath of air, and then turned to face Cal.
Cal stepped just past him, closing the door quietly. “In my office...” Cal said, as he turned and walked inaudibly calm toward his office.
“Yes, Sir...” Court said, following close behind, turning only for a moment to close the double doors behind his entry.
Hearing the doors close, Cal began. “Courtland, I wanted to address some things – things that I may have said before –”
“Forget about it, Sir...”
“No, Courtland, I can't – I know that you know ... as well as I know that you do not approve –”
Cutting Cal's words off, Court started to speak with furor. “You’re right, Sir ... I do not approve,” and he paused to lower his tone, remembering his upbringing over his passion, “and all due respect, Sir, I think that what you are doing to her is quite unfair.”
“Courtland, there are some things that you just do not understand...” Cal said, taking a stab at justification.
“You are dead-on, Sir ... I do not understand!” Court said, with fury held tight beneath the surface. “I think that it is time that she knows the truth. You are putting something off, and trying to protect her … but you know very well, that the only way that this can truly be done is for her to know the truth ... and we'll do rest...”
Cal gave release to an irritated sigh. “You have NO idea – I mean, you make it sound so easy...”
“Mr. Collier, I must say, it must be easier than –” Court tarried on his unspoken words, trying to calm his anger. “I mean, what you and Mrs. Collier have been doing to her –”
Cal abruptly cut Court's words where he stood. He spoke through his uncontained rile, “Do NOT dare question our methods! You know absolutely NOTHING! It has been for her protection, and her protection alone!”
Court retracted respectfully. “My apologies, Sir ... for my words, it seems, I have indeed carried them too far...” He paused, allowing his rage to turn to sincerity. “It's just that … I care for her, Sir...”
Countenancing his own composure to calm, he spoke, “I know that you do – We, Kate and I have decided to tell her, but it's got to be on our time, Court. What you did this afternoon … I know that your intentions were good, but –”
“I just...” Court interrupted unintentionally, “I just wanted her to know ... I just wanted to be able to show her that she's special ... I wanted her to know the truth … Is that so bad?”
“Court, I understand your motives, but you must leave this to us ... we will handle this. As her parents, you will respect our wishes, won't you?”
“When?” Court barked, trying to contain his anger. “When will you tell her?”
“Soon, Court … we are planning to tell her very soon.” Cal paused. “In fact, I have an ingenious idea.”
“Oh, yeah … what’s that, Sir?”
“I think a family trip may be in order ... what do you think of that, Courtland? Do you disagree?”
“Where exactly do you anticipate taking her?”
Cal allowed a smirk to spread across his face. “To the old homeland, of course...”
* * * * *
Court shut the front door behind him and descended the front steps, removing the buzzing phone from his pocket.
“Hello, Sister...”
“Did you forget how to answer your phone? I have tried to call you like twenty-seven times.” Criston bantered to her brother, not allowing him room for much more than the hello he had answered with.
“Yeah, sorry – just trying to avoid yet another annoyance in my day...”
“Hey… oh, wait a minute... Uh-oh, I sense trouble in paradise...”
“Yeah … just had a meeting with Cal Collier, High Chief in Great Decision Making,” Court said, sarcastically.
“Meeting went that good, huh?”
“You could say that … I'll give you details later...”
“Oooh, I can't wait!” Criston interjected.
“But not now, it's just not the best time...”
“Wait a second – do you not even want to know what I've been up to?”
He let out a low bellowed laugh. “You want me to guess?”
“Oh, come on, Court – just pretend that you can't for just one second, and let me actually tell you something...”
“Oh, alright … go ahead, I won't steal your thunder...”
“I've been tracking...”
“Oooh, tracking – I'm intrigued! What? Did you get some sort of lead?”
“Okay, King of Sarcasm, give it a rest!”
“Didn't like my acting skills? Were they too much? A little over the top?”
“Anyway, Brother – so, guess what I'm about to do ... right now...”
“What do you mean?”
“What do you mean, what do I mean?”
“I mean, you are joking, right? Is this a trick? You're serious...” Court said, reading his sister before she allowed herself to speak a word.
“Yeah, I'm relocating! My mission has been moved! That’s great, huh?”
“To where?” Court shouted.
Criston snickered. “Wait – you mean to tell me that you don't know – this is great!”
“Criston, where?” Court spoke, impatiently.
“Are you not going to let me relish in the moment, not even for a second?”
“Criston, this is important! I haven't seen it!” Court suddenly stopped in an attempt to calm himself, unsuccessfully. “I need to know!” he roared in desperation.
“Oh, dear Brother … I could toy with you, just a bit!” Criston said playfully.
“Criston...” Court growled through his teeth.
“Okay, okay ... I'll be nice ... it seems that I'll be leaving Romania...”
