Page 22 of The Tourist

A soft knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. I sit up as the door creaks open and Chloe steps inside, her face etched with worry.

“Can I stay with you tonight?” she asks. “I… I feel safer with you.”

“Of course,” I say without hesitation. “Come here.”

Chloe crosses the room, her steps timid. She slips into the bed beside me, her presence immediately soothing some of the tension I’m carrying. She lies close but not too close, respecting the invisible boundaries we’ve set between us.

“I’m glad you’re here,” I admit, surprising myself with my honesty. “I need company tonight.”

She looks up at me, her eyes softening with understanding. “Has something happened?”

“Eaton called,” I explain. “He says he has another lead on Serena, but we’ve been down this road so many times. I just… I can’t help but worry this is another false hope.”

“We’ll find her,” Chloe smiles at me. “I believe that.”

I nod, appreciating her confidence, but the doubts still linger. I need something to take my mind off the incessant worry, and talking with Chloe does that.

“Why did you decide to be a journalist?” I ask her, wanting to distract us both from thinking about my sister.

She smiles. “I wanted to make a difference by reporting on important stories and shedding light on issues that need attention. I never thought I’d end up living through something like this, though.” She pauses before she continues, “They say you write best about the things you know. I guess that’s true. Now I have a story to tell that I hope will help others.”

Her words hang in the air, a poignant reminder of the journey we’re both on.

Shifting slightly in the bed, I take Chloe in my arms and hold her gently. I feel the warmth of her body against mine, and for the first time in a long while, I feel a flicker of peace and something else, something I don’t want to examine too deeply at the moment.

“Thank you.” I murmur. “For being here.”

She snuggles closer, her head resting on my chest. “Thank you for everything.”

It doesn’t take long for Chloe to fall asleep, and the steady rhythm of her breathing makes me sleepy in turn. As I close my eyes, I can’t help but think about the bond developing between us. Chloe’s becoming an important part of my life, and I worry what it will mean for us both in the future.

CHAPTER15

Chloe

Iwake up to the sound of Diego’s voice as he talks on the phone. I can’t make out the words, but I sense concern in his tone. Something’s happened.

I slip out of bed and make my way to the kitchen where Diego is standing, his back to me.

“I’m ready,” he says, his voice tense. “Be here in ten minutes. This lead better be solid.”

He hangs up, and turning around, he smiles when he sees me. “I need to leave for a few days. The lead on Serena has been confirmed.”

“Really?” I try not to let hope flood into my body.

Diego has encountered so many wrong turns during the six months he’s been searching for Serena.

“I hope so,” he replies. “Eaton feels confident about this, but we’ve had so many false starts. I just... I can’t let myself get too hopeful. But I have to go. I have to find her.”

“I understand. I’ll be fine here. You go and bring Serena back. I’ll get her room ready and make sure we have everything we need to help her.”

I ignore the nagging thoughts in my head about what she will be like when she does return. I can’t worry about that at the moment. I need to focus on the fact she will be coming back to us soon.

Diego steps closer, and taking my hand, he squeezes it reassuringly. “This compound is secure. If you need anything, you can speak to the bodyguards I’m leaving here to protect you, and you can contact Shelby, Eaton’s wife. Plus, I’m just a phone call away, okay?”

“Okay,” I nod. “Be careful. Come back safe.”

He pulls me into a tight hug. l’m still uncomfortable with the thought of human touch, but it’s different with Diego. I need his embrace, and all I feel when he holds me is warmth and affection.

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