All Too Late

Kathleen was at a loss for words.

Charles is at Caleb’s place?

“I called him over,” admitted Caleb sheepishly. “But I wasn’t being sneaky or anything. My sister is sometimes lucid, sometimes not. She said she wanted to see your brother.”

Kathleen nodded in understanding.

“I’m leaving now.” Caleb opened the door, only to see Samuel standing there.

The expression he bore was dark as he glared at them, but he was also quite out of breath.

Seeing Caleb coming out of Kathleen’s room, Samuel was clearly unhappy.

“Well, I’m off, then.” Caleb patted Kathleen’s head and turned away.

For some reason, Kathleen was a little embarrassed.

She looked at Samuel and asked, “Why are you here?”

“I heard there was a power outage.” She could see Samuel’s Adam’s apple bobbing as he spoke.

And you’re afraid of the dark.

“I’m all right. Caleb happened to be around,” replied Kathleen. So that’s why he’s here.

Samuel pursed his thin lips.

She must have been terrified at that time, but there was another man by her side. Caleb was smiling so heartily before I arrived, too.

Something agitated Samuel, and he began to cough.

Kathleen immediately walked over to support him. “Come in and sit down.”

“Okay.” Samuel nodded and walked into Kathleen’s room.

A cursory glance of the room showed that it was spick and span.

His breath suddenly eased quite a little.

Kathleen helped him onto the bed and sat down. “Why are you panting so much?”

“The power has just been restored, and the elevator can’t be used yet. I was worried that you’d be afraid and alone, so I ran all the way up here.” Samuel’s breathing had yet to slow down.

“You should mind your physical condition.” Kathleen frowned.

“I’m worried about you.” Samuel looked at her deeply, his voice getting lower and lower. “I was truly worried.”

do anything too strenuous for a while. What if something

Samuel was

a sigh of

beside him and asked,

sent this over. He made it

Samuel didn’t speak.

I could

Would you like

shook his head. He couldn’t stomach anything his rival

not think of

to Caleb. He promised to give me the medicines,” said Kathleen between

Samuel pursed his lips.

ache

you leaving?” Kathleen

came.” Samuel looked

before replying, “But I’m

happened between the two. They looked odder than usual. Samuel did not care that Caleb knew how to make women happy.

Samuel, but

back.” Samuel stood up, a gloomy expression on

pursed her lips.

to the door and

mind; her gaze was

Samuel

his lips and

is how she felt when she saw me and Nicolette. Or perhaps it was likely more gut-wrenching than this. Tit for tat. I

Charles had his gaze directed

somewhat lucid, but she weaved in and out of clarity

sharp twang of

he loved, and now she was reduced to a shell of

really hard for him to accept

I here?” Vivian’s pale and bloodless face revealed doubts. “Shouldn’t we be in Pollerton, in school? Where is

home,” Charles said after

at her unfamiliar surroundings. “Are you kidding me? My home is very beautiful. The decor is warm, homely, and quite romantic. You’ve even been there before, and you’re saying

Vivian

that she used to be quite

reduced to this,

your home,” said Charles with

why am I bound? Hurry

to let go of her, but he

Vivian had the

still remember what your room

so beautiful at night, but I can’t see anything from