“And relocating to where?”
“Funny thing … I’m on my way to Greece. That’s awesome, right?”
Court fell silent at her last word.
How? Something wasn't right.
He had just talked to Cal Collier. What was the likelihood of Criston being relocated to Greece? That had not been part of the plan. He remembered it vividly. He was in on the meeting with his family, during planning of his sister's strategic placement in Romania.
Yes, plans can be changed ... but why now?
With his mind running rapid, swirling his thoughts round and round, he knew he had to figure this one out quick.
What was going on? Who was on the inside? Something was definitely not right.
He had to uncover what was going on immediately.
For Coralie.
For her protection.
Whatever he had to do, he had to do it fast. But would it be fast enough? That was the chance he had to take.
He thought of Coralie. Her eyes, the way she looked into his, as if she were looking for answers hidden within his soul. His heart was whole with her. He was whole. Any chance was worth taking for her.
“I've got to go!” Court said, suddenly, interrupting Criston in mid-sentence, and ending the call. Snapping the phone shut, he looked back at the Collier house. He saw Coralie descending the staircase that led into the foyer from up the stairs. He watched her.
So graceful. So beautiful.
So innocent. So special.
Yes, he thought to himself, any chance was worth taking...
Chapter 21
Coralie heard the door to her dad's office shut, as she descended the last step of the staircase. “What's up, Dad?”
“Umm ... Oh, hey kiddo! ... What do you mean?” Her father asked, looking as if he were hiding something.
“Well, Dad, I know you pretty well...you've got that look...”she said, observantly.
“What look?”
“The look – you know, the I've got something to say, but I don't know exactly how to say it look...”
“Oh, right ... that look...”
“Yeah, that one, so ... spill! What's on your mind?”
He put his arm around her, walking his daughter into the kitchen. “More than I could ever express in a one-hour session, kiddo...”
Katelyn was spooning Chicken Alfredo out onto plates that sat in front of her. “Dinner's ready...”
“Smells de-lish, Mom...” She said grabbing one of the food-filled plates from the countertop. She walked with her food in hand, into the dining room, taking a seat at the table. Cal and Katelyn followed her, eyeing each other with doubting looks.
“So, Dad...” Coralie started, “Are you going to let us in on your big secret or what?”
“What?” he said, almost choking on his most recent, un-chewed bite of food.
Katelyn looked at Cal with panicked and quizzical eyes. She swallowed her food hard. She had no idea what was about to come out of either of their mouths. Or where this conversation may be heading.
Were they ready for this? Answering Coralie’s questions? Telling their daughter the truth?
“What's going on? I've never seen you this nervous...” Coralie asked her father.
“Umm ... well, kiddo ... I've been, well actually both of us,” he said, pausing to glance at Katelyn, “your mother and I, have been ... well, we've been wanting to have a bit of a chat with you...”
“About what? Is everything okay?” she questioned, with a slight hint of fear in her voice.
Katelyn eyed Cal, somewhat afraid of what he was about to say.
“Well, I thought that we, as a family, could discuss –”
“Dad, if this is about the dreams that I’ve been having … just forget about it. It’s nothing, really...”
“Honey, it’s more than that.”
“Then what, Dad?”
“Well, I thought we may discuss ... taking a family trip...”
Katelyn let out a loud sigh of breath, one that she'd obvious been holding. She was confused, relieved and disappointed all at once. She turned to Cal with questioning eyes.
“A trip? Where to?” Coralie shrieked with excited confusion.
“Umm... well I thought we may take a trip to ...,” he paused, stuttering and stalling, “… well, I was thinking...”
“Dad...”
“I was thinking … what about Greece?” Cal finally stammered out, as his eyes met Kate's. Her eyes widened.
Greece ... Coralie thought to herself. Why did that word strike her as oddly important?
“Greece?” Coralie exclaimed. “Why Greece?”
“Why not?” Cal countered. “There are some great histories out there,” Cal started his explanation, still searching, “and I've wanted to find some time to get some genealogy research done before my summer internship research group starts. We’ve got family history there. There are some gorgeous beaches, great landscape, beautiful architecture ... the opportunities and benefits are endless. It would be great family time...” He paused, trying to read her reaction.
“Wouldn't you love to visit Greece ... again?” Katelyn added, hoping to spike some interest.
“Again … right … funny thing, I don't remember much of Greece...” Coralie eyes narrowed, but she didn't dare show her parents. Something was up. She could hear it in their voices.
“Well, Honey, you were very young ... and it has been a long time since we've had to travel there. Not many kids would remember...”
“What about school? I can't just leave...”
“I'll speak with Nigel in the morning...”
