Run to You by Tawnya Jenkins

don’t know what to do anymore.  I have contemplated killing myself, it wouldn’t be hard to overdose on some medication or even throw myself off of a bridge.  My dad’s voice in my head is the only thing that prevents me…and then there’s Travis.
      When my phone rings I nearly jump out of skin, it’s a number I don’t recognize and I immediately get tense.  Taking a deep breath I answer.
        “Hello?”
        “Hi-uh Chloe?” A man asks.
        “Who wants to know?”
        “My apologies,” he chuckles, “I’m Caleb.  I got your number from Travis.  I own Retribution and I was just calling to see if you were still interested in a job.”
        “Caleb?” I ask, that name sounds familiar.  “I-I don’t know, it’s not really the best time for me right now.”
        “Oh, I understand.  That’s unfortunate, I have heard great things about you from your instructors and I think you’d make a great addition to our team.  Are you sure there is nothing I can do to change your mind?”
        “I don’t think so, not right now at least.  I appreciate the offer though I really do.  I just, well I’m not sure I want a career as a Lawyer anymore.”  I admit.
        “Oh?” He says.  “May I ask why?”
        “It’s actually kind of personnel, just going through a major life crisis right now.”
        “Ah, I see.  Well Chloe, if I may offer some advice,” he pauses.
        “Um, okay.” I answer.
        “Everyone goes through a life crisis at some point, life has been known to throw us all curve balls once in a while and rarely plays fair.  You have to decide if you want to allow the ball to hit you smack dab in your face or you want to come at it swinging.  Now, when I first heard about you I pegged you as a heavy hitter, and to be honest I didn’t get where I am in life by being wrong.” He says with pride.
      Something about his description appeals to me, I do want to be a heavy hitter.  I do want to get Cole and every other horrible person in the world that wrongs an innocent person.  I want to attack that person with everything I have because people like Mac and my dad aren’t here to defend themselves anymore. 
        “Chloe? You still there?” He asks.
        “Yeah, I…I think maybe I will give it chance after all.”
        “Excellent!” he exclaims, “I knew I was right about you.”
        “I just um have one small request.” I say.
        “Name it,” he replies.
        “Could you maybe not tell Travis that you talked to me or that I’m working there,” I ask.
        “That could be difficult since he is the one in charge of security, but I’ll see what I can do.  He’s been off all this week, seems he’s dealing with his own life crisis.  Can you be there tomorrow at 8am?” He asks.
      Hearing that Travis hasn’t been to work in a week makes my heart sink.  Maybe it’s not because of me.  Maybe he just, got busy with a fire or started school or something.  I agreed to meet with Caleb in the lobby of his building at 8 in the morning and then I did something stupid…I checked my voicemail.  They’re all from Travis, taking a deep breath I hit the number 1 to listen to them and brace myself.
      First message :  Chloe? Come on Chlo, please don’t do this, you don’t have to do this alone.  I’m here for you, we can deal with this together.  I love you Chlo, please call me.
      Next message:  Please, blue eyes.  I-I don’t know what to do here.  I know you went home, but I don’t know where home is.  I know that this place doesn’t feel like home anymore, not without you.  It’s empty, I’m empty without you Chloe. Please let me in.
      Next message:  Katie just picked up your stuff, are you back? What happened? I’m dying here.  I die a little more every day that you’re gone.
      By the time the last message plays I’m already balling my eyes out.
    Last Message:   Do you remember