Broken Dreams(175)

***



“I would like to apologize for my behavior,” Henry said. “You’re correct. I need to listen to everyone else’s opinions. It was completely out of line. I know you’re still angry with me about the whole…well, you know. So, please, I beg you to accept my apology.” Henry held out his hand, and Nick looked amazed.

“Wow…that must have been some talking to from Elaina.” Nick took Henry’s hand and slowly shook it.

Henry smirked. “You have no idea, mate. She was brutal to me.” Henry ran his hand through his hair. “Let’s go back in there and make plans. I would like to leave soon. The snow is coming.”



***



When Henry and Nick made it back to the dining room, I had already eaten a half jar of tomatoes while watching them. Henry sat and downed his cup of blood, like he usually did. He folded his arms on the table and rested his head on them.

I took a glass of whiskey and drank a few sips. After a minute or so, Henry picked up his head, and his eyes sparkled with a brilliance that I hadn’t seen in a while. They even looked a bit happy. He smiled at me and stood up, then began digging through the boxes and bags.

“What are you looking for?” Sophie asked.

“I was wondering if you grabbed all of the maps that were…” He stopped. He held up what looked like a notebook or a journal. He whipped his head around at Sophie. Her face was full of fear and sadness.

“Why didn’t you tell me you brought these?!” Sophie just looked at him. She was speechless. “Did you read any of these?” Still no response. “I asked you a fucking question!” He dug down into the box and found a stack of similar notebooks. “Answer me, damn it!” He was furious, and I had no idea why.

“Henry, just calm down. I’m sure Sophie or somebody,” I looked at Claire, “will explain.” I stood up and walked over to him. I reached my hand out to take one. He took a step back. “What are they?”

“They’re his journals.” Sophie’s voice was soft and melancholy.

“Aww, cute!” I said excitedly, ignoring Sophie’s tone. “Can I see them? What kind of juicy details from your past do they hold?” I reached out for them again. Henry pulled away with haste and dropped a couple by my feet. Before he could grab them, I bent and picked one up. He tried to snatch it out of my hands, but I had a death grip on it. I started reading and he hung his head.



8/4/2014



Dear Mum,



I was nearly caught yesterday. Gunther showed up at a bar I was at with Elaina and her friend, Claire. He told me that Roger said I needed to get back to work, but I refused. Then we got into a major physical altercation. I am so lucky that the ladies didn’t hear what he was saying to me. He told me that if I didn’t inject someone soon, Roger would be dragging me back to the complex for punishment. I didn’t care. I want nothing to do with the program anymore. I’m worried that he will bring harm to Elaina. When I arrived back at my flat today, Gunther had broken in and stolen the virus. I’m really worried. Our wedding isn’t that far away. I have to protect her. I need advice…I’m lost. I wish you were here to help me.



I love you,

Luke.



I looked up at Henry. I was blind with rage, but my voice was calm and quiet. “You knew?”

“Elaina, please, let me explain.” The fear on his face was evident.

“There’s nothing to explain. It says it all right here, Henry! You were supposed to inject the virus into someone!” Sophie sat with her head in her hands while I raged at him.

“Why didn’t you tell me you grabbed these?!” Henry screamed at Sophie.

“I forgot,” she cried. “I’m sorry.”

“You forgot?! You’re sorry?!” Henry laughed with a frightening aggression. I stood there, stunned, reading revealing entry after revealing entry. “I can’t believe this. Well, it’s all out there now, isn’t it, Sophie? Thank you for not allowing me to tell her in my own time.”

“Don’t you dare put any blame on Sophie!” Claire stood up and yelled. “She thought she was doing something good by bringing you your journals.”

“So you knew, too, then?!” I bit out. “What the fuck?!” I didn’t know what to think. My best friend didn’t tell me about them; Sophie was crying; and Henry was scared, but raging mad.

“Tell her, Henry.” Claire crossed her arms. “Tell Elaina what your initial mission was.”

Henry spilled his guts, finally telling me every last gory detail of the mission. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Elaina, I tried to fight him off. He stalked me for months. There were so many times that I was unraveling over his presence. I didn’t want to do it. Yes, I originally intended to use you, but I fell in love with you from the moment our eyes locked that night. Look…look here.” He opened his journal to October 24, 2012. I read his entry, and fell apart. I didn’t know if I should be pissed or happy.