Coralie turned to her mother for solace within her confusion. “Mom ... Are you in on this, too? Do you agree with Dad?”
“Honey, it does seem like a great opportunity for travel – not many kids your age get to do this kind of thing,” Katelyn said, playing the guilt card. “Would it really be so bad to get away with the family for some rest & relaxation, moreover rest? Something, I believe, that we are all in dire need of...”
“But what if –”
“What if what exactly?”
“What if I don't want to … I mean, what if I don’t want to leave just yet...”
Cal finally spoke again. “Coralie, this trip is imperative ... I could leave it to you to make a wise, adult decision, but we just don't have the time...”
“So that's it ... no discussion, no nothing...”
“No discussion ... Forget waiting until morning, I'll speak with Nigel tonight and make the arrangements ... “
“Dad –”
“Coralie, I said 'No Discussion'...” Then he rose from his chair at the dining table to return to his office, leaving his plate still half-filled with food.
“Mom –”
“I'm sorry, dear, but you heard your father –”
“But he's never like this – is he upset with me? Did I do something wrong?”
“No dear, I think you just better roll with your father on this one...” Katelyn said, calmly.
“No –” Coralie said, through her teeth.
“What Honey ... did you say something?”
“Yes – I said ... No –”
“Coralie –” Katelyn said, with astonishment.
“No, Mom – I don't know what's going on with you guys ... you're different ... the both of you are so different … Something's up – I don't know what, but it's something ... and I'm not leaving the country until I find out just what you guys are hiding...”she said, pushing her away from the table.
“Cor –”
“By the way, Mom … my passport says that I've been to Greece seven times – seven – you would think that I would remember something ... wouldn't you?” Then she rose from her seat.
“Coralie, you're right – there is more, and I can explain –” Katelyn started in desperation.
Coralie looked at her with aversion. “What Mom? What could there possibly be to explain ... you’ve been lying to me...”
“It's just - I don't know ... I mean, I can't find the right words –” Katelyn stammered.
“Forget it - I've got to get outta here!”
“Coralie ... wait –” Katelyn called after her daughter. “Please, Cor ... wait –”
But Coralie was already running.
She ran through the waving wheat field beside her house. She could hear Jacques barking after her. But she couldn't turn around now. Not yet. She needed time to think. Time to clear her head.
She didn't know where she was going or how long it would take to get there. She just wanted to run. To get away. To get as far away from everything as she possibly could.
Things around her were changing. But not her parents, too. She needed them. She needed them to be the same unfailing, supportive parents she had always known.
That was it. She had to go back. She had to talk to them. She had to tell them everything. About her dreams. About her memories. And of course, the holes … The holes in her memories. The holes that disallowed her from evoking her memories. The holes that prevented her from recalling her life.
... There's more – I can explain ...
Coralie allowed her mother's words to run through her mind again and again. She knew that she should have let her mother speak. There was more ... what did her mother mean by more?
Though there were holes in her memories, it seemed that some things were started to seep through the cracks. But what was it that could be
causing these holes, these cracks in her mind? If she found out what was causing her to forget things … if she could just find out what had been causing these holes ... then maybe, just maybe, she would be able to remember what the holes were hiding ... and then perhaps, just maybe, she could get her memories back. Maybe even be able to find out who she really was ... because as of this moment, Coralie had no conception to what was and was not reality.
She took a deep breath as she came to a stop. She was in the woods now. How far had she run? And how fast?
I have to go back ... she thought to herself. I have to talk to them. I have to figure out the truth.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. The crackle of the earth beneath them was voluble and unnerving. She slowly turned to see a dark figure standing in front of her. The dark figure started to take a step closer, but Coralie didn't give them a chance. She turned to run, but felt a hard, heavy hand plant onto her shoulder and pull her backwards against the darkness.
Chapter 22
“Cal, we have to go after her...” Katelyn screamed at her husband in a panic.
“Where did she go?”
“I don’t know, but we –”
“What happened? She just ran out ... and you let her?” Cal started.
“What was I to do?”
“I don't know ... here’s a thought stop her!”
“How? By force? Cal, that's not us! That's not how we operate! What has come over you? She could get hurt, Cal!” she shouted back. Then trying to reclaim her poise, she took a deep breath. “This is all our fault...”
“Kate, settle down ... she will be okay...” Cal said as he picked up his phone. “Yes, Court...”
“Mr. Collier, is everything, okay?” Court asked on the other end of the line.
“Yes, we are all fine...” Cal said, trying to cover his worried words.
“Not all of you. Coralie - where is she?” Court asked.
Realizing he could not fool Court, due to his Gift, Cal backed down. “Court, she has run off. And she was pretty upset … of course, this, leaving her mother in shambles...”
Empyreal: Awaken - Book One Page 12
