Remember

17

Caitlin opened her eyes as the plane touched down in Venice. She was here, she had made it. She had been terrified that she would be caught, and had hurriedly done everything in the fear that she'd be caught. She hadn't really relaxed, until the flight had taken off, and even then, she was terrified that she would get caught, and the plane would turn back. But she had finally made it. Here she was, in Venice. She wondered what was happening back at home, had they realised that she was missing? Were they looking for her? She hadn't left a note or anything. She had just sneaked off in the middle of the night 

She couldn't care about that now she thought, as she exited the airport. She needed to find Barry, her Barry. She was hot, and felt sticky. She quickly brought herself some water, and brought a burner phone. She couldn't take a chance and leave any evidence behind. She went into a shop, and brought a wig and glasses. She didn't want anyone to recognise her as she walked around.  She quickly found an Internet cafe, and googled Barry's stables and address. It was quite near the airport, so she took a taxi there

She got out and looked around. Barry had done really well for himself she thought. She was walking around looking at things, when one of the horses started neighing at her. Caitlin walked up to it, and started stroking it

"Hello you. It's been a long time. I'm surprised that you still remember me. Have you been taking good care of Barry for me?"

Caitlin started feeding the horse, and stroking it. She remembered a time when she and Barry had been riding it. That felt like a lifetime ago. When they were young and free and in love, and no one was trying to keep them apart. What had happened? What had they done wrong? All they had done was fall in love with each other and yet to everyone else, it was a crime. She looked around and saw a stable, with her name on it. She smiled and remembered how Barry had always promised her he'd name something after her, once he made it big. She looked around but couldn't see Barry anywhere. Where was he? She saw a commotion outside, and followed it. She wandered what was going on

"Barry is introducing everyone to his new fiancée"

Caitlins whole body froze. No, she hadn't heard right. Her Barry wouldn't do this. He'd promised that he'd wait for her. She nearly fainted at what she saw next. There was Barry and his fiancée. No, no, this was not possible. She tried to stop her gulp, and tried to leave, but her legs were not moving. She forced her legs to move, and ran away. She turned around and took one last look at Barry. His eyes met hers, and she shook her head and ran away. She passed the horse and stroked it

"Take care of him for me"

Caitlin ran to her hotel room. No, this couldn't be happening to her. She had left everything and everyone behind, as she felt that she couldn't trust anyone and that they were hiding things from her, in the hope that if she came here, her Barry would be waiting for her, and that they could restart their lives. But no, fate had played a cruel trick on her. The one that she had left everything behind for was no longer hers. She wondered what to do now? She couldn't go home, and admit her parents were right. She had come this far to prove them wrong, so how could she go back?  She was really naive she thought. Her and Barry's time was done, and she had refused to believe it, and come out here, to try and pick up where they left off.

Caitlin took a walk the next day, and found herself at the river. Their river. She looked around. It hadn't changed, everything was still the same. She felt like it was mocking her, it was still the same but everything else had changed. She looked across the river, and everything that had happened she remembered. How they met there secretly, how she would just lie in his arms for ages, next to the river. They would lie there and plan their future. How stupid were we thought Caitlin, we didn't think that anything could go wrong or people might change?

"Barry, your stables are in trouble. We need new investors"

"But I have a silent partner"

"Good. Maybe we can ask them. We need to rebrand everything"

"I don't know where she is"

"Well you better find her, otherwise the business is done for"

Barry went to an investor meeting, trying to drum up support for his stables. He then went to the after party, hoping he'd get some interest.  He heard an ankle bracelets noise as someone walked past. He smiled, remembering how she had loved ankle bracelets, and how happy she had been, when he got her one. She had worn it anywhere and promised never to take it off

"Caitlin, over here" he heard someone say

Barry turned and froze. It couldn't be, could it? Caitlin, his Caitlin was standing infront off him, talking to some people 

Duff duff duff. Poor Barry and Caitlin. Will they ever be happy? As always, feedback appreciated