Whisper In The Wind

"Excuse me? You think this is my fault. You better start looking around for something, anything, because I did not cause this."

Garrett motioned the fire chief to his side and explained the situation. "Okay, Miss Chadwick. I promise we'll check around and see what we find."

"Yes, Mr. Doyle. You do that," Caitlin said as if she were the parent scolding the child.

"Caitlin," Garrett said his arm around her shoulder.

"Don't treat me like a child, not now," she said, pulling away from Garrett. "I deserve answers and someone will pay." She stared the two men down and Mr. Doyle returned his crew.

"You need to calm down," Garrett said, taking her arm.

"No." She yanked her arm away. "My house is gone. My possessions are gone. I will not calm down." Caitlin stormed away and stood by Jen and the trunk. With her feet planted on the ground, her arms crossed in front of her chest out of protection rather than defiance. Tears filled her eyes, but refused to fall.

Jen put her hands on Caitlin's shoulders. "We'll take care of you. It's time to leave."

"No. This is my home and I'm not leaving."

"It's time to go home," Garrett said lightly touching her shoulder.

The last wall fell and with it went her hopes and dreams. As her head drooped, she muttered, "I don't have a home."

"Yes you do," Garrett said.

"Really?" she said, turning her angry face to him. "It looks to me like some jerk burnt it down." Tears streamed down Caitlin's soot covered face.

Garrett took a deep breath. "My house is your house. Come on, you need a shower, food, and rest."

"No." Her anger boiled over and she pounded Garrett's chest with her fists. "You promised nothing would happen. You lied to me. You lied to me." She fell to her knees in exhaustion and with uncontrollable sobs. Garrett knelt and wrapped his arms around her. His hand massaged her back and hair. "We'll get through this together. I am so sorry, Caitlin."

With a deep breath, she pushed back onto her heels, but kept her face down. "I have to stay and see if anything's left."

"Not tonight, sweetie. We'll come back in the morning. I promise."

"Cait, let Garrett take you to his house," Jen said, her arms around her best friend. "You need rest."