Chapter 2

I wiped my tears on my shirt sleeve as I looked into the dark barn, allowing my eyes to adjust. God, why do things have to change like this? Why did mom have to die? Why does dad have to fall in love with Madeline? Why?

I walked over to Nickers stall and opened the door. I put her hackamore on and led her into the paddock before mounting. I leaned over hugging her neck, "Come on Nickers, we're going." My already cloudy eyes began to tear up again, I trusted Nickers to keep me safe so I didn't even bother to look up. "Go!" My voice cracked as I gently squeezed her sides, she instantly started off at a trot. My eyes continued to blur over but I held on tighter because I knew what was coming up next, Nickers soared over the fence and started again at a canter as her hooves hit the ground.

She continued on, leaving the hurt behind. We began to slow down to a trot, before stopping abruptly; I looked up seeing that she had stopped in front of the Coolidge castle. The dark had completely closed in around us leaving the dilapidated old three story house looming over us ready to swallow us whole. Lizzy was right, it was getting colder out at night which just added to the eeriness of the scene before me.

I slid off of Nickers and took her reins in my hand. A gust of cold night wind blew, Nickers shied then sidestepped, that's when I saw it. A large figure- at least seven feet tall- standing in the shadow of the house, they were dressed in all black and seemed to be staring right at me.

"Who is that?" My voice was shaky and quiet as I tried to shout over the howling wind. "Who's there?"

Churchill, Rice, and several other cats flooded out from every direction as a voice came from behind us. Someone came out of the dark, it was Catman. "Lawn ornaments." He said, I don't know how long he had been there or why but I was glad that it was him.

I walked closer towards the dark figure. Only then did I see that it was a tall Santa Clause dressed up like the grim reaper. I should have known, it was October and Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge's favorite time of year for putting up their lawn ornaments.

A large raindrop landed on my head, more followed. This was going to turn into a downpour fast. I raced the lean to that Catman had insisted putting up for when Nickers and I visited. I made sure that she was comfortable before turning around and knocking into Catman. I wasn't crying anymore but even I could tell that my eyes were red and puffy. I didn't want to let Catman see that I was crying so I turned around and pretended to be interested in a patch of mud clinging to Nickers rump. I knew that he was staring at me trying to piece everything together; I turned around to face him.

He finally broke the silence, "You're gonna have to crash at my pad tonight." I knew that he was right, I couldn't possibly try to ride Nickers out in this weather. Then he did something that I didn't expect from Catman, or anyone for that matter.

He reached out and grabbed my hand in his. It felt good, very comforting, as if in that one gesture alone he told me a thousand words. It was like he was saying 'everything's going to be alright'. For the first time this night I actually made eye contact with him, his blue cat-like eyes were showing more emotion than any other person could show with just one look.

"We should go inside." He said, once again being the one to break the silence. I nodded, knowing that there was no other way. We ran to the front door and burst through dripping wet. It was only when we were both inside with the door safely closed behind us that Catman let go of my hand. I would have done anything to feel his hand in mine, it was almost enough to make me forget my current situation.

Catman left so I walked over to the red velvet couches. The inside of Coolidge castle is amazing. I slid down to the floor not wanting to get the couch wet. I pulled my knees up to my chest and closed my eyes, instantly wishing that I hadn't as my photographic memory showed a terrible picture. The one of my mom with her head against the steering wheel of our old van, blood was trickling down her forehead and her arms lay limp at her side. I tried to get the image out of my head but it was pointless. It was my fault that she was dead. It was my fault that dad was going out with Madeline and not still with mom. The Willis family's life was ruined and it was all my fault.

Rice, Catman's long-haired white cat, came over to me and began to rub against my leg purring. I sniffed realizing that I had tears in my eyes. I reached over to pet Rice and noticed Catman standing in front of me. I quickly wiped my eyes but I knew that he saw me, I didn't know how long he had been standing there.

He walked over handing me a towel; I gave him a weak smile and began to undo my extremely messy braid. By the time I was able to half-way dry my hair it had turned into a huge knotted wet pile of frizz. I could tell that this was going to take forever to untangle but decided to give it up.

Catman only had to take one look at me before saying "Far out."

"No, Catman! Not 'far out', it's terrible!" I cried, slumping down and leaning into the couch, burying my face deep into my hands.

"Chill Winnie, it's cool." Leave it to Catman to say something like that during a time like this.

Note to self: don't expect any boy, especially Catman to understand your problems.

I wiped my eyes and sniffed for the millionth time this night, I looked at him, he didn't say a word but I answered his question anyway. "It's a really long story."

"Bart and Claire are on vacation, won some contest." He had finished drying himself off before sliding down to the floor next to me. He sat Indian style, propping his head up with his hands, and staring intently at me as if to say "It's just us, I've got all of the time in the world."

I sighed and looked down at my lap; once again I didn't want to look him in the eye. I had always been able to tell Catman anything, why was it hard for me to do something as simple as look at him now? The activities of the day are catching up to me and before I know what's happening a sob escapes my lips. I'm not sure what's happening, everything is going by in a haze. I just start talking; most of what I'm saying doesn't make sense as I try to scramble the facts, my thoughts, and my feelings together. I don't know how long we've been there, and the truth is that I don't care. I finally finish, looking up at Catman with tears streaking my cheeks, "It's all my fault!" I manage to get the last part out before completely loosing it.

My heart jumps in my chest, without any warning he gently pulls me close. I continue to sob against his shoulder, "It was my fault." My voice hoarser than normal "I was the one who wanted to go out in that storm! Mom would be alive now if it weren't for me, it should have been me! " I sobbed my voice cracking. I didn't try to speak anymore, but that's when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I jumped, turning to see M wearing a forlorn expression; I could tell that he heard everything.

WreckItRalphFan: I hope that you enjoyed it! Please review, anything is helpfull. If you have any constructive criticism it is greatly appreciated, I will take any chance I get to improve!

The cover art is a drawing by me. :) I'm thinking about entering it into the fair this summer, what are your thoughts?

God be with you all!