My alarm goes off, jarring my quiet mind. I don’t even move to turn it off. I can’t. I’ve barely moved since the letter. I don’t even know how long it’s been. Eileen managed to carry me up to my room that day and I haven’t really left it much since then. I sigh and open my eyes so I can’t be haunted by Autumn’s face.

“Hey you.” Eileen whispers, coming into my room and turning off my alarm. “How are you doing?”

I look at her but don’t say anything. I don’t know what to say.

“I’ll bring you some food up in a little bit. I have to go to class.” She smiles at me, touching my hand for a second. Then she walks out the door.

***********

“Okay, no more lying around.” Eileen says, coming into the room. “Levi Belle, it’s been three weeks. Lying here isn’t going to do you any good.”

She stands with her hands on her hips. I look at her but say nothing. Has it really been three weeks?

“Come on, I’m not going to let you lay here and waste your life away.” She reaches for me.

“Stop.” I sigh.

“No, let’s go. You need to get out of here. Lying in bed isn’t helping anyone.”

“What’s the point? She’s likely dead. I can’t save her.”

Eileen pulls me up and jumps on top of me, pulling my face close to hers. Her mouth is set. I close my eyes and sigh. Part of me yearns for this contact, but part of me just wants to be alone.

“Don’t. Don’t you dare give up on her. If she’s so important to you, how can you let her down like this? Believe in her. Be strong like she asked you to. What if she isn’t dead? You lying here, failing your classes and not getting into the police force will not save her.” She says sternly.

I sit there for a while, not speaking. Eileen’s words slowly make their way through to me. She’s right. If Autumn is still alive I won’t be able to find her if I don’t have the resources I can have as a police officer. The only way I can get to resources is if I get out of bed and go to class.

“Fine.” I mumble.

Eileen smiles and gets off me. “Great. Let’s get you shaved and ready for class then!”

**************

Eileen lies against me on the blanket. Above us the night sky shines with stars. I feel her shiver in the autumn wind and pull her closer.

“So you have an interview tomorrow?” She asks.

“Yes. The chief from the Hidden Springs is heading up to campus tomorrow to interview me.” I say.

She slowly moves her hand on my chest. “Should I look for a job there too?” She whispers.

I close my eyes and don’t answer right away. Eileen’s from Isla Paradisio, nowhere close to Hidden Springs. She’s asking if we have a future together worth moving away from her family for.

I think back over our relationship. She stuck with me through loosing Autumn, and pulled me together afterwards. She’s the most supportive person I know and has done everything in her power to help me overcome everything. Autumn was right, Eileen is a wonderful woman. I’d be foolish to let her go.

“I’d like that.” I reply.

Eileen smiles and moves up, twisting against me to press her lips to mine. I welcome her kiss, pulling her tighter to me. She slides her hand up to my cheek and swings her leg over me. After a minute she pulls away, giving me a soft kiss on my nose.

“I love you.” She whispers.

I smile and pull her back against me into a hug.

“I love you too.” I say.