Cliché

g to the rhythm of the wind. There was a certain heaviness in the air that spoke of loss. Nata

ssage repeated. A muffled sob erupted from her lips that were now clasped by her hand. Scurrying from her bed, she quickly lifted the teddy and held it to her heart. It smelt like him. Of course

times he had held her

ough her mind like a movie. Those were probably the only times, Natalie felt hope surge in her. Those were the only times, Natalie felt like she belonged. She remembered how he scooped her up in his arms and held her quietly when her past caused her emotions to si

et go." She heard his smooth voice gl

harply, her free hand now splayed on her chest. It felt like her throat was stapled shut, and there was no way she could either talk or breathe. All she could do was whimper in pain that no doctor

Holmes C

one and pressed it

her throat "Here." R

soften his tone "Listen

er hand, dropping the toy on the table. It was the both of them at the annual fair. She was holding cotton candy, and he

as planned." Malcolm ans

he could either tell Malcolm the truth about how she was falling apart without him, or she could tell him a lie, that s

ide. She didn't want to answer him. She didn't want to let him know that she was indeed miserable. But the more she remained quiet, t

any help." Wiping the tears that slipped from her eyes, she clenched the phone tighter "I knew this would happ

sn't surprised. It was her area of specialty, she told herself, She was an expert in

ate him, not more than I already have. I proved to him what he had asked me to do." Tryin

t,

one who cares about me anymore." She sighed "I've done enough damage as is

then a resigned sigh. Natalie knew she had wo

can't."

colm said, "You take

'm sorry for all the tr

he'll be able to handle it. He kno

ust before the call ended,

ea

aw blood and cleared her throat before

ness, Natalie carried in her heart. 'Please tell me, I didn't. Please.' That was all she thoug

were children. You changed him for the better. He was happy around you. He smiled a lot around you. He seemed like a madman

done those things to him? She refused to believe that anything she

" Natalie felt her heartache grow stronger